Thailand has festivals in every month, from quiet temple ceremonies to the water fights of Songkran and the floating krathongs of Loy Krathong. This guide gives the 2026 dates, the rules visitors should know, and how to get there.
Most dates follow the Thai or Chinese lunar calendar, so they move every year, and regional organisers often publish them only 1–2 months ahead. The dates below were checked in September 2026. Confirm them with the organiser's announcement before you book flights or hotels.
Festival calendar for 2026
| Month | Festival | Where | 2026 date |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | Chiang Mai Flower Festival | Chiang Mai | 13–15 February |
| February | Phra Nakhon Khiri festival | Khao Wang, Phetchaburi | 20 February–1 March |
| February or March | Makha Bucha | Nationwide | 3 March |
| April | Songkran (Thai New Year) | Nationwide | 13–15 April |
| May | Rocket festival, Ban Bua Khok | Surin | 16–17 May |
| May | Visakha Bucha | Nationwide | 31 May (holiday also 1 June) |
| July | Asanha Bucha and Khao Phansa | Nationwide | 29 and 30 July |
| July | Candle Festival | Ubon Ratchathani | Not yet confirmed |
| September–October | VIJIT Thailand (light installations) | Lamphun, Trang and Roi Et | 25 September–18 October |
| October | Vegetarian Festival | Phuket | 10–18 October |
| October | Ok Phansa | Nationwide | 26 October |
| November | Loy Krathong and Yi Peng | Nationwide; Yi Peng in Chiang Mai | 24 November (Yi Peng 24–25 November) |
| December | King Bhumibol's birthday (Father's Day) | Nationwide | 5 December (holiday 7 December) |
5 December is the birthday of the late King Bhumibol. The current King's birthday is 28 July.
Buddhist holy days
Five Buddhist days shape the Thai year: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa (the start of Buddhist Lent) and Ok Phansa (the end of Lent). They are days for temple visits, not parties. The 2027 dates below are calculated, not yet officially announced.
| Holy day | 2026 | 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Makha Bucha | 3 March | 21 February |
| Visakha Bucha | 31 May | 20 May |
| Asanha Bucha | 29 July | 18 July |
| Khao Phansa | 30 July | Not yet announced |
| Ok Phansa | 26 October | 15 October |
No alcohol sales on the five holy days
Alcohol sales are banned nationwide on all five holy days, not only on Visakha Bucha.
- Ordinary shops, convenience stores and restaurants must stop selling.
- Hotels licensed under the Hotel Act, international airport passenger terminals, licensed entertainment venues and designated event venues may still sell.
On normal days, alcohol is sold from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 24:00, and never to anyone under 20. For a drink with dinner on a holy day, choose a licensed hotel.
Regional festivals
Chiang Mai Flower Festival (February)
The flower festival takes place in early to mid-February at Nong Buak Haad Public Park (Suan Buak Haad). In 2026 it ran 13–15 February. Check the official programme for the parade day and route.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony and rocket festivals (May)
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is usually held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, but the venue can change: in 2024 it was held in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya on 10 May. Check each year's announcement.
Rocket festivals are held in the northeast. In 2026 the Bua Khok Ten Million Rocket Festival ran 16–17 May at Ban Bua Khok, Tha Tum district, Surin, and more took place in Roi Et and Kalasin in June.
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival (July)
The Candle Festival is held around Asanha Bucha and Khao Phansa. In 2025 it ran 9–13 July at Thung Sri Mueang, with the evening candle parade on 10 and 11 July. The 2026 dates were not confirmed when we checked.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival (October)
The Nine Emperor Gods festival follows the Chinese lunar calendar: it ran 20–29 October in 2025, and in 2026 the nine main days are 10–18 October. The Go Teng pole is raised on the evening of 9 October and lowered on 19 October.
Street processions start between 06:00 and 08:00:
| Date (2026) | Shrine | Procession starts |
|---|---|---|
| 11 October | Naka | 07:30 |
| 12 October | Sapam | Early morning |
| 13 October | Sam Kong | 07:45 |
| 14 October | Ban Tha Rue | Early morning |
| 15 October | Bang Neow | 06:00 |
| 16 October | Jui Tui | 08:00 |
| 17 October | Kathu | 06:45 |
| 18 October | Sui Boon Tong | 07:00 |
Start times can change, so confirm them locally the day before. Fire-walking and blade-ladder climbing usually start around 20:00, mainly between 14 and 17 October at the major shrines.
