Traditional Asian Dance Festivals

Vibrant performances by dancers in colorful costumes, depicting traditional music and cultural celebrations from regions in Bhutan and China.

Bhutan, Punakha Dzong. Punakha Drubchen Festival, masked dancers. (Editorial Use Only)

Guizhou, China. Portrait of group of Miao women singers performing traditional funeral rites at graveyard. (Editorial Use Only)

LEH, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 08, 2012: Dancers in traditional Ladakhi Tibetan costumes perform warlike dance at the Annual Festival of Ladakh Heritage in Leh, India. September 08, 2012

Tarahumara spotted dancers at Easter, from the Sierra Madre, in Mexico, North America

Group of Jangam Sadhus, holy men, at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati, during Kumbha Mela festival, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Chiang Mai is known as 'the Rose of the North', but it really blooms into flower in February, towards the end of the cool season. Every year on the first weekend of February, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival is opened. The flower beds in public spaces all around the town are especially beautiful at this time of year. Everywhere there can be found gorgeous displays of yellow and white chrysanthemums, and the Damask Rose, a variety found only in Chiang Mai. Also, the pink and purplish Dendrobium orchids, and the yellow Daoruang. The real focus of this Chiang Mai festival, however, is the public garden of Suan Buak Haad on the south-western corner of the moat. The road next to the moat all around the park is closed to traffic, and vendors of plants, Thailand flowers, Thailand orchids and garden decorations set up their stalls there.

Ladakh, India, September 4, 2018: Top down view of group of women with their traditional hats on festival in Ladakh. Illustrative editorial, Asia

Durga Puja with traditional drums, Calcutta, West Bengal, India Copyright: xRanjanaxBanerjee/DinodiaxPhotox

Mask dancers, Hemis Festival, Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Asia

Myanmar, Karen State Of Kawthoolei, 'Dancers At The Karen National Union, Knu, Revolution Day.'

Japan, Kumano Hongu Taisha, annual festival, people

Masked dancer tames demons & negativity at the Monlam Chenpo, Katok Dorjeden Monastery - Kham, (Tibet), Sichuan, China

MALI, DOGON COUNTRY, SANGA DOGON DANCERS

Tibet, mask dance on the Drepung Monastery

South Korea, Seoul, Deoksugung Palace, changing of the guard ceremony,

Chinese Ethnic Dance Performance at the Kunming Ethnic Minorities Village Park, China

Los Lunas, New Mexico, United States. Of Mexican Indian decent, Chichi Mecca dancers perform at the festival of Saint Anthony.

Kayan youths at their annual ceremony, near Pyay, Myanmar, Burma, Southeast Asia, Asia

Navajo participants in dedication ceremonies at the newly opened Baca/Dlo'ay azhi Community School in Prewitt, New Mexico, Bureau of Indian Affairs-operated school serving the Prewitt and Thoreau communities on the Navajo Nation Reservation. School design, by architectural firm headed by Navajo member, incorporates Navajo cultural elements

Jakar, Bhutan - 24 September 2025: View of dancers in vibrant costumes, their red and orange fabrics a stark contrast to the deep shadows of Dzong.

China, Beijing, Ethnic Minorities Park, dancing group in tradtional costume

Tibetan people's dancing performance in the square in front of Sakya Monastery, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet, China

Chinese New Year, is celebrated with great events and shows

The Miao are a linguistically and culturally related group of people recognized by the government of the People's Republic of China as one of the 55 official minority groups. Miao is a Chinese term and does not reflect the self-designations of the component sub-groups, which include (with some variant spellings) Hmong, Hmu, A Hmao, and Kho (Qho) Xiong. The Miao live primarily in southern China, in the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Hainan, Guangdong, and Hubei. Some members of the Miao sub-groups, most notably Hmong people, have migrated out of China into Southeast Asia (northern Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand). Following the communist takeover of Laos in 1975, a large group of Hmong refugees resettled in several Western nations (United States, France, Australia, and elsewhere.).

Hmong New Year generally takes place in either November or December (traditionally at the end of the harvest season). The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Hmong are also one of the sub-groups of the Miao ethnicity in southern China. Hmong groups began a gradual southward migration in the 18th century due to political unrest and to find more arable land.

Folk Festival Gaina Mountain Romania

Asia, China, Guizhou Province, Guyang Area, Gulong Village, Lusheng Festival, Miao minority

Members of the Samdom tribe at the annual Hornbill Festival, Kohima, Nagaland, India, Asia

Zhuang woman in traditional dress at the Dragon Spine Rice Terraces Long Sheng, China.

