Many of Thailand's best-loved festivals follow the farming year. Rocket festivals call for rain before the rice is planted, candle parades mark the start of Buddhist Lent in the rainy season, and flower and fruit festivals celebrate the harvest. This guide explains when they take place and how to plan a trip.
Why the dates change every year
Most of these festivals follow the Thai lunar calendar or are set by local organisers, so they move from year to year. In 2026, for example, Makha Bucha fell on 3 March and Loy Krathong falls on 24 November. Regional organisers often publish their dates only one to two months ahead.
The dates in this guide were checked in September 2026. Where a 2026 date was not yet confirmed, we give the most recent edition as a guide to the usual timing. Always check the announcement from the organiser or the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) before you book flights or hotels.
Planting season: May and June
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal ritual that marks the start of the rice-planting season. It is usually held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, but the venue can change: in 2024 the King and Queen presided over the ceremony on 10 May in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Check each year's official announcement for the date and place, and dress respectfully if you attend.
Rocket festivals (Bun Bang Fai)
Rocket festivals are held in the northeast (Isan) before the rice is planted. Villages build and launch home-made rockets to ask for rain.
- Bua Khok Ten Million Rocket Festival: 16–17 May 2026, Ban Bua Khok, Tha Tum district, Surin.
- Roi Et and Kalasin: the TAT's June 2026 calendar also listed rocket festivals in these two provinces.
- Yasothon also holds a well-known rocket festival. Its 2026 dates were not confirmed when we checked, so look for the province's announcement.
Phi Ta Khon in Dan Sai
Phi Ta Khon, also called Bun Luang, is a festival of colourful masks and costumes in the small town of Dan Sai in Loei province.
In 2026 it ran on 20–22 June at the Dan Sai District Office and Wat Phon Chai. The dates change every year, so check the announcement for next year's festival before booking. Ask before you photograph people in costume, especially during religious ceremonies.
Buddhist Lent: festivals of the rainy season
Buddhist Lent (Phansa) is the rainy-season retreat, when monks stay at their temples. It begins on Khao Phansa, the day after Asanha Bucha, and ends on Ok Phansa.
| Holy day | 2026 | 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Asanha Bucha | 29 July | 18 July |
| Khao Phansa (start of Lent) | 30 July | not yet announced |
| Ok Phansa (end of Lent) | 26 October | 15 October |
The 2027 dates are calculations and have not yet been officially announced.
Khao Phansa: candles and flowers
- Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival: large carved candles are paraded through the city around Asanha Bucha and Khao Phansa. The 2025 festival ran on 9–13 July at Thung Sri Mueang, with the evening candle parade on 10–11 July. The 2026 dates were not confirmed when we checked.
- Tak Bat Dok Mai, Saraburi: at the start of Lent, people offer flowers to monks as alms. In 2025 it took place on 9–11 July at Wat Phra Phutthabat.
Ok Phansa: the end of Lent
The end of Lent brings river festivals, boat races and special alms-giving. These events took place in 2025:
| Festival | Place | 2025 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Rap Bua festival | Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, Samut Prakan | 30 September–8 October |
| Chak Phra and long-boat races | Surat Thani | 4–12 October |
| Naga festival on the Mekong | Nong Khai | 4–8 October |
| Chak Phra and Tak Bat Devo | Songkhla | 6–9 October |
Confirm the 2026 dates with the organisers before you travel.
Harvest and flower festivals
Sisaket Volcano Durian Festival
The Sisaket Volcano Durian Festival ran on 25–29 June 2026 at the Provincial Hall grounds in Si Sa Ket. It showcases the province's "volcano" durian, which has Geographical Indication (GI) status.
Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, when people float a krathong (a small decorated float) on rivers and ponds to give thanks to the water. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday 24 November. In Chiang Mai, Yi Peng is celebrated on the same nights, mainly 24–25 November; the city had not published its official programme when we checked in September 2026.
If you fly into or out of Chiang Mai on Yi Peng nights, check with your airline. In 2025 the airport ended all flights by 19:00 on the festival nights, and 161 flights were cancelled or rescheduled. Sky lanterns may be released only at the announced times and places, never in the city limits or near flight paths.