- 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.
- Wear white, with long sleeves, long trousers and closed shoes, because firecrackers are thrown along the routes. Protect your ears as well.
- Arrive before the start time. Ask before taking close-up photos of anyone in a trance, and do not touch the mediums.
Songkran, Loy Krathong and Yi Peng
Songkran (April)
Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, has been on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage since December 2023. The 2026 public holidays were 13–15 April.
In 2026 Bangkok ran Songkran under a "3S" code: Safe (water play only in designated areas, no alcohol), Soft (modest dress, no powder, no harassment) and Spirit (keep the tradition). Zones included Silom Road, Siam Square, Khao San Road, ICONSIAM, Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Road. Zones change each year, so check the list before you go.
- Powder, chalk, coloured sprays and high-pressure water guns were banned in the main zones. Using high-pressure water cannons or modified guns can bring up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 4,000 THB.
- Revealing clothing or indecent behaviour can bring a fine of up to 5,000 THB.
- Riding on the edge of a pickup truck, or standing on its roof while it moves, is banned.
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng (November)
Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November, the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. People float a krathong, a small decorated float, on rivers and ponds. Choose one made of natural materials such as banana trunk, leaves and flowers, not styrofoam.
In Chiang Mai, Yi Peng falls on the same nights, centred on 24–25 November 2026; the official programme was not yet published. You can watch for free along the Ping River between the Iron Bridge and Nakorn Ping Bridge, on 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.
Mass sky-lantern releases are ticketed events outside the city, for example the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival in Mae On district and Yee Peng Lanna International near Mae Jo University. Tickets cost about 4,800–15,900 THB, depending on the seat tier and whether transport is included; cheaper events cost about 2,500–4,900 THB. Lanterns may not be released in the city limits or near flight paths, and breaking this rule can mean a fine or jail. In 2025 they were allowed in Chiang Mai and Lamphun only from 19:00 to 01:00 on the festival nights, and Chiang Mai airport stopped all flights at 19:00, so 161 flights were cancelled or moved. If you fly around Yi Peng, choose a flight that lands or leaves before 19:00, and check with the airline.
In 2025, other large Loy Krathong events were held at Sukhothai Historical Park (27 October–5 November), at Ayutthaya Historical Park (2–6 November) and at 9 piers along the river in Bangkok (3–5 November). The 2026 dates are not yet announced.
Getting to festivals
Roads close for parades and processions. Allow extra travel time, and agree a pickup point with your driver away from the route. In Bangkok, the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings bring extra security in mid-October 2026, with a bank holiday on 16 October, so plan more time for trips across the city.
Public transport costs less. A private transfer suits families, groups with luggage, and anyone who wants to leave a crowded festival area at a set time. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, with expressway tolls included:
- Bangkok to Ayutthaya (Loy Krathong at Ayutthaya Historical Park): 1,500 THB sedan, 1,700 THB SUV, 2,000 THB van. Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
- Phuket Airport to Patong Beach (for a stay in Patong during the Vegetarian Festival): 1,000 THB sedan, 1,100 THB SUV, 1,400 THB van, with 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. Book a sedan from Phuket Airport to Patong Beach
- Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai (for Yi Peng, instead of a flight on a festival night): 7,500 THB sedan, 8,500 THB SUV, 10,000 THB van. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai
- Sukhothai, Ubon Ratchathani or Surin: there is no fixed fare. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
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 routes and fares, or the full-day private tours of up to 10 hours.
Etiquette and safety
- Cover your shoulders and knees for temple ceremonies. Take off your shoes 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 photographing people, especially during religious rituals.
- Carry small notes for festival food stalls, offerings and temple donations.
- Flying a drone needs NBTC and CAAT registration and flight approval 3 days ahead. Fines go up to 40,000 THB.
- Save these numbers: Tourist Police 1155 (24 hours, several languages), ambulance 1669, police 191.
FAQ
Can I buy alcohol on Buddhist holy days? Not in shops or ordinary restaurants on Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa. Licensed hotels and international airport terminals are exempt.
When is Loy Krathong in 2026? Tuesday 24 November 2026. Chiang Mai celebrates Yi Peng on the same nights, with the main nights on 24–25 November.
When is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in 2026? The nine main days are 10–18 October 2026. The pole is raised on the evening of 9 October.
Planning a festival trip? Message us on WhatsApp or LINE, or start a booking.