Authentic peruvian dance

Peruvian dance Authentic peruvian dance in Titicaca region Copyright: xZoonar.com/GalynaxAndrushkox 15107662

Mask dancers, Hemis Festival, Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Asia

Nepal, Mustang, traditional thangka festival

Kalash, Pakistan - 24 December 2025: View of Kalashi women in traditional dresses and headdresses, their vibrant colors a striking contrast against the muted background.

Woman in a traditional dress, costume, New Year festival, Hmong hill tribe, ethnic minority, Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, Thailand, Asia

Japan, Nikko, Toshogu Shrine Festival

Musicians lead royal procession to King's palace, Tashichho Dzong, Thimpu, Bhutan

Malay female dancers wearing traditional dress at celebrations of Kuala Lumpur City Day Commemoration, Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Southea...

BALI, PURA TAMAN - March 2024: devout Hindus at Mengwi Pura Taman Ayun in Bali, Indonesia

Kalbeliya folk dancers dancing at marwar festival Jodhpur Rajasthan India NOMR Copyright: xMohammedxSharif/DinodiaxPhotox

mask dance, ladakh festival, ladakh, india Copyright: xHxPoladia/DinodiaxPhotox

People celebrating Bihu festival New Year celebration, Assam, India NO MR Copyright: xHarixMahidhar/DinodiaxPhotox

women performing folk dance, meghalaya, india Copyright: xJaishankarxSharma/DinodiaxPhotox

Masked dancers with skulls representing impermanence at the Cham dances, Katok Monastery - Kham, (Tibet), Sichuan, China

Traditional Chinese dancers performance at Chinatown street fair during Chinese New Year parade weekend San Francisco California

Myanmar (Burma). Southern Shan State. Kalaw. Yearly Festival. This Festival Has Both A Secular And Religious Character. A Huge Procession In The Stree...

A Tempyo Gyoretsu Procession (Japanese people dress up as nobles and court ladies from the time of the Tempyo Period 729-749ad) in front of the Great Buddha Hall (daibutsuden) of the Todai-ji temple (Eastern Great Temple), which is a Buddhist temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the city of Nara, Japan.

Bhutan, Festivals, Procession Of Priests With Horns At Padmasambhava Festival

Inti Raymi children's parade. Indigenous women dressed in traditional costumes carrying offerings.

Tibetan dancers, Lhasa, Tibet, Asia

INDIA, NAGALAND, KISAMA HERITAGE VILLAGE, December 2023, People, at Tribe of Nagaland Performing Traditional Dance, Hornbill Festival. INDIA, NAGALAND, KISAMA HERITAGE VILLAGE, December 2023, People, at Tribe of Nagaland Performing Traditional Dance, Hornbill Festival. Copyright: xZoonar.com/RealityImagesx 21700436

Asia, Indonesia, Bali. Balinese playing Gamelan music.

National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month program in Exhibit Hall, featuring performance by Chinese traditional dance group

BALI, PURA TAMAN - March 2024: devout Hindus at Mengwi Pura Taman Ayun in Bali, Indonesia

Japan, Kyushu, Kaseda Shrine, Line Of Bowed Musicians At Village Festival. In Feudal Times Kyushu Was Notable For The Power Of Its Great Daimyo Families And The Festival Celebrates The Samurai With Traditional Dance And Displays Of Martial Arts.

Q-00733-14973.jpg Q-00733-14973.jpg Copyright: xZoonar.com/BartomeuxBalaguerxRotgerx 21762921

Oaxaca, Mexico. 27th July, 2016. Celebrations on the streets of "Guelaguetza in Oaxaca" 2016 Credit: Alberto Sibaja Ramírez/Alamy Live News

Mexico, Mexico City, Patorelas Re-Enact The Nativity To Celebrate Christmas

Rowing boat during Kangen-sai Festival at Itsukushima Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Miyajima, Japan

Santa Fe, New Mexico, Matachines Dance

Palmer, Alaska, Aug. 31, 2013 The Athabaskan Raven Tribe performs their cultural dance for attendees at the State fairgrounds in a tribal relations outreach effort. The doctrine of a "government to government" relationship developed between tribes and the United States over the years in part through tribal relations and outreach. Adam DuBrowa/ FEMA.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

CHINA, Yunnan Province, Shilin County. Shilin Stone Forest- Sani Minority People- Sani Fold Dance Performance (NR).

China, Shandong Province, Qufu City. International Confucius Cultural Festival, birthplace of Confucius the great philosopher politician and educator of the 6th-5th centuries BC and Unesco World Heritage Site.

