Thailand has earned widespread acclaim for its vibrant tapestry of traditional festivals, serving as a perennial draw for tourists from all corners of the globe.
If you find yourself contemplating a journey to Thailand this year, don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage by participating in its array of unique, lively, and sometimes “extraordinary” festivals.
From the dazzling spectacle of Loy Krathong to the colorful exuberance of Songkran, these captivating events promise not only to enchant you but also to provide unforgettable memories that will undoubtedly be the highlight of your Thailand tour.
List of 12 Traditional Festivals in Thailand in 2024
1. Lunar New Year in Chinatown (January – February)
Chinatown in Bangkok isn’t just a busy place for fun and entertainment; it’s also a bustling neighborhood where Chinese and Thai-Chinese people live and come together.
When Lunar New Year comes, the whole area buzzes with energy and colorful celebrations. You can partake in the Lunar New Year festivities across various locations in Thailand, such as Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, and Phuket.
Tourists can see the lion dance with lively music in the Chinatown – Thailand during this festival
Lunar New Year celebrations typically last for two to three days. During this festival, Chinatown lights up with traditional festivities that bring people together. There are lively lion dances, exciting parades, and delicious food that showcase the rich culture of the Chinese community in Thailand.
Remember to wear red, a color believed to bring luck in Chinese traditions, and extend your wishes for a Happy Lunar New Year to everyone you meet with phrases like “Gong Xi Fa Cai” in Mandarin or “Gong Hey Fat Choy” in Cantonese.
- Date: Around the 1st day of the first lunar month. In 2025, Lunar New Year in Thailand will fall on January 29.
- Location: Chinatowns in Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Nakhon Sawan, Bangkok, Phuket.
2. Chiang Mai Flower Festival (February)
This festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is one of the biggest events of the year. It’s all about flowers! You’ll see a colorful parade with famous flowers like golden daisies, roses, and dianthus. But the real stars of the show are the orchids, loved by everyone for their different colors and types.
The best part of the festival is watching the flower parade and the beautiful boats floating down the streets. And don’t forget to check out the local crafts and goodies too!
- Date: 3-day festival in February, typically held on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of February.
- Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand.
3. Songkran Festival – Thai New Year (April)
Besides being famous for the fun water-splashing festivities, Songkran is also the traditional Thai New Year celebration. It is one of the most significant festivals in Thailand, showing off the country’s culture, emphasizing the value of family, community, and doing good deeds.
Songkran Water Fight – The most interesting part of this festival in Thailand
The best parts of the festival are the playful water fights (the wetter you are, the luckier you will be this new year), pouring water over Buddha statues, folk shows, and old-fashioned games…
- Date: April 13th, 14th, and 15th every year.
- Location: Everywhere in Thailand.
4. Yasothon Bun Bangfai – Rocket Festival (May)
One of the typical traditional festivals in Thailand is Yasothon Bun Bangfai. This is a rocket festival organized by the people of Laos and the Thai ethnic groups in northeastern Thailand to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests.
The most exciting part of the festival happens on the third day when people compete to shoot off their homemade rockets. These rockets are made from bamboo, PVC pipes, steel tubes, and gunpowder. Apart from that, there are lots of other fun things to do, like listening to music, watching boat races, and checking out the festival stalls.
- Date: Usually in May every year, before the rainy season. In 2024, The Rocket Festival Thailand will be held on May 10th and May 12th. In 2025, the festival will take place from May 9th to May 11th.
- Location: Yasothon, Thailand.
5. Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival in Loei (June)
This festival holds great spiritual importance in the traditional culture of northeastern Thailand. It’s a way for people to thank the spirits that they believe have looked after them.
Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival in Thailand
Think of it like Halloween in the West. During the Phi Ta Khon ghost festival, everyone wears spooky masks and colorful costumes, hiding their real faces. If you’re in Thailand during this festival, you’re in for some truly memorable experiences.
- Date: Usually held in June or July every year. In 2024, the festival will take place from Sunday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 9.
- Location: Loei Province, in North East Thailand.
6. Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival (July)
The Ubon Candle Festival is an ancient tradition celebrated by the folks in North East Thailand. It signals the start of the Buddhist Lent, a three-month period.
The main attraction of the festival is the stunning candle and wax parades made by talented Thai artists. If you visit during this time, you can join in activities like offering candles and enjoying light and music shows.
- Date: Typically runs from July 11th to 17th each year
- Location: Ubon Ratchathani, Northeastern Thailand
7. Nine Emperor Gods Festival – Phuket Vegetarian Festival (October)
Also celebrated in Malaysia, Myanmar, and Indonesia, this is a Taoist festival lasting nine days during the ninth lunar month. Throughout this event, participants are expected to observe ten rules, including a vegan diet without strong-smelling ingredients like onions or garlic, and refraining from indulging in vices such as drugs, alcohol, and sex.
However, Phuket distinguishes itself