Events & Festivals
Thailand knows how to throw a celebration. From ancient traditions to full-on street parties, there’s always something happening. Here’s your month-by-month guide to the best festivals and events across the country.
January
New Year’s Celebrations
The year kicks off with fireworks, temple visits, and beach parties. Bangkok’s riverside shows are epic, but smaller towns also light up with their own charm. A great time to see temples filled with locals making merit.
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival (Chiang Mai)
A colorful little gem. The village of Bo Sang comes alive with hand-painted umbrellas, parades, and craft markets. It's a cozy, artsy celebration that feels very northern Thai.
February
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
The whole city turns into a garden. Expect floats covered in orchids, vibrant flower displays in parks, and the sweetest floral scents in the air. Perfect for slow strolls and endless photos.
Makha Bucha Day
A major Buddhist holiday honoring the teachings of the Buddha. Join candlelight processions at temples like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is peaceful, reflective, and incredibly beautiful.
March
National Elephant Day
Held on March 13th, this day celebrates Thailand’s beloved elephants. Sanctuaries host special feedings, ceremonies, and awareness events. A good moment to visit ethical elephant centers and learn more about conservation.
Poy Sang Long Festival (Northern Thailand)
In Shan communities, young boys are ordained as novice monks in a colorful three-day ceremony. Think gold leaf, bright costumes, and a real sense of community spirit.
April
Songkran (Thai New Year)
The biggest, wettest party of the year. Cities become water playgrounds as everyone takes to the streets with buckets and water guns. Traditional ceremonies happen too, with locals pouring water gently over Buddha statues and elders for blessings.
May
Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Bangkok)
Held at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace, this ancient ritual marks the start of the rice-growing season. Watch as sacred oxen predict the harvest in a tradition dating back centuries.
Visakha Bucha Day
Thailand’s most important Buddhist holiday, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. Temples glow with candlelight and silent reflection.
June
Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival) (Dan Sai, Loei Province)
One of Thailand’s most unique festivals. Locals dress up in colorful, spooky masks and dance through the streets to call the spirits to join the fun. It is playful, strange, and unforgettable.
Amazing Thailand Grand Sale
From June to August, big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai launch massive shopping festivals with deep discounts in malls, markets, and boutiques.
July
Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent
Asanha Bucha marks the Buddha’s first sermon. The next day, Buddhist Lent begins. Monks retreat to their temples for the rainy season. Look for candle processions, especially stunning in Ubon Ratchathani.
Khao Phansa Candle Festival (Ubon Ratchathani)
Giant, intricate candles are paraded through town. The floats are works of art, carved over weeks by local artists. A must-see if you love traditional craftsmanship.
August
Mother’s Day (Birthday of Queen Sirikit)
Celebrated on August 12th, Thailand’s Mother’s Day sees blue everywhere, symbolizing the Queen’s color. Families gather, temples hold special ceremonies, and cities put up twinkling lights.
Hungry Ghost Festival (some Chinese communities)
Mainly in areas like Phuket and Bangkok’s Chinatown, this festival honors wandering spirits with food offerings, paper money burning, and performances.
September
Vegetarian Festival (Phuket and other cities)
Nine days of devotion, spirit cleansing, and impressive street processions. Followers dress in white, eat only vegan food, and some participants perform extreme acts of body piercing in a show of spiritual strength.
Sart Thai Festival
A traditional harvest festival honoring ancestors with food offerings and temple ceremonies, especially celebrated in the central and southern parts of Thailand.
October
End of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa)
Monks finish their three-month rainy season retreat. Families offer food at temples, and communities hold beautiful river ceremonies to float candles and lanterns.
Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival
Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. In Chonburi, farmers race buffalos down a muddy track in a chaotic, hilarious tradition that’s been going strong for over 140 years.
November
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng
One of Thailand’s most magical nights. Loy Krathong sees thousands of candlelit floats drift down rivers, while Yi Peng fills the sky with glowing lanterns. Chiang Mai is a top spot, but you’ll find celebrations everywhere.
Surin Elephant Round-Up
In Surin Province, elephants show off their skills in parades, mock battles, and games. It is a celebration of the deep connection between the people and these majestic animals.
December
King’s Birthday and Father’s Day
December 5th celebrates the late King Bhumibol’s birthday and doubles as Thailand’s Father’s Day. Streets are decorated, and ceremonies honor fathers nationwide.
Wonderfruit Festival (Pattaya)
A modern, eco-conscious arts and music festival blending sustainability, creativity, and serious fun. Think Glastonbury vibes with a Thai twist.
