Thailand Festival Calendar 2026
Every Festival Worth Planning a Trip Around
Thailand celebrates dozens of festivals throughout the year — from the world-famous Songkran water fight to ghost parades in remote Isan villages. This guide covers every major festival in 2026 with exact dates, locations, and what to expect when you get there.
2026 Festival Dates at a Glance
| Festival | Date | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makha Buchaมาฆบูชา | February 12 | Nationwide (temples) | Buddhist Holy Day |
| Songkranสงกรานต์ | April 13–15 | Nationwide — biggest in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket | National Holiday |
| Royal Ploughing Ceremonyพระราชพิธีพืชมงคล | May (date set by Royal Household) | Sanam Luang, Bangkok | National Holiday |
| Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)บุญบั้งไฟ | May 8–10 | Yasothon, Isan (Northeast Thailand) | Regional Festival |
| Visakha Buchaวิสาขบูชา | May 12 | Nationwide (temples) | Buddhist Holy Day |
| Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival)ผีตาโขน | June 20–22 | Dan Sai, Loei Province | Regional Festival |
| Asanha Bucha & Khao Phansaอาสาฬหบูชา / เข้าพรรษา | July 10–11 | Nationwide (temples) | Buddhist Holy Day |
| Vegetarian Festivalเทศกาลกินเจ | October 11–19 | Phuket, Bangkok Chinatown | Regional Festival |
| Loi Krathongลอยกระทง | November 25 | Nationwide — biggest in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Bangkok | National Holiday |
| Yi Peng (Sky Lantern Festival)ยี่เป็ง | November 24–25 | Chiang Mai | Regional Festival |
| His Majesty the King's Birthdayวันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา | July 28 | Nationwide — centered in Bangkok | National Holiday |
The Big Three: Festivals Every Visitor Should See
If you can only plan your trip around one festival, make it one of these. They're the most visually spectacular, most accessible, and most culturally significant celebrations in the country.
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Thailand's New Year and the world's biggest water fight. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2024. What started as a gentle water-pouring blessing has evolved into a multi-day nationwide celebration of renewal, respect, and absolute soaking.
- ✦Massive street water fights
- ✦Song Nam Phra temple blessings
- ✦Floral shirt tradition
- ✦UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Loi Krathong
ลอยกระทง
Thailand's Festival of Lights. At dusk, people place small lotus-shaped floats (krathong) carrying candles, flowers, and incense onto rivers and lakes — symbolizing letting go of negativity and making wishes. One of the most beautiful nights in Thailand.
- ✦Floating lotus candle offerings
- ✦Letting go of negativity
- ✦Stunning riverside atmosphere
- ✦Beauty pageants and live music
Yi Peng (Sky Lantern Festival)
ยี่เป็ง
A Lanna tradition unique to Northern Thailand. Thousands of glowing paper lanterns (khom loi) are released into the night sky, creating a sea of floating lights. Often coincides with Loi Krathong for an unforgettable double celebration.
- ✦Thousands of sky lanterns released
- ✦Lanna cultural tradition
- ✦Coincides with Loi Krathong
- ✦Best viewed in Chiang Mai
Month-by-Month Festival Calendar
Plan your Thailand trip around the festivals that interest you most. Each month has something worth seeing.
February
Makha Bucha
มาฆบูชา
Commemorates the day 1,250 disciples spontaneously gathered to hear the Buddha preach. Candlelit processions (Wien Thien) circle temple halls after dark. Alcohol sales are banned.
📍 Nationwide (temples)
April
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Thailand's New Year and the world's biggest water fight. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2024. What started as a gentle water-pouring blessing has evolved into a multi-day nationwide celebration of renewal, respect, and absolute soaking.
📍 Nationwide — biggest in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket
May
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
พระราชพิธีพืชมงคล
An ancient Brahmin ceremony marking the start of the rice-growing season. Sacred oxen are offered a selection of foods — their choices predict the year's harvest. One of Thailand's oldest rituals, attended by the King.
📍 Sanam Luang, Bangkok
Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)
บุญบั้งไฟ
Villagers build massive homemade rockets — some over 10 meters long — and launch them skyward to ask the rain gods for a good planting season. Three days of parades, dancing, music, and explosive competition. Isan at its wildest.
📍 Yasothon, Isan (Northeast Thailand)
Visakha Bucha
วิสาขบูชา
The most important Buddhist holiday — marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, all on the same full moon. Temples fill with worshippers for candlelit processions. Alcohol sales are banned.
📍 Nationwide (temples)
June
Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival)
ผีตาโขน
Thailand's most photogenic festival. Locals parade through town in hand-carved ghost masks with long noses and wild eyes, linked to the Buddhist tale of Prince Vessandorn. When the prince returned from exile, the celebration was so loud that spirits from the forest joined the parade.
📍 Dan Sai, Loei Province
July
Asanha Bucha & Khao Phansa
อาสาฬหบูชา / เข้าพรรษา
Asanha Bucha marks the Buddha's first sermon. The following day, Khao Phansa, begins Buddhist Lent — a three-month retreat period for monks during the rainy season. The Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani features enormous carved wax candle floats.
📍 Nationwide (temples)
His Majesty the King's Birthday
วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา
Thailand's national day. Buildings are draped in yellow (the King's birth color). Candlelit ceremonies take place nationwide, with the largest at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.
📍 Nationwide — centered in Bangkok
October
Vegetarian Festival
เทศกาลกินเจ
Nine days of strict vegetarian eating, spiritual purification, and — in Phuket — extreme acts of devotion like fire-walking and body piercing. Restaurants fly yellow flags to signal vegetarian menus. Bangkok's Chinatown fills with mock-meat street food.
📍 Phuket, Bangkok Chinatown
November
Loi Krathong
ลอยกระทง
Thailand's Festival of Lights. At dusk, people place small lotus-shaped floats (krathong) carrying candles, flowers, and incense onto rivers and lakes — symbolizing letting go of negativity and making wishes. One of the most beautiful nights in Thailand.
📍 Nationwide — biggest in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Bangkok
A Lanna tradition unique to Northern Thailand. Thousands of glowing paper lanterns (khom loi) are released into the night sky, creating a sea of floating lights. Often coincides with Loi Krathong for an unforgettable double celebration.
📍 Chiang Mai
Practical Tips for Festival Travel
Book Early
Accommodation near major festivals books out weeks in advance. Songkran in Chiang Mai, Yi Peng, and Vegetarian Festival in Phuket are especially competitive. Book at least a month ahead for the best rates.
Alcohol Bans
Buddhist holy days (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha) have nationwide alcohol sales bans. Bars and restaurants won't serve alcohol. Stock up the day before if needed.
Temple Etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees at temples. Remove shoes before entering buildings. Don't point your feet at Buddha images. Dress respectfully — this is especially important during religious festivals.
Transport Chaos
Major festivals cause massive traffic. Songkran week sees millions travel between Bangkok and their home provinces. Book buses and trains early, and expect delays during peak festival days.