Best Festivals in Thailand

Also popular as Ghost Festival, Phi Ta Khon is a colourful event held in Northeastern Thailand’s Dan Sai town. This festival is celebrated in June or July and it includes wearing ghostly costumes and masks made from colourful old clothes. This festival includes traditional dance performances, music, and parades. During this festival, the streets of Thailand are filled with excitement and reflect the local belief in ghosts and spirits. This festival provides a unique cultural experience that combines fun with a unique cultural experience. Plan your trip to Thailand around this festival and enjoy some of the best moments with your friends and family. 

• Location: Northeastern Thailand’s Dan Sai town
• Date: June or July (Date is announced according to the lunar calendar)
• Highlights: Vibrant parades, Ghost masks and costumes, spiritual ceremonies, and cultural performances.

Yee Peng Lantern Festival Thailand is another popular Festival in Thailand, held in November. This festival is celebrated alongside Loi Krathong. During the Yee Peng Lantern Festival, people in Thailand's different regions including Chiang Mai release thousands of floating lanterns into the sky. The meaning of floating these lanterns means letting the past trouble go and wishing the best for the future. These lanterns create breathtaking views of the sky. This beautiful festival showcases the rich culture and tradition of Thailand. Watching the glowing lanterns drifting away provides a sense of spiritual uplifting. 

• Location: Chiang Mai 
• Date: November, alongside Loi Krathong.
• Highlights: Skylighted with over a thousand lanterns, temple ceremonies, and traditional music.

Songkran festival Thailand is a Thai New Year celebration, held from the 13th to the 15th of April every year. This festival is also known as the water festival of Thailand and it is famous for its lively water fights. During this festival, people of all ages come out on the streets with buckets and guns filled with water to engage in this playful battle. The water symbolises cleaning past year’s bad luck. This is one of the most popular Festivals in Thailand which is celebrated countrywide, transforming all the cities of Thailand including Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket into a bustling hub of joy and excitement. If you are looking to experience the best Festivals in Thailand then planning your trip to Thailand around this festival is a must. 

• Location: Countrywide, especially in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. 
• Date: from the 13th to the 15th of April
• Highlights: Friendly water fights, cultural parades, and traditional rituals. 

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a very colourful and unique 9-day event held in Phuket each year. The date of this festival is usually in October and it is a part of local Chinese tradition. This Festival is known for its strict vegetarian diet which aims to purify your body and spirit. For all the tourists planning a trip to Phuket then the best time to visit is around this festival so that you can immerse yourself completely in the local Thai traditions. This Phuket Vegetation Festival involves various rituals and ceremonies. This festival displays the cultural heritage of Thailand with performances, traditional music, and parades. 

• Location: Phuket, Thailand 
• Date: October for 9 days 
• Highlights: processions, Vegetarian delights, and cultural performances.

Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. During this festival, people decorate baskets beautifully and float them on the water to pay respect to the water goddess. Floating Krathong is a symbol of letting go of past troubles and asking for forgiveness. This is also known as the “Festival of Lights”. This festival is also celebrated in some of Thailand's neighbouring countries under different names. The basket is decorated with flowers, banana leaves, candles, and incense sticks. Thailand festival dates are usually announced before a month so you can plan your trip to Thailand around the festival easily. 

• Location: Countrywide
• Date: Full moon night of November 
• Highlights: Floating decorated Krathongs, fireworks, and cultural dance and music.

Celebrated every year in Lopburi, the Monkey Banquet Festival is one of the fun-filled festivals celebrated with a grand feast for the local monkeys. On this day fruits, vegetables, and other treats are served to the monkeys. In Thailand, monkeys are considered sacred and the festival is celebrated to honour them. Both locals and tourists visit to celebrate this festival. This unique festival celebrated in Thailand represents the relationship that humans and animals hold. Plan a trip to Thailand around this festival so that you can also witness this unique festival and enjoy its traditions. 

• Location: Lopburi, Thailand 
• Date: November’s last Sunday 
• Highlights: Decorated streets and a grand feast for the local monkeys. 

The Surin Elephant Festival is one of the main festivals in Thailand, celebrated in the Surin Province. This festival usually occurs in November and during this festival, the role of elephants in Thai history and culture is celebrated. Here visitors can enjoy some wonderful displays of the skills of these giant mammals including mock battles, parades, and traditional dances. On this day, the elephants are dressed up in ceremonial dresses and they perform in front of a huge crowd. This Surin Elephant Festival showcases the respect and affection of Thai people towards these animals. 