Several towns hold events over several days. In 2025, when Loy Krathong fell on 5 November, the TAT listed these (2026 dates were not yet announced):
- Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival: 27 October–5 November, Sukhothai Historical Park.
- Tak Loi Krathong Sai: 2–5 November, with coconut-shell krathongs on the Ping River.
- Maha Loi Krathong, Ayutthaya: 2–6 November at Wat Phra Ram, Ayutthaya Historical Park.
- Bangkok River Festival: 3–5 November at 9 piers, including Wat Pho, Wat Arun and ICONSIAM.
Choose a krathong made of natural materials such as banana trunk, banana leaves and flowers, not styrofoam.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
In the cool season, Chiang Mai celebrates its flowers with displays, a parade and a festival weekend at Nong Buak Haad Public Park (Suan Buak Haad). It is held in early to mid-February: in 2026 it ran on 13–15 February. In the same week, the Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta took place in Chiang Rai on 11–15 February 2026.
Seasonal festival calendar
| Month | Festival | Place | Latest confirmed dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | Flower Festival | Chiang Mai | 13–15 February 2026 |
| May | Bua Khok Rocket Festival | Tha Tum, Surin | 16–17 May 2026 |
| June | Phi Ta Khon | Dan Sai, Loei | 20–22 June 2026 |
| June | Volcano Durian Festival | Si Sa Ket | 25–29 June 2026 |
| July | Candle Festival | Ubon Ratchathani | 9–13 July 2025 |
| July | Tak Bat Dok Mai | Saraburi | 9–11 July 2025 |
| October | Ok Phansa festivals | Nong Khai, Surat Thani and more | 30 September–12 October 2025 |
| November | Loy Krathong | nationwide | 24 November 2026 |
Getting to the festivals
Many harvest festivals take place in provincial towns. A private transfer takes you door to door, with your luggage, at a time that suits you.
Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included and no meter. Fixed fares for festival trips (sedan / SUV / van):
| Route | Fare (THB) | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Ayutthaya | 1,500 / 1,700 / 2,000 | Maha Loi Krathong |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) → Bangkok | 600 / 800 / 1,100 | Bangkok River Festival |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) → Chiang Mai | 7,500 / 8,500 / 10,000 | Flower Festival, Yi Peng |
| Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai | 2,500 / 3,000 / 3,800 | Balloon Fiesta |
- Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
- Book a van from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- See all routes and fares
There is no fixed fare to Dan Sai, Yasothon, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Sukhothai or the other provincial towns in this guide. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE. For a full day in and around Chiang Mai, the Chiang Mai + Doi Tour costs 3,300 / 3,500 / 4,000 / 4,500 THB (sedan / SUV / van / VIP van) for up to 10 hours.
You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; there is no online payment and no deposit. 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). Extra stops cost 250 THB per hour, and an English-speaking driver can be requested when booking, subject to availability.
See also our guides How to Get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and How to Get from Bangkok to Sukhothai.
Practical tips
- Alcohol: no alcohol may be sold on Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa, Ok Phansa, Makha Bucha and Visakha Bucha. Shops, convenience stores and ordinary restaurants stop selling; licensed hotels and international airport terminals are exempt.
- Temples: cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes before entering temple halls, and do not point your feet at Buddha images or monks.
- Traffic: roads close for parades and processions. Allow extra travel time and agree a pickup point away from the route.
- Cash: carry small notes for food stalls, offerings and donations.
- Emergency numbers: Tourist Police 1155 (24 hours, several languages), ambulance 1669, police 191, TAT Call Centre 1672.
FAQ
Where is the Royal Ploughing Ceremony held? Usually at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, but the venue can change: in 2024 it was held in Ayutthaya on 10 May. Check each year's announcement.
When is the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival? Around Asanha Bucha and Khao Phansa in July. The 2025 edition ran on 9–13 July.
When does Buddhist Lent end in 2026? Ok Phansa is on 26 October 2026.
When is Phi Ta Khon? In 2026 it ran on 20–22 June in Dan Sai, Loei. The dates change every year.
When is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival? In early to mid-February. It ran on 13–15 February in 2026 at Nong Buak Haad Public Park.
To travel to a festival by private car, book online or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.