Khon Kaen Happy Family Party to Take Place 25-31 December

KHON KAEN: -- To see off 2013 and countdown to the New Year, the Northeastern Thai city of Khon Kaen is getting ready to welcome one and all to its Happy Family Party end of year festivities.

The event, which takes place on Srichan Road by the ancient Khon Kaen gate, will see the city light up in a dazzling show with lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy from 25 to 31 December 2013, culminating in a countdown firework spectacular.

The annual Khon Kaen Countdown is a showcase for Northeastern Thai culture and a memorable way of seeing in the New Year. Recent years have seen the event grow and there are now creative light shows to enjoy as well as music, local cuisine and a firework display.

Khon Kaen Countdown 2014: Happy Family Party is expected to be the biggest celebration yet with the action based around the city gate.

One of the illuminated attractions will be a giant, decorated Kong Kao Nieo basket, representing the famous receptacles of the local sticky rice - a favorite dish, not only with the people of Issan, but among food lovers the world over.

During the week, famous local artists and musicians will serenade revelers young and old with their music and shows. The festival also offers opportunity for visitors to make merit and hope for good things in the year to come.

Source: http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news13/2211-KhonKaen.shtml

-- ASIA Travel Tips 2013-11-22

Sounds like fun.....anyone been before?

Sounds like fun.....anyone been before?

Yes - I been for the past several years.

It is excellent and probably the New Year's Eve Countdown is better than anywhere in the world. There is TV coverage of the on-stage celebrities so need to fight to the front just to see who is singing.

Certainly worth a visit - at least on New Year's Eve if not for all the evenings.

Enjoy - maybe we will bump into each other

More junk from TAT extending New Year's eve to a one week drunk fest. And, the city gate is far from ancient. This is just a ploy to get people into Central Plaza. And, the making merit is on 1 Jan about 2 minutes after the mess has been cleaned up.

More junk from TAT extending New Year's eve to a one week drunk fest. And, the city gate is far from ancient. This is just a ploy to get people into Central Plaza. And, the making merit is on 1 Jan about 2 minutes after the mess has been cleaned up.

Would have said the same thing if you hadn't, the thunder is all yours.

Well, if you two don't like it, don't go but why you have to be so negative about everything?

I live in Khon Kaen. Don't we have the right to enjoy and welcome the New Year as any other city in the World? Or is that right only reserved for people living at Manhattan? Or where you two unhappy people reside?

I am going and will enjoy and embrace another year in the amazing Thailand.

I went there last year, the kids really enjoyed the lights.

Sounds like a fun time. Hard to get hotel reservations then?

A couple of posts on here by people who really must enjoy living in khon kaen,why do you live here if you cannot/don't even want to celebrate with the locals at new year...really sad.

A one week drunk fest? yeah right!

It is a really easy going night although very busy the main street in the town is full of party people and live music and bands the park/garden next to the "ancient" gate is a glow of lights and is a great place t take some snaps and relax listening to the main stage music...i have done a few years at it now and at the end of the day it is new year....we all celebrate the world over but a one week drunk fest is a bit harsh mate....or maybe that is just you?