Top 10 Best Thai Festivals You Must See in Thailand

Marc (Curious Bear) 9 min read

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Are you into fun festivals and exciting celebrations? Then you are in luck, as Thailand has some of the most extravagant festivals yearly that attract many local and foreign tourists.

Thailand's festivals are an intricate part of what makes the nation tick. They are an example of how their colorful culture and ways penetrate every part of life in the Kingdom. 

Here are the top 10 essential Thai festivals you should not miss on your tour for once in a lifetime experience:

Experience the Magic Vibrant Thai Festivals

Thailand's festivals are a window into its rich heritage and vibrant traditions. These celebrations are more than just events; they are immersive experiences showcasing the Kingdom's unique blend of spirituality, community, and joyous revelry. From the awe-inspiring lantern releases of Yi Peng in Chiang Mai to the playful water fights of Songkran, each festival offers a glimpse into Thai life that will leave lasting memories. Whether you're drawn to the cultural significance of Loy Krathong or the lively chaos of the Full Moon Party, these festivals are a must-see for any traveler seeking an authentic Thai experience.

#10 Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival

Image Source: Great Big Story

When: Last Sunday of November Every Year
Where: Phra Prang Sam Yot temple, Lopburi 

If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys! Lopburi is 176 km north of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) and is home to the unique Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival, held each November at the Phra Prang Sam Yot Temple.

The temple is overrun with monkeys, so each year, they organize the most enormous monkey buffet the world has ever seen! The banquet is for 3,000 monkeys and combines 4 tons of fruit, vegetables, and other edibles. It’s like Mad Hatter’s tea party with more intelligent conversation and better manners. The temple grounds are usually a den of tranquility, but not during this unique festival.

Do be careful if you reach for some food, or primates might swarm you! It sounds like an all-you-can-eat Thai BBQ buffet! When it comes to festivals, nobody does it like in Thailand.

#9 Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival 

Image Source: Thailand Now

When: Every October after the Rainy Season
Where: Chonburi City 

I'm not sure about you, but I have run away from a few buffaloes and have never ridden on one. The Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival might seem like a fun and friendly Thailand event, and it is, but do not underestimate how seriously the buffalo breeders and contestants take these races.

The racing has been taking place for over 100 years and is a colorful spectacle that attracts many local spectators and Western onlookers from Bangkok and Pattaya. The races are fun; there are many food and drink stalls, live concerts, and much more, making this a fascinating experience.

#8 Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan

Image Source: We Love Travel Guides

When: Full Moon of Every Month through the Year
Where: Koh Phangan (Koh Phangan) Island

In 1985, a group of tourists discovered the beauty of the full moon in Koh Phangan and spent a night partying. From that moment on, Haad Rin Cove became a party beach every month on the night of the full moon.

The full moon party kicks off at dusk and continues through the night, making the beach one of the biggest open-air nightclubs until dawn. It receives more than 30,000 visitors. The local and international DJs play loud music, and bars serve drinks and cocktails all night. If you are in Thailand, you don't want to miss this crazy full-moon party. You can get glow-in-the-dark body paint and a drinks bucket, a tradition.

If you are a party freak, this is the sort of party you have been waiting for and should be on your bucket list, which makes it one of the top 10 Thai festivals.

#7 Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai)

Image Source: Its Better in Thailand

When: Beginning of the rainy season in May
Where: Phaya Thaen Public Park, Yasothon

Bun Bang Fai, or the Rocket Festival, is another excellent way to experience the rich culture and tradition of native Thailand. The rocket festival is celebrated in the northeastern part of Thailand in Yasothon on the weekends in the middle of May, just before the start of the crop plantation period. The origins of this festival date back centuries ago, and firing the rockets into the sky means enchanting the rain gods for a good monsoon season.

Visitors can enjoy dance and music parades throughout the three-day celebrations, followed by a spectacular competition of rockets fired into the skies. This festival has become so popular that more than 50,000 visitors attend it yearly, and many foreigners also participate in rocket competitions.

#6 Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Image Source: Travel and Leisure Asia

When: 9th Lunar Month of the Chinese Calendar
Where: Phuket Town 

One of the most covered Thailand events in media terms is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The festival has become infamous because of the strange acts of self-mutilation that occur, making it one of the goriest festivals in the world. In Phuket Town, this festival runs for 9 days in the 9th lunar month, which usually falls in September or October every year; the festival deals with the darker side of the spirit and supernatural world.

Popularized in men’s magazines such as FHM and Maxim, photos of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival usually center around Thai men sticking objects into their bodies, such as metal poles, machine guns, and even hooks, which takes place in the last couple of days of the event. Over the 9 days, the streets are closed in the evening, and there are many vegetarian food stalls, music shows, and all manner of carnival things taking place. 

If you are in Phuket in September or October, we would strongly recommend you head over to Phuket Town with your camera in hand to enjoy the fun of one of the best festivals here.

