Thailand has no single carnival season. Parades follow the Thai and Chinese lunar calendars, the flower season and the Buddhist holy days. This guide covers the main parades, when they take place, how to watch them respectfully and how to get there.
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.
The Festive Spirit of Thai Parades
Many Thai parades are religious events that start from a temple or a shrine. Watching from the street is usually free, and visitors are welcome as long as they respect the ceremony.
Parade Calendar at a Glance
| When | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 11–15 February 2026 | Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta | Chiang Rai |
| 13–15 February 2026 | Chiang Mai Flower Festival | Chiang Mai |
| 17 February 2026; 6 February 2027 | Chinese New Year | Bangkok and nationwide |
| 13–15 April 2026 | Songkran | Nationwide |
| 16–17 May 2026 | Bua Khok Rocket Festival | Surin |
| 20–22 June 2026 | Phi Ta Khon | Dan Sai, Loei |
| July (9–13 July in 2025) | Candle Festival | Ubon Ratchathani |
| 10–18 October 2026 | Vegetarian Festival | Phuket |
| 24 November 2026 | Loy Krathong and Yi Peng | Nationwide; Yi Peng in Chiang Mai |
Major Annual Parades
Songkran Processions
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is famous for water play, but it also has processions and ceremonies. UNESCO added it to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage on 6 December 2023. In Bangkok in 2026, ICONSIAM held a procession and ceremonies from 10 to 15 April.
In Bangkok's main water zones in 2026, powder, coloured sprays and high-pressure water guns were banned, and the zones were alcohol-free. In 2026, using a high-pressure water cannon could bring up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 4,000 THB. Check the rules again before Songkran 2027.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
This festival takes place in early to mid-February. In 2026 it ran from 13 to 15 February at Nong Buak Haad Public Park (Suan Buak Haad), with the flower parade on the festival weekend. Check the official programme for the parade route and start time.
Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta
This balloon fiesta is held at Singha Park in Chiang Rai. In 2026 it ran from 11 to 15 February, at the same time as the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, so you could see both on one trip. A private transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai costs 2,500 THB by sedan, 3,000 THB by SUV or 3,800 THB by van: book a sedan from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
Ubon Ratchathani holds its Candle Festival, with an evening candle parade, around Asanha Bucha and Khao Phansa, the start of Buddhist Lent. In 2025 the festival ran from 9 to 13 July at Thung Sri Mueang, with the parade on 10 and 11 July. For 2027, Asanha Bucha is expected on 18 July, but the festival dates are not yet confirmed.
Chinese Festival Parades
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year falls on 17 February in 2026 and on 6 February in 2027. In Bangkok, the celebrations are centred on Yaowarat, the city's Chinatown; check the programme closer to the date.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival Processions
The Vegetarian Festival, or Nine Emperor Gods Festival, has Phuket's largest street processions. In 2026 the nine main days are 10–18 October. The Go Teng pole is raised on 9 October and lowered on the afternoon of 19 October. The dates move every year with the Chinese lunar calendar: in 2025 the festival ran from 20 to 29 October.
Each morning, a street procession leaves from a different shrine:
| Date (2026) | Shrine | Start time |
|---|---|---|
| 11 October | Naka | 07:30 |
| 12 October | Sapam | 07:00 |
| 13 October | Sam Kong | 07:45 |
| 14 October | Ban Tha Rue | 06:00 |
| 15 October | Bang Neow | 06:00 |
| 16 October | Jui Tui | 08:00 |
| 17 October | Kathu | 06:45 |
| 18 October | Sui Boon Tong / Saphan Hin | 07:00 |
Fire-walking and blade-ladder climbing start around 20:00 at the major shrines, mainly from 14 to 17 October. The exact nights are announced close to the event.
- Wear white, with long sleeves, long trousers and closed shoes, not flip-flops. Firecrackers are thrown along the routes, so protect your ears too.
- Ask before you take close-up photos of anyone in trance, and do not touch the mediums.
- Yellow flags with red Chinese characters mark shops that sell jay food: no meat, dairy, eggs or alcohol, and no garlic, onion, shallot, chives or leek.
