From 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, the Bangkok Art Biennale shows contemporary art in temples, museums and shopping centres across Bangkok. Until 18 October, VIJIT Thailand shows light installations in three provinces. The year also brings a design week, a film festival and traditional festivals with shadow puppets and lanterns.
Thailand's Creative Calendar at a Glance
| When | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 29 January–8 February 2026 | Bangkok Design Week | Charoen Krung, Phra Nakhon and other Bangkok districts |
| 18–19 April 2026 | Chiang Mai International Music Art and Culture Festival | Three Kings Monument, Chiang Mai |
| 1–3 May 2026 | Nang Yai and Kala Fire Festival | Nang Yai Wat Ban Don Museum, Rayong |
| 27–28 June 2026 | Bangkok Bicycle Film Festival | ChangChui Creative Park, Bangkok |
| 25 September–18 October 2026 | VIJIT Thailand (light installations) | Lamphun, Trang and Roi Et |
| 29 October 2026–28 February 2027 | Bangkok Art Biennale, "Angels & Mara" | Temples, museums and malls in Bangkok |
| 24 November 2026 (Chiang Mai: 24–25 November) | Loy Krathong and Yi Peng | Nationwide; Yi Peng in Chiang Mai |
Dates were checked in September 2026. Many organisers publish their programmes only one to two months ahead, so confirm with the organiser before you book travel.
Art Festivals and Biennales
Bangkok Art Biennale 2026: "Angels & Mara"
The Bangkok Art Biennale is a citywide exhibition of contemporary art. The 2026 edition, with the theme "Angels & Mara", runs from 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027. Because many venues are major sights, you can combine sightseeing and art in one day.
Venues listed for 2026 include:
- Temples: Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Prayoon
- Museums and art centres: Museum Siam, the National Museum Bangkok, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and the Art Centre at Silpakorn University
- Shopping and mixed-use centres: One Bangkok, centralwOrld and Siam Paragon
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) gave no admission prices. Check venues, opening hours and any entry fees on the official Bangkok Art Biennale website before you go.
Thailand Biennale
The Thailand Biennale is a contemporary art exhibition. Its latest edition, Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 ("Eternal Kalpa"), ran from November 2025 to April 2026 with 65 artists from 25 countries at 19 venues. It has now closed. Check the organiser's announcements for the next edition.
VIJIT Thailand 2026: Festival of Light
VIJIT Thailand is a festival of lighting installations. The 2026 edition is open now, from 25 September to 18 October 2026, in Lamphun (north), Trang (south) and Roi Et (northeast). The installations are best seen after dark, so plan to stay the night.
Film Festivals
The Bangkok Bicycle Film Festival shows films about cycling and bike culture. The 2026 edition took place on 27–28 June at ChangChui Creative Park in Bangkok. Check the organiser's announcements for the next edition.
We could not confirm 2026 dates or venues for other film festivals in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Before you plan a trip around one, check the organiser's own website.
Design and Creative Festivals
Bangkok Design Week
Bangkok Design Week is usually held in late January and early February. The 2026 edition ran from 29 January to 8 February, with events in several districts:
- Charoen Krung–Talat Noi, the old riverside trading area
- Phra Nakhon, the historic centre
- Pak Khlong Talat, the flower market area
- Bang Lamphu–Khao San
Each area is best explored on foot, so take a car to the first district and walk between venues.
Chiang Mai International Music Art and Culture Festival
In 2026 it was held on 18–19 April at the Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai's Old City.
Art at Traditional Festivals
Nang Yai Shadow Puppets, Rayong
Nang yai uses large panels of cut leather, each showing a whole scene, which performers move in front of a lit screen. The Nang Yai and Kala Fire Festival was held on 1–3 May 2026 at the Nang Yai Wat Ban Don Museum in Rayong. Check the museum's announcements for the next edition.
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November, and Chiang Mai's Yi Peng celebrations centre on 24–25 November. As of September 2026, Chiang Mai has not published its official programme, so check the dates again before you book. You can watch for free along the Ping River, at Nawarat Bridge, at Tha Phae Gate (parade and stage shows in the early evening), along the Old City moat and at temples such as Wat Phan Tao.