#5 Ghost Festival (Phi Ta Khon)

Image Source: rove.me

When: Weekend of the 6th Full Moon on the Lunar Calendar
Where: Dan Sai, Loei Province 

You might not believe in superstitions and ghosts, but Thai people most definitely do. This three-day festival, known as the Ghost Festival (Phi Ta Khon), takes place in Dan Sai, which is in the Loei Province in the north, about a 3-hour journey from Chiang Mai.

Combining local traditions, spirituality, and a party-like atmosphere, thousands of locals visit this Thai event in masks. It is a mixture of Buddhist and animist beliefs. This Thai festival is always held on the weekend of the 6th full moon on the lunar calendar. Ghost festival is observed annually during the rainy season roughly from late June to early July.

The festival is supposed to recreate a party that both the dead and the living would like to attend. There are lots of pageants and live music shows. So, if you want to know more about Thai superstitions and ghosts, this event is unmissable and among the top 10 festivals.

#4 Chinese New Year

When: First Day of the Chinese Lunar Year between January and February
Where: Chinatown of Bangkok

Thailand has a large Chinese population, and the Chinese New Year celebration here is a big festival. The main celebrations are held in the Chinatown of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). It is the beauty of Thailand that different communities live together in harmony and celebrate all the festivals together.

The streets of Chinatown are decorated with traditional Chinese lanterns and filled with crowds of worshipers and dragon dancers. The Chinese New Year is celebrated between January and February, which marks the first day of the Chinese lunar year. During Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangkok, you can enjoy discount sales in shopping malls, promotional offers, and cultural performances.

#3 Lantern Festival (Yi Peng)

Image Source: Lonely Planet

When: Full Moon Night of the 2nd Month of the Thai Lanna Calendar
Where: Chiang Mai

Taking place over the same period as Loy Krathong in October and sometimes November, depending on the year, the Lantern Festival (Yi Peng) is quite possibly the most stunning in aesthetics. This Thai festival takes place on the banks of the Peng River in Chiang Mai. It is a remarkable sight you must see firsthand at least once.

Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky at the festival, a sight to behold. Bring your camera, and you will get some of the most outstanding photos imaginable. 

#2 Loy Krathong Festival (Festival of Lights)

Image Source: Fan Club Thailand

When: Full Moon of the 12th Month of the Thai Lunar Calendar
Where: Nationwide

Loy Krathong is one of the most fascinating and colorful spectacles of any Thai festival held throughout the year. The festival is routinely held on the Full Moon, usually the 12th month of the Lunar Calendar, and falls in November on the Gregorian calendar. In Thai, the word loy means “float” and krathong means “container, boat, or vessel,” hence people float a krathong decorated with candles and flowers onto rivers and canals (or anywhere with water!).

On the festival's evening, all stretches of water in Thailand are filled with decorative floats. You can buy Krathongs or make them yourself from a banana tree trunk, leaves, and many flowers. Casting the floats out across the water signifies casting away the stresses and troubles of the past lunar year.

In addition to the tradition of assembling and floating krathong, the festival is also known for its spectacular Thai dance, historical plays, and concession stands—the hallmark of any Thai festival.

While you can find Loy Krathong celebrated all throughout Thailand, wherever there’s water, some of the most famous destinations for Loy Krathong festivities are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen, and Tak.

#1 Songkran - Thai New Year (Water Festival)

When: 13th to 15th of April
Where: Nationwide 

Songkran Thai New Year is the world’s biggest and most exciting water festival. The Thai festival can last a week or more, depending on the region.

When you have to drench everyone on the street and smear them in talcum powder, accept no substitutes. Songkran is Thai New Year, which is routinely held on the 13th of April and lasts 3 days in most areas. However, we recommend a 5-Day Songkran Getaway Tour to fully experience the ultimate New Year celebration.

In Phuket, the water festival is just 24 hours. But it can take a week or more to unfold in places such as Pattaya, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), and Chiang Mai. Those are just among the best destinations to celebrate Songkran in Thailand. The streets will be awash with water pistol-toting badasses trying to drench you thoroughly. So make sure you are a hunter and not the hunted.

Moreover, ensure that you leave your valuables in your hotel safe. Or water from the pistols might not be the only kind leaking from your face. Being the most significant festival, it takes the top spot on my list of top 10 Thai festivals.

🐻 Top 10 Recap: Essential Thai Festivals You Can't Miss

Get ready to experience Thailand’s vibrant culture and traditions with these Top 10 Essential Thai Festivals! Each celebration offers unique insights into Thai life, from playful water fights to awe-inspiring lantern releases.

🐻 Make the Most of Thailand Festivals!

From self-mutilation and ghostly spiritual happenings to racing buffaloes at breakneck speeds, releasing colorful lanterns, lots of monkey business, and everything in between, you have never lived if you haven’t experienced a few of these unique events. Thai festivals bring together the entire nation. It is the perfect time to see the local people at their best. 

If you want to experience an authentic slice of Thai culture and life, visit one of these festivals on holiday and immerse yourself in the Thai experience.

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