Buddhist Festival Processions
End of Buddhist Lent
Ok Phansa, the end of Buddhist Lent, is on 26 October 2026. Festivals held around it in October 2025 included:
- Rap Bua festival: 30 September–8 October, Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, Samut Prakan.
- Chak Phra festival and long-boat races: 4–12 October, Surat Thani.
- Naga festival on the Mekong: 4–8 October, Nong Khai.
- Chak Phra and Tak Bat Devo: 6–9 October, Songkhla.
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng
Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November. In Chiang Mai, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are centred on 24–25 November; the official programme is not yet published. Tha Phae Gate has a parade and stage shows in the early evening. Nawarat Bridge, the Ping River and the Old City moat are also free places to watch.
Sky lanterns may not be released in Chiang Mai city limits or near airport flight paths. Release them only at the announced times and places.
In 2025, Chiang Mai airport ended all flights by 19:00 on the festival nights, and 161 flights were cancelled or rescheduled. If you fly during Yi Peng, choose a flight that lands or leaves before 19:00, and check with your airline.
Royal and National Days
The remaining national holidays in 2026 include Chulalongkorn Memorial Day (23 October), Father's Day (5 December, observed on 7 December) and Constitution Day (10 December). The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is usually held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, but in 2024 it took place in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, so check each year's announcement.
Regional Carnival Events
Phi Ta Khon
Phi Ta Khon, also called Bun Luang, is held in Dan Sai in Loei province. In 2026 it ran from 20 to 22 June at the Dan Sai District Office and Wat Phon Chai. The dates change every year.
Rocket Festivals (Bun Bang Fai)
Rocket festivals are held in several northeastern provinces. In 2026 the Bua Khok Ten Million Rocket Festival took place on 16–17 May at Ban Bua Khok, Tha Tum, Surin, and the TAT also listed rocket festivals in Roi Et and Kalasin. Yasothon's Bun Bang Fai dates are announced locally.
Parade Viewing Tips
- Arrive early. In Phuket, the morning processions start between 06:00 and 08:00.
- Carry small notes for food stalls, offerings and temple donations.
- Dress for the temple. 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 for closed roads. Allow extra travel time and agree a pickup point with your driver away from the route.
- Check the alcohol rules. Shops, convenience stores and ordinary restaurants cannot sell alcohol on the five Buddhist holy days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa. Licensed hotels and international airport terminals are exempt.
Parade Photography Tips
- Ask before you photograph people, especially during religious rituals.
- Leave the drone at home unless it is registered with the NBTC and CAAT, insured, flown by a certified pilot and approved 3 days in advance. Drones may not fly over urban areas. The penalty is up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to 40,000 THB, or both.
Getting to the Parades
Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included.
- Phuket Vegetarian Festival: 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. To follow the processions from shrine to shrine, the Phuket Tour (a car with a driver for up to 10 hours) costs 2,800 THB by sedan, 3,200 THB by SUV, 3,600 THB by van or 4,100 THB by VIP van: see the tours and day trips.
- Chinese New Year and Songkran in Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok costs 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV or 1,100 THB by van: book an SUV from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok.
- Chiang Mai and Phuket from Bangkok: see How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and How to Get from Bangkok to Phuket.
- Dan Sai, Ubon Ratchathani, Surin and Yasothon: 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.
Safety and Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before a big festival: Tourist Police 1155 (24 hours, several languages), ambulance 1669, police 191 and the TAT Call Centre 1672.
FAQ
When is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival parade? On the festival weekend in early to mid-February. In 2026 the festival ran from 13 to 15 February.
What time do the Phuket Vegetarian Festival processions start? Between 06:00 and 08:00, depending on the shrine, from 11 to 18 October 2026.
Are there balloon festivals in Thailand? Yes. The Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta in Chiang Rai ran from 11 to 15 February 2026.
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 Loy Krathong in 2026? Tuesday 24 November 2026. Chiang Mai's main nights are 24 and 25 November.
To travel to a festival by private car, book your transfer or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.