Sky lanterns may be released only at the announced times and places, never in the city limits or near flight paths. In 2025, Chiang Mai airport stopped all flights at 19:00 on the festival nights, so choose a flight before 19:00 and check with the airline.
In 2025, Bangkok's River Festival for Loy Krathong used 9 piers, including Wat Pho, Wat Arun and ICONSIAM. If you visit the riverside Bangkok Art Biennale venues on 24 November 2026, expect crowds and busy roads in the evening.
Planning a Day at the Bangkok Art Biennale
The venues fall into three groups. See one group at a time:
| Area | Venues | Getting around |
|---|---|---|
| Old town, east bank of the river | Wat Pho, Museum Siam, National Museum Bangkok, Art Centre at Silpakorn University | On foot between venues |
| Thonburi, west bank of the river | Wat Arun, Wat Prayoon | Cross-river ferry or car |
| Downtown | Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Siam Paragon, centralwOrld, One Bangkok | BTS Skytrain, MRT or car |
- Dress for the temples. Cover your shoulders and knees, take your shoes off in temple halls, and do not point your feet at Buddha images or monks. Women should not touch monks or hand things directly to them.
- Plan the order. Visit the temples in the cooler morning and the indoor venues in the afternoon. The old town and downtown are too far apart to walk in the heat.
- Hire a car for the day. The Smile Taxi Service Bangkok Tour gives you a private car and driver for up to 10 hours for 2,700 THB by sedan, 3,000 THB by SUV, 3,700 THB by van or 4,000 THB by VIP van. Pickup in another province adds 500 THB. See the tours and day trips.
- Thonburi side: Wat Arun and Wat Prayoon are west of the Chao Phraya River. A Smile pickup or drop-off on this side of the river adds 100–200 THB.
Photography and Drones
- Register every drone with the NBTC. Drones with a camera or over 2 kg must also be registered with CAAT through the UAS Portal.
- You also need third-party insurance of at least 1 million THB, a pilot certificate and flight approval 3 days before flying.
- Fly in daylight only, no higher than 90 m, with the drone in sight. Stay 9 km from airports unless authorised, and do not fly over urban areas, government buildings, hospitals or military zones.
- Breaking the rules can mean up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to 40,000 THB, or both.
Because the Bangkok Art Biennale venues are in the city, a drone is not an option there. Ask before photographing people, especially during religious rituals, and follow no-photography signs.
Getting There with Smile Taxi Service
Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included.
- Bangkok festivals and the Biennale: 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. From Don Mueang Airport it costs 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV or 1,000 THB by van: book a sedan from Don Mueang to Bangkok.
- Chiang Mai festivals: 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. For other options, see How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
- Nang yai in Rayong: see How to Get from Bangkok to Rayong. There is no fixed fare to the museum, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
- VIJIT Thailand in Lamphun, Trang and Roi Et: there is no fixed fare. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. An English-speaking driver can be requested when booking, subject to availability. 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 routes on the price list.
Practical Tips
- Bangkok, 12–18 October 2026: the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings bring extra security, and 16 October is a bank holiday in the city. Allow extra time on the roads.
- Closed roads and cash: agree a pickup point away from parade routes, and carry small notes for stalls and temple donations.
- Emergency numbers: Tourist Police 1155 (24 hours, several languages), ambulance 1669, police 191, TAT Call Centre 1672.
FAQ
When is the Bangkok Art Biennale 2026? From 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, under the theme "Angels & Mara", at venues including Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Museum Siam and the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
Is the Thailand Biennale still open? No. The Phuket 2025 edition ran from November 2025 to April 2026 and has closed.
When is Bangkok Design Week? Usually in late January and early February. The 2026 edition ran from 29 January to 8 February.
Is there an entry fee for the Bangkok Art Biennale? The TAT listing gave no admission prices. Check the official Bangkok Art Biennale website before you go.
Can I fly a drone at a festival? Only after NBTC and CAAT registration and flight approval. Breaking the rules can mean a fine of up to 40,000 THB, up to 1 year in prison, or both.
To reach a festival or spend a day at the Bangkok Art Biennale by private car, book your transfer or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.