This guide explains Thailand's main cultural and religious festivals, their dates and how to take part respectfully.
Dates were checked in September 2026. Most regional organisers publish dates only one to two months ahead, so confirm them with the organiser before you book travel.
Introduction to Thai Festivals
Thai festivals follow three calendars: the Thai lunar calendar for Buddhist holy days and Loy Krathong, the Chinese lunar calendar for Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival, and the solar calendar for Songkran. Many festivals are centred on a temple or a shrine, and visitors are welcome if they dress modestly and respect the ceremony. Because the lunar calendars move, a festival can change month from one year to the next: in 2026, Makha Bucha fell in March, not February.
Festival Calendar for 2026 and 2027
| Festival | 2026 | 2027 | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year | 17 February | 6 February | Bangkok and nationwide |
| Makha Bucha | 3 March | 21 February (expected) | Nationwide |
| Songkran | 13–15 April | Not yet announced | Nationwide |
| Visakha Bucha | 31 May | 20 May (expected) | Nationwide |
| Phi Ta Khon | 20–22 June | Not yet announced | Dan Sai, Loei |
| Candle Festival | Not confirmed (9–13 July in 2025) | Not yet announced | Ubon Ratchathani |
| Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa | 29–30 July | Asanha Bucha: 18 July (expected) | Nationwide |
| Vegetarian Festival | 10–18 October | Not yet announced | Phuket |
| Ok Phansa | 26 October | 15 October (expected) | Nationwide |
| Loy Krathong, Yi Peng | 24 November (Chiang Mai: 24–25 November) | 13 November (expected) | Nationwide; Yi Peng in Chiang Mai |
Major Religious Festivals
Songkran (Thai New Year)
When: 13–15 April (the public holidays in 2026)
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year. Families visit temples and pour water over Buddha images and over the hands of older relatives as a blessing. In the cities, Songkran has also become a very large water festival. UNESCO added Songkran to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage on 6 December 2023.
In 2026 Bangkok's main Songkran zones included Silom Road, Siam Square, ICONSIAM, Sanam Luang and Khao San Road. In these zones, water play was allowed only in designated areas, alcohol was not allowed, and powder, coloured sprays and high-pressure water guns were banned. The 2026 penalties were:
- High-pressure water cannons or modified guns: up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 4,000 THB.
- Revealing clothing or indecent behaviour: a fine of up to 5,000 THB.
- Drink-driving (limit 50 mg%, or 20 mg% for drivers under 20): up to 1 year in prison and a fine of 5,000–20,000 THB.
- Riding on the edge of a pickup truck or standing on its roof while it moves: banned.
Keep your phone in a waterproof bag, dress modestly, and do not splash monks or older people. The rules are announced each year, so check them before Songkran 2027.
Makha Bucha Day
When: a full moon in February or March. In 2026 it fell on 3 March. In 2027 it is expected on 21 February.
Makha Bucha remembers a gathering of the Buddha's disciples. In the evening, people walk three times around the main hall of their temple, carrying candles, incense and flowers. Visitors may join quietly.
Visakha Bucha Day
When: a full moon, usually in May. In 2026 it fell on Sunday 31 May, with the substitute holiday on Monday 1 June. In 2027 it is expected on 20 May.
Visakha Bucha marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Expect morning alms-giving to monks, sermons, and candle processions around temple halls in the evening.
Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa
Asanha Bucha remembers the Buddha's first sermon. On the next day, Khao Phansa, Buddhist Lent begins. Buddhist Lent is the rainy-season retreat, when monks stay in their temples. In 2026 Asanha Bucha was on 29 July and Khao Phansa on 30 July. Ok Phansa, the end of Buddhist Lent, is on 26 October 2026. In 2027, Asanha Bucha is expected on 18 July and Ok Phansa on 15 October.
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng
When: the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. In 2026 Loy Krathong is on Tuesday 24 November. In 2027 it is expected on 13 November.
People float a krathong, a small raft with flowers, a candle and incense, on a river, a canal or a pond. Choose a krathong made of natural materials such as banana trunk and banana leaves, not styrofoam.
In Chiang Mai the festival is called Yi Peng, and the main nights are expected on 24 and 25 November 2026. The city has not yet published its official programme. Free places to watch include the Ping River between the Iron Bridge and Nakorn Ping Bridge, Nawarat Bridge, Tha Phae Gate (parade and stage shows in the early evening), the Old City moat, and temples such as Wat Phan Tao.
Mass sky-lantern releases with tickets are held outside the city, for example in Mae On district and near Mae Jo University. Tickets cost about 4,800–15,900 THB (smaller events about 2,500–4,900 THB).
Sky lanterns may not be released within Chiang Mai city limits or near airport flight paths, and breaking this rule can mean a fine and possibly prison. Release lanterns only at the announced times and places. In 2025, in Chiang Mai and Lamphun, lanterns were allowed only from 19:00 to 01:00 on the festival nights. Chiang Mai airport ended all flights by 19:00 on those nights, and 161 flights were cancelled or rescheduled. If you fly into or out of Chiang Mai during Yi Peng, choose a flight that lands or leaves before 19:00 and check with your airline.