• Location: Thailand Surin Province
• Date: November 
• Highlights: Traditional Dance, Elephant parades, and mock battles.

The Boon Bang Fai is a lively and colourful event celebrated in the northeastern part of Thailand. The date of this festival usually falls in May. People make rockets at home for this festival and they launch them in the sky as a sign of encouraging rainfall for the rice plantation in the coming year. Locals and visitors come together to witness these flying rockets and enjoy traditional parades, dance, and music. This unique festival showcases nature and the community’s unique connection. Visitors will get to enjoy local Thai meals from the food stalls while enjoying the performances. 

• Location: Thailand’s Northeastern part 
• Date: May 
• Highlights: Launching homemade rockets, traditional performances and parades.

Buffalo is Thailand’s iconic symbol of Agriculture and the rural life of Thai People. The Wing Kwai Festival is also known as the Buffalo Racing Festival. This is one of the most exciting and joyous festivals for the people of Thailand and it is most celebrated in Chonburi at an 80 km distance. This festival takes place after the end of the monsoon. It lasts for around 2 weeks and is expected to fall in October but the specific date is announced at least a month before the festival. Thailand’s buffalos are lumbering and slow beasts but their speed during the race will surprise all the visitors. 

• Location: Chonburi, Thailand 
• Date: October 
• Highlights: Buffalo race and evening performances.

The Wonderfruit Music and Arts Festival is one of the most joyous celebrations of music and art, usually held every year in December. This festival is celebrated for straight 5 days. This is not just a music festival but it is a transformative experience. Here you will get to see wonderful musical performances, attend workshops, and engage in wellness activities. This festival showcases environmental consciousness. The main aim of this festival is to unite the global community. If you plan to visit Thailand around this festival then you must attend this festival and immerse yourself in the Thai culture and art.

• Location: Thailand’s Pattaya 
• Date: December 
• Highlights: Yoga workshops, musical performances, and wellness activities

This is a Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon night of February. On Makha Bucha Day around 1250 monks come together to hear Buddha’s teachings. This festival is celebrated to honour the teachings of Buddha on morality and compassion. You must visit the temples during this time to seek peace and soak in the spirituality. Thai festivals like these are ideal for learning about the Buddhist practices and religion of the country. If you happen to visit Thailand during this festival, then it is a must to attend and learn more about Thai beliefs and culture. 

• Location: Countrywide, Celebrated in all the temples of Thailand 
• Date: February (full moon night)
• Highlights: Visiting temples, merit-making ceremonies, and Candlelit processions. 

This is another Buddhist festival celebrated on the Full Moon Night in May.  This festival marks Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. On this Day Thailand’s Buddhists participate in activities like making merit, visiting temples, and attending sermons. This practice symbolises Buddha’s teachings which are the key parts of all the Buddhist festivals celebrated in Thailand. The festival provides a deep spiritual experience and an opportunity to learn about Buddha’s teachings and life.

• Location: Countrywide, Celebrated in all the temples of Thailand
• Date: Full moon Night in May 
• Highlights: Honouring the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha 

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal event in Thailand that is celebrated to mark the start of the ice-growing season. This ceremony takes place in May and it is performed to agricultural fortunes of the upcoming year. This ceremony involves the ploughing of a ceremonial field with sacred oxen and various crops are offered to the oxen to see which one is preferred by them. This Royal Ploughing Ceremony reflects the importance of agriculture in Thailand and shares a glimpse into historical practices by which modern farming is influenced. This is one of the key events in Thailand’s calendar and highlights the country’s importance for its cultural heritage. This is one of the famous festivals in Thailand which attracts a huge crowd every year. 

• Location: Sanam Luang in Thailand’s Capital 
• Date: May 
• Highlights: Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Ancient agricultural rituals

Chiang Mai flower festival has been celebrated in Thailand for over 40 years and during this festival, people celebrate the beautiful blooming flowers of the season. This festival is celebrated for 3 days at February's start and it attracts thousands of tourists to Chiang Mai. On the first day of this flower festival, visitors can see an agricultural fair and a Foral Arrangement exhibition. The other 2 days include an elaborate display of flowers. A fair during this flower festival in Chiang Mai showcases the local work of music shows, art, and ornamental plants. People also participate in the competition for the most creative and beautiful display. And the most interesting part about this festival is choosing the queen. 

