Top 16 Festivals In Thailand

1. Songkran Festival

The word “Songkran” comes from the Sanskrit language, which means transformation or change, and the event was initially celebrated as the official New Year in the country until 1888. Even though it is no longer adopted as Thailand’s New Year, Songkran is still celebrated yearly as a grand festival. It takes place on the 13th of April annually, which is also a public holiday. In so many parts of the country, the celebration starts a week before with the cleaning and decoration of homes, streets, and the exchange of gifts. Enjoy a full week of laughter, fun, reflection, and don’t forget to whisper “sawatdee pi mai” (Happy New Year) to everyone you see.

Songkran Festival

Address:156/21 Phetchaburi Rd Bangkok, Thailand 10400

Website: Songkran Festival

Takes place: April 13 to 15

Price: Free

2. Surin Elephant Festival

Elephants are an integral part of Thailand’s heritage as they were once used for travel, agriculture, and even wars. This event is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of these giants in many aspects of the country’s wellbeing. Don’t miss the excitement of this event with parades of elephants, which are being fed with vegetables and fruits. You will love the buzzing street and the sights of the elephants, dressed with paste and flowers. Take pictures with these lovely animals, and also catch some of their incredible and unbelievable shows.

Surin Elephant Festival

Address: Nok Mueang | Si Narong Stadium, Surin 32000, Thailand

Takes place: November

Price: 4 USD

3. Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

This event is like nothing you have experienced before. Several sculptors from around the country and beyond assemble at Ubon Ratchathani to make and exhibit their candlewax crafts. It is a two-day event that features Thai traditional music and dance, and parades with large-scale candlewax sculptures. Another highlight of the fair is the lighting of candles in the shrine for happiness and peace. Check out the incredible exhibits lined up on the grounds, dance to the tune of the traditional music, and have a grand time with friends and family.

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

Address: Thung Si Muang,Nai Mueang, Ubon Ratchathani 34000, Thailand

Takes place: July

4. Phi Ta Khon, Isan

This event is the main attraction to the laidback village of Dan Sai in the northeastern part of the country. Experience the authentic tradition of Thai people in this fair, which involves a grand parade of girls, boys, and men in local regalia and masks. Some of the men carry wooden axes with handles or a Bhalad Khik, a large wooden phallic charm. Apart from experiencing this impressive parade, you can also visit the two main temples in the village, offering myriads of activities and traditional dancing on stage. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event you shouldn’t miss.

Phi Ta Khon, Isan

Address: Loei Province 201, Muang Loei, Loei, Thailand 42000

Takes place: Usually held between March to July

5. Yi Peng (The Lantern Festival)

Join thousands of locals and tourists in this beautiful lantern festival that is held at Chiang Mai, yearly. Chiang Mai, the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, is a historical location, which is adorned with moats and ancient, worn-out buildings. The Yi Peng’s main highlight is the releasing of Chinese paper lanterns into the sky, which signifies being free from all the problems of the past year. Go early to find a great spot to maximize your participation, and also the magnificent views. You will also enjoy live music performances as you watch the incredible views of the night sky.

Yi Peng (The Lantern Festival)

Address: Royal Park Rajapruek & Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai Chiang Mai, Thailand 50100

Website: Yi Peng - The Lantern Festival

Takes place: Usally held in November

Price: 166 USD

6. Wing Kwai

Buffalo racing has been a tradition among Thailand’s farmers to appreciate the animals for their hard work in the fields and to mark the beginning of another sowing season. The buffalo is the main feature of the Wing Kwai, which includes buffalo racing and a beauty contest. The fair takes place in a carnival-like atmosphere close to the Chonburi City Hall. You will enjoy the thrills and the chattering of crowds as the buffalos’ race down the 328.1-feet (100-meter) long grounds. There are also food stalls on-site in case you need to refuel your energy.

Wing Kwai

Address: 50 Bangsaen Beach 1 Road, Tumbon Saensuk Amphur Muang, Chonburi 20130 Thailand.

Takes place: October

7. Lopburi Monkey Banquet

Monkeys are always welcomed in this country because the Thai people believe in a legend, which has it that Hanuman, a Hindu deity, rescued a god’s daughter from a demon on the country’s grounds. These animals are abundant in Lopburi, and the locals organize this festival annually to celebrate their existence. Come with your cameras and take shots and videos of how over 3,000 monkeys will devour the seeds, vegetables, fruits, kept for them in the town’s main temple area. However, the experience is better enjoyed from a distance.

Lopburi Monkey Banquet

Address: Tha Hin, Mueang Lop Buri District, Lopburi, Thailand

Takes place: Last Sunday of November

8. Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Do you enjoy seeing unbelievable and gruesome sights? Then you shouldn’t miss the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, a grand celebration, which takes place yearly in October. A month before the festival, the participants abstain from onions, garlic, meat, and other foods. During the event, they engage in body mortification – including laying on a bed of knives, walking on hot coals, and face piercings. They believe that these horrific acts will compel the gods to protect them from evil. Other highlights you will get to enjoy include energetic chanting, dancing, and fireworks. A piece of advice: this event is not for the faint-hearted.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Address: Phuket, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand

Takes place: October

9. Mekong Naga Fireballs

The Mekong Naga Fireballs is a fascinating event that takes place every October and welcomes thousands of people from around the globe. People gather around to see big reddish-pink balls of light rise from the river to the night sky without human involvement. Is this mysterious, or does it have scientific proof? Scientists claim that the event is due to the burning of Sulphur, which is in abundance due to the marshy state of the waterbody, while the locals believe that it is due to the divine intervention of Phaya Naga, a serpent-like creature. Whatever may be the case, you can’t miss the spectacular sights.