Chinese-Thai Festivals
Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Nine Emperor Gods)
When: 10–18 October 2026. The dates follow the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2025 the festival ran from 20 to 29 October.
The Go Teng pole is raised on the evening of 9 October and lowered on the afternoon of 19 October. The main shrines are Jui Tui, Bang Neow, Kathu, Sam Kong, Sapam and Tha Rue. Each morning from 11 to 18 October, a street procession leaves from a different shrine:
| Date | Shrine |
|---|---|
| 11 October | Naka |
| 12 October | Sapam |
| 13 October | Sam Kong |
| 14 October | Ban Tha Rue |
| 15 October | Bang Neow |
| 16 October | Jui Tui |
| 17 October | Kathu |
| 18 October | Sui Boon Tong / Saphan Hin |
Processions start between 06:00 and 08:00, depending on the shrine (for example, Jui Tui at 08:00), so arrive before the start. Fire-walking and blade-ladder climbing start around 20:00, mainly from 14 to 17 October at the major shrines.
Yellow flags with red Chinese characters mark shops that sell jay food. Jay food has no meat, dairy, eggs or alcohol, and none of the five pungent vegetables: garlic, onion, shallot, chives and leek.
Wear white, with long sleeves, long trousers and closed shoes (not flip-flops), because firecrackers are thrown along the procession routes. Protect your ears. Ask before you take close-up photos of anyone in trance, and do not touch the mediums.
Chinese New Year
When: 17 February in 2026 and 6 February in 2027.
In Bangkok, the celebrations centre on Yaowarat, the city's Chinatown. Check the event programme closer to the date.
Regional Religious Festivals
Phi Ta Khon (Bun Luang)
When: 20–22 June in 2026. The dates change every year. Where: the Dan Sai District Office and Wat Phon Chai, Dan Sai, Loei.
Phi Ta Khon is a merit-making festival in which local people parade in colourful ghost masks and costumes. It mixes Buddhist ceremony with older local beliefs.
Candle Festival, Ubon Ratchathani
When: July, around Asanha Bucha and Khao Phansa. The 2025 festival ran from 9 to 13 July at Thung Sri Mueang, with the evening candle parade on 10 and 11 July. The 2026 and 2027 dates were not confirmed.
Large carved wax candles are paraded through the city and then offered to temples for the start of Buddhist Lent.
Alcohol Rules on Buddhist Holy Days
No alcohol may be sold nationwide on five Buddhist holy days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa. The next one is Ok Phansa on 26 October 2026. Shops, convenience stores and ordinary restaurants must stop selling. The exceptions include hotels licensed under the Hotel Act, international airport passenger terminals and licensed entertainment venues, so plan any drinks at a licensed hotel.
Temple Etiquette
- Cover your shoulders and knees for temple ceremonies.
- Take your shoes off before you enter a temple hall, and do not point your feet at Buddha images or monks.
- Women should not touch monks or hand things directly to them.
- Ask before you photograph people, especially during religious rituals.
- Carry small notes for offerings, temple donations and festival food stalls.
Getting to the Festivals
Roads close for parades and processions, so allow extra travel time and agree on a pickup point away from the route. Public transport is cheaper. A private car suits families and groups with luggage. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included:
- Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok costs 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV or 1,100 THB by van. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok.
- Phuket: Phuket Airport to Patong Beach costs 1,000 THB by sedan, 1,100 THB by SUV or 1,400 THB by van. Book a sedan from Phuket Airport to Patong Beach, or read How to Get from Bangkok to Phuket.
- Chiang Mai: Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai costs 7,500 THB by sedan, 8,500 THB by SUV or 10,000 THB by van. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai, or read How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
- Sukhothai, Dan Sai and Ubon Ratchathani: there is no fixed fare. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (a 5% fee is added). Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details). See all fares on the price list.
Emergency Contacts
Save these numbers in your phone before a big festival:
- Tourist Police: 1155 (24 hours, several languages)
- Ambulance: 1669
- Police: 191
- TAT Call Centre: 1672
FAQ
When is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in 2026? From 10 to 18 October 2026. The pole is raised on the evening of 9 October.
When is Loy Krathong in 2026? Tuesday 24 November 2026. Chiang Mai celebrates Yi Peng on the same nights, with the main nights on 24 and 25 November.
What should I wear to the Vegetarian Festival? White clothes with long sleeves and long trousers, and closed shoes because of the firecrackers.
When is Phi Ta Khon? In 2026 it ran from 20 to 22 June in Dan Sai, Loei. The dates change every year.
When is Visakha Bucha? In 2026 it was on Sunday 31 May, with the substitute holiday on Monday 1 June. In 2027 it is expected on 20 May.
To reach a festival by private car, book your transfer or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.