• Location: Chiang Mai 
• Date: February 
• Highlights: Parades, ornamental plants display, music shows, and art shows.

Celebrated by the Chinese community, the Chinese New Year is one of the prime Festivals in Thailand. Chinese New Year usually falls between the 21st of January and the 20th of February, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year. People here welcome the Chinese New Year with vibrant parades with lion and dragon dances, fireworks, and traditional music. During this time families and friends come along to enjoy delicious meals, exchange red envelopes with money, and rituals are performed to honour ancestors. These Thai festivals showcase the cultural diversity of Thailand. Chinese New Year creates a festive atmosphere in prime cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok, here the Chinese communities celebrate their traditions and heritage. 

• Location: Countrywide, especially in Chinatown of Bangkok 
• Date: between the 21st of January and the 20th of February
• Highlights: Fireworks, dragon dances, and Chinese rituals.

Also known as Queen’s Day and King’s Day these are two of the main Festivals in Thailand that are celebrated to honour the King and Queen on their Birthday. Queen’s Birthday is celebrated on 12th August and King’s Birthday is Celebrated on 5th December. These Days include various activites and ceremonies like public celebrations, performances, parades, and candlelight vigils. The buildings and streets of Thailand are decorated with blue and yellow lights which reflect the royal colour of the queen and king. King’s and Queen’s Birthday are the two important events of Festivals in Thailand and it reflects Thai People’s admiration and respect towards them. 

• Location: Countrywide
• Date: 12th August (Mother’s Day) and 5th December (Father’s Day)
• Highlights: public celebrations, performances, parades, and candlelight vigils. 

Asalha Puja also known as Asalha Bucha is a Buddhist festival in thailand that celebrates the first Buddhist establishment and the Sermon of Buddha. This Thai Festival is celebrated on the 8th lunar month’s full moon night. Asalha Puja usually falls in July and it is a significant festival for Theravada Buddhists. Several people in Thailand visit their hometowns or visit temples to perform activities like listening to Buddhist sermons and giving alms. The celebration also includes participating in a wian tian. In the evening, Participants walk clockwise around the ordination hall three times. 

• Location: Countrywide in Thailand’s temple 
• Date: On the full moon night in July month 
• Highlights: listening to Buddhist sermons, giving alms, and participating in a wian tian.

The Mekong Naga Fireball Festival is one of the most fascinating festivals in Thailand. During this festival, people gather along the Mekong River to see the red 'fireballs' shoot up into the sky. Here you can see hundreds or thousands of fireballs. The local Thai people believe that a giant serpent a giant serpent resides within the river and this phenomenon is attributed to this mythical Phaya Nak. This festival usually occurs around the end of the year or Buddhist Lent’s end. Other than fireworks you can also attend religious ceremonies, Cultural Performances, and Local Fairs. 

• Location: Thailand’s Nong Khai Province
• Date: In October or Buddhist Lent’s end
• Highlights:  Shooting up red fireballs and local celebrations.

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, also known as the Candle Festival of Thailand is a special event that celebrates the Buddhist Lent. This Candle Festival in Thailand is known for its beautifully carved candles. These candles are made of wax and most of the time these candles have detailed cultural and religious designs. As a part of Buddhist traditions, these candles are offered to temples to support and honour the monks. The candle festival also includes vibrant parades followed by dance and music performances. This event is a great example of a cultural festival in Thailand, which also showcases religious devotion and local artistry. 

• Location: Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand
• Date: July during the Buddhist Lent.
• Highlights: cultural performances and candles carved from wax

The Dance and Music Festival is an event celebrated annually in Bangkok. This dance and music festival celebrates a wide range of performances. During this annual festival, international and local artists showcase various genres of dance and music that also include modern acts and Thai performances. Highlighting the rich artistic scene in Bangkok, these festivals in Thailand offer a vibrant cultural experience to all the visitors and locals attending these functions. Being a big dance and music festival in Bangkok, this festival provides a platform for artists to showcase their talent and visitors get a chance to enjoy live performances and spend an enjoyable trip to Thailand. 

• Location: Thailand’s Capital, Bangkok
• Date: November 
• Highlights: various genres of dance and music, modern acts, live music, and Thai performances.