What is the main festival of Thailand?
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is the biggest festival in Thailand and our pick for a first festival trip. It runs from 13 to 15 April, and the Bank of Thailand lists all three days as public holidays in 2027. UNESCO added Songkran in Thailand to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage on 6 December 2023.
Songkran is a family festival first. Thais travel home, visit temples and pour scented water over the hands of their elders. The famous water fights came later and now fill the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. Our Songkran guide covers the best places to stay above the crowds, and Songkran in Chiang Mai covers the north.
Loy Krathong is the second great national festival. On the full moon of the twelfth Thai month, people float small rafts of leaves, flowers and candles to thank the water spirits. It falls on 24 November 2026. Our pick for the night is a riverside table in Bangkok. See our Loy Krathong guide for the best riverside tables.
When are Thailand's festivals, month by month?
The calendar below runs from November 2026 to December 2027. It uses dates announced by organisers and government bodies, checked in November 2026. Where a 2027 date is not out yet, we say when the event usually happens and add the date once it is announced. Our 2027 events calendar and events data page carry the full list.
- November 2026: Loy Krathong on 24 November, and Yi Peng lanterns in Chiang Mai on 24 and 25 November. The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2027 ceremony is on 10 November, the Guide says. TAT's Vijit Chao Phraya river light festival runs 13 November to 13 December, and Pattaya's fireworks festival is on 27 and 28 November. The Similan Islands are open from 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027.
- December 2026: Wonderfruit runs 3-7 December near Pattaya. The King's Cup Regatta races in Phuket from 7 to 10 December, with the prize-giving on 12 December. Tomorrowland Thailand is on 11-13 December at Wisdom Valley, the Government Public Relations Department says, and EDC Thailand on 18-20 December in Phuket. Then Christmas and the New Year countdown.
- January 2027: the Thailand International Boat Show at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, 14-17 January, and Gaia Beats in Chiang Mai, 22-24 January.
- February 2027: Chinese New Year falls on Saturday 6 February; it is not a national holiday. The Chiang Mai Flower Festival dates are not yet announced. Makha Bucha is on 21 February.
- March 2027: MotoGP Thailand opens the season at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, on 5-7 March.
- April 2027: Chakri Day on 6 April, SIAM Songkran at Bravo BKK on 10-13 April, and Songkran itself on 13-15 April. S2O has not announced 2027 dates.
- May 2027: Visakha Bucha on 20 May and the 24th Samui Regatta on 22-29 May. The Bun Bang Fai rocket festival in the northeast usually takes place in May.
- June and July 2027: Phi Ta Khon in Dan Sai, Loei, usually falls in June; in 2026 it ran 20-22 June. Khao Phansa on 19 July opens Buddhist Lent, the season of the Ubon Ratchathani candle festival.
- September to November 2027: the Phuket Vegetarian Festival follows the lunar calendar, usually in late September or October. Ok Phansa, expected on 15 October, brings the naga fireballs on the Mekong. Loy Krathong is expected on 13 November 2027.
- Every month: the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, with 2027 dates from 22 January to 13 December.
For the dates when banks and offices close, see Thailand public holidays 2027. For a short list chosen for private groups, see our VIP events calendar.
What are the top 10 festivals in Thailand?
The top 10 festivals in Thailand mix Buddhist tradition, local legend and headline music. Our list weighs how special each event feels, how well it suits a private trip, and how easy it is to do in comfort. Seven are cultural, and three are international events that now draw visitors from across Asia and the Gulf.
- Songkran, the Thai New Year, 13-15 April.
- Loy Krathong, the festival of floating lights, every November.
- Yi Peng, Chiang Mai's sky-lantern nights, with Loy Krathong.
- Tomorrowland Thailand, the first full Tomorrowland in Asia.
- Wonderfruit, art, music and food in the fields near Pattaya.
- The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, with its processions and strict food rules.
- Phi Ta Khon, the masked ghost festival of Loei.
- Bun Bang Fai, the rocket festival of Isan.
- The Surin Elephant Round-up, a show of the northeast's bond with its elephants.
- EDC Thailand, three nights of dance music in Phuket.
Two more pages answer common questions: Halloween in Bangkok, for the city's party side, and the Formula 1 race people ask about. On that one, Thailand has only a Cabinet-approved bid for 2028-2032; see our Formula 1 page.
Which Thai traditions should you know?
Thai traditions shape every festival, and a few simple habits earn real respect. Most come from Buddhism and from deep respect for elders and the monarchy. You do not need to learn them all. Follow the lead of your Thai host or guide, and the evening flows with warmth instead of awkward moments.
- The wai: palms together with a slight bow. It is the Thai greeting, given first to older or senior people, and also says thank you.
- Shoes off before you enter a temple building or a Thai home.
- Temple dress: cover your shoulders and knees, with no tight or see-through tops.
- Merit-making: Thais give food to monks at dawn and donate at temples during festivals.
- Monks: women should avoid any touch and pass nothing straight into a monk's hands.
- The head and feet: never touch someone's head, and never point your feet at a person or a Buddha image.
- Water blessings at Songkran, poured gently over the hands of elders.
- Krathongs and khom loi lanterns, released only where and when the authorities allow.
- The anthem: stand still when it plays in public at 08:00 and 18:00.
- The monarchy: insulting the King, Queen, Heir or Regent is a serious crime under section 112 of the Criminal Code, and this includes online posts.
What happens at 6 pm in Thailand?
At 6 pm the Thai national anthem plays in many public places, such as parks, stations and some markets. People stop where they stand and stay still until it ends, about one minute. The anthem also plays at 8 am. Do the same as everyone around you: stop walking, stop talking and wait.
In cinemas, the royal anthem plays before the film, and everyone stands. It is a calm, moving moment, and joining in shows respect.
When do bars close for Buddhist holy days?
On five Buddhist holy days a year, shops and ordinary bars may not sell alcohol. The ban comes from a Prime Minister's Office notice in force since 10 May 2025.
Hotels, licensed entertainment venues and international airport terminals are exempt, so a hotel bar or a licensed club can still serve you. Some nightclubs and parties still close or move their date. A Full Moon Party that falls on a major Buddhist day now moves to the next day.
These days are beautiful times to visit a temple. In the evening, Thais walk three times around the main hall with candles, incense and flowers.
Which music festivals come to Thailand?
Music festivals have made Thailand a stop on the world circuit. Tomorrowland, EDC Thailand and Wonderfruit all run in December. That makes December the strongest month of the year. The Cabinet approved hosting Tomorrowland from 2026 to 2030, so the festival is set to return. Our music festivals guide compares each event in detail.
Other names come and go, such as Ultra and Rolling Loud. We list each one only when its organiser has announced dates, and we check every line-up against the official site.
Plan it with Tanner
Build the whole trip around one festival week, and let Tanner shape the rest around it. You tell us the event, the dates and who is coming. One planner books the villa or hotel, the tickets, the drivers and the tables, for two guests or a group of thirty. On festival nights our Thai staff stay close and keep a calm plan B for rain and crowds. If an event is not worth the crush, you hear it from us first.
Example plans, one festival week. For Tomorrowland: a pool villa near Pattaya, three festival nights with private transfers, and a yacht day on the quiet islands between them. For Loy Krathong: a riverside suite in Bangkok, a private dinner cruise on the night, then Yi Peng in Chiang Mai. For Songkran: a rooftop base in Bangkok and a calm escape to the islands.
See our festival VIP planning and VIP concierge pages, or browse the seasonal celebrations and private celebrations for more ideas.