Gayan bayan singing and playing musical instruments culture of Assam India NO MR Copyright: xAngeloxD Silva/DinodiaxPhotox

Dancing dervishes, Sufis, Giza, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Dance troop with leopard skin costumes represent a region of Kham - Litang Horse Festival, Sichuan Province, China

West Africa, Mali, Dogon Country, Sangha Village, Dogon Dances, Dancers With Mask

Masked dancer tames demons & negativity at the Monlam Chenpo, Katok Dorjeden Monastery - Kham, (Tibet), Sichuan, China

Young women wearing colourful gypsy dresses, Pentecost pilgrimage of El Rocio, Huelva province, Andalusia, Spain, Europe

Nepal, Mustang, traditional thangka festival

Nihang or Sikh warriors performing stunts with wooden sticks in during Hola Mohalla celebrations at Anandpur sahib Copyright: xManoejxPaateel/DinodiaxPhotox

Dancers perform outside cathedral in annual festival of El Senor de las Soledad, Huaraz, Peru. (Editorial Usage Only)

Monks with drum, Tamzhing Monastery, Jakar, Bumthang Valley, Bhutan, Asia

Novitation Ceremony to induct young boys into the Buddhist Monastery as monks in a rural village along the Ayeyarwady-Irrawaddy River, Myanmar-Burma; Kachin, Myanmar

Almaty, Kazakhstan. 21st March 2023. Nauryz Nauryz is a very important holiday for Kazakhs, which marks the beginning of a new year. It is celebrated several days starting from 21st of March, the day of the spring equinox. Nauryz means new day, it is celebrated in the Great Steppes from ancient times. Nauryz symbolizes goodness and wealth, happiness and love and a great friendship day, since this holiday is common for many nations.

Turkey, Marmara, Bursa, Village of Cumalikizik. Traditional dress, clothing styles from the region.

Asia, bhutan, Phobjikhavalley, Tsechu festival at GangteyGompaMonastery

Eskimo women in traditional costume, Lorino village, Chukchi Peninsula, Russian Far East, Russia, Europe

Nepal, Himalayas, Solu Khumbu, Buddhist monks and long horns, Mani-Rimdu festival, Tengboche Monastery. (Editorial Usage Only)

The Zuni Indians of New Mexico

National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month program in Exhibit Hall, featuring performance by Chinese traditional dance group

cofrades en la Iglesia de Santo Tomás, Chichicastenango, Quiché, Guatemala, America Central.

Changing of the Guard, Heungnyemun, Gyeongbokgung palace, Seoul, South Korea

BALI APRIL 2024 - Kecak Dance , Uluwatu Temple, Bali, Indonesia

Tribal young women with colourful head coverings; Yawngshwe, Shan State, Myanmar

People in white traditional clothing walking on a street, Bhairahawa, Nepal, Asia

Tibet: 10th panchen lama's reincarnation chosen. Dec. 6, 1995.

Vietnam, Hue, Citadel, Imperial City, Ngo Mon Gate, Change of Guards, ceremony

Wat Pa Pao is a Shan (Tai Yai) Buddhist temple that serves as a centre for Chiang Mai's Shan community. It was built in the late 19th century. Once a year, Wat Pa Pao plays host to the luk kaeo, or 'crystal sons' young Shan boys about to be ordained into the Buddhist monkhood. Many of these novices travel to Chiang Mai from surrounding Shan communities at Mae Cham, Mae Rim, Chiang Dao and Fang. This annual Shan ceremony is called Poy Sang Long.

India, Himachal Pradesh, Festivals, Tibetans In Traditional Costume Celebrating The Birthday Of The Dalai Lama.

Chinese children performing dance display in Canton, China

Portugal, Tomar. Girls carrying the Tabuleiros in the procession are decorated with symbols of the Holy Spirit

Japan, Hokkaido, Shiraoi, Porto Kotan, Ainu village. Detail of Ainu man's costume

Colorful dancers perform a dance during the Guelaguetza celebrations in the arena of San Antonino Castillo Velasco near Oaxaca, Mexico.

Archery contest with high-technology bows and arrows. Archery is the national sport in Bhutan

People celebrating Bihu festival New Year celebration, Assam, India NO MR Copyright: xHarixMahidhar/DinodiaxPhotox

Targul de Fete de pe Muntele Gaina, Carpathian Mountains, Romania

Madrid, 01/26/2020. Chinese New Year celebration in Usera. Photo: Isabel Permuy. Archdc.

Traditional Cape Town 'Klopse' music carnival

CHINA, BEIJING, CHINESE ETHNIC CULTURE PARK, TIBETAN DANCES

England, London, Chinatown, Lion Dance Troupe In Gerrard Street With Their Lions Before Performing Through The Area During Chinese New Year Celebrations In 2006 For The Coming Year Of The Dog

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