Mekong Naga Fireballs

Address: Nong Khai in North-East, Non Thai, Thailand

Takes place: October

10. Chinese New Year

While walking the streets of this beautiful country, you may wonder if the Thai people and the Chinese have the same origin. This is because of the high population of the Chinese in the country, which has also made the Chinese New Year a grand celebration. And if you want to experience the best of this fest, then you should hit Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown. Of course, Chinese offerings are the main highlights – including Chinese cuisines, traditional dragon dancers, and firecrackers in the sky. It is a whole weekend of laughter and glamor.

Chinese New Year

Address: Yaowarat Rd, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand

Takes place: Usually held in January or February

11. Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Thailand is a country with the most plant biodiversity in Southeast Asia, and Chiang Mai city is the origin of many of these plants. For this feature, the region is nicknamed “the Rose of the North,” with some rose species exclusive to the town. And this festival is a chance to see incredible displays of flowers from around the country. The three-day event features a procession of massive decorated flower floats, dancers adorned with local hill tribe and Thai tradition attires, and uniformed music bands marching through the town. Other highlights include Chiang Mai’s flower queen beauty pageant and plant-display competitions.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Address: Suan Bruk Haad, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Takes place: First Friday to Sunday of February

12. Boon Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)

Boon Bang Fai is a two-day event that features the launching of massive locally-made rockets as a gesture to God for sufficient rain through the farming year. The noisy, two-day festival involves many participants who contest for the highest launch. The rockets are set into upward motion by stuffing the bamboo base with gunpowder and set on fire. Aside from the thrilling sights, you will also experience a beauty queen contest, folklore bands performances, street theaters, and street parades. You will enjoy the bustling and carnival-like atmosphere.

Boon Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)

Address: Phaya Thaen park, Yasothon, Yasothon, Thailand

Takes place: Second weekend of May

13. Loi Krathong

Loi Krathong is celebrated throughout the country, but you should consider attending the one held at Chiang Mai since it takes place at the same time as the Yi Peng. It is like attending two festivals with colorful sights – beautiful candle lights, flowing on the river for the Loi Krathong, and above, the views of Yi Peng’s paper lanterns. Both of these festivals have a common aim – to prevent bad luck. Aside from these incredible sights, you will also get to experience Thai and Lanna cultural performances, and taste their distinctive beverages, desserts, food, and snacks.

Loi Krathong

Address: Mae Sa, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Takes place: November

14. River Kwai Bridge Week

This fest is celebrated to honor Asian workers and prisoners of war who constructed the Hellfire Pass, the Bridge of the River Kwai, and the famous Death Railway. The event, which takes place at Kanchanaburi, features a sound and light show of World War II, cultural performances, a concert, mini motor shows, exhibitions, and vendors selling local products. Aside from this fair, this town also has several other attractions – including the World War II Museum and Art Gallery, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Underwater City, and much more to explore.

River Kwai Bridge Week

Address: River Kwai Bridge, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Takes place: November to December

15. Nang Yai Shadow Puppet Festival

The Nang Yai or “large puppet” is a form of shadow theater, famous in ancient times (13th century), in which puppeteers dance with cutout leather shapes. These figures appear on a semi-transparent cloth screen and are very entertaining and beautiful to see. Although this visual art was nearly lost, efforts were made in the late 20th century to revive it, and this festival is one of those interventions. It takes place at Nang Yai Museum and highlights craft and art demonstrations, puppet show scenes from the Ramakien, and lots of folk performances from around the country.

Nang Yai Shadow Puppet Festival

Address: Nang Yai Museum, Wat Khanon, Ratchaburi

Takes place: April

16. Pai Jazz and Blues Festival

For music lovers, the Pai Jazz and Blues Festival has something spectacular for you. This fest takes place in Pai, a lush part of Thailand and a hidden gem of the valley. The event is more than a festival; it is also a tour of this region’s incredible offerings. The fair welcomes individuals and groups of musicians from around the country who will display their skills at restaurants, bars, and cafes around the city. Take your loved ones along to enjoy the natural scene of Pai, as well as local delicacies and beverages as you enjoy the jams of regional music.

Pai Jazz and Blues Festival

Address: Pai, Thailand (Vary Venues)

Website: Pai Jazz and Blues Festival

Takes place: July

Price: Free

Enjoy a unique experience

From the magnificent beaches, parks, museums, ancient structures, festivals, and smiles on the beautiful faces of the locals, there are more than enough reasons to visit this country. If you are a cultural or history buff, the festivals that are held year-round will keep you in high spirits throughout your stay. To enjoy out-of-the-world experiences of spectacular sights of lanterns in the night sky, lighted candles on the river, gruesome looks of mortified bodies, and more, hit these top festivals in Thailand.