Thailand Festivals & Celebrations

From the world's largest water fight to sky lanterns drifting over Chiang Mai, Thailand's festival calendar is one of the most spectacular in Asia. Find the right celebration for your trip.

Songkran Water Festival

สงกรานต์

13–15 April (official); up to a week in Chiang Mai)

Nationwide — biggest in Chiang Mai and Bangkok

Loy Krathong

ลอยกระทง

Full moon of the 12th lunar month — 5 November 2026, 24 October 2026

Nationwide — most celebrated in Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok

Yi Peng Lantern Festival

ยี่เป็ง

Full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar — coincides with Loy Krathong (Nov)

Chiang Mai (epicentre); also celebrated across northern Thailand

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

เทศกาลกินเจ

First nine days of the ninth lunar month — usually late September to mid-October

Phuket Town (main celebrations); also in Trang and other southern Thai-Chinese communities

Full Moon Party

Monthly on the full moon — every month of the year

Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province

Thai New Year (Songkran)

ปีใหม่ไทย

13–15 April each year (official public holidays)

Nationwide

Chinese New Year in Thailand

ตรุษจีน

Variable — January or February based on the lunar calendar; 17 February 2026

Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown, Phuket Town, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai

Wonderfruit Festival

December — typically the third or fourth week

The Fields at Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Chonburi

Thai Public Holidays 2026

Throughout 2026 — 16 official public holidays

Nationwide

Best Festivals in Thailand

Year-round — major events in every month

Nationwide

Plan your trip around festivals

The best time to visit Thailand depends partly on which festivals you want to experience. Use these guides to plan the rest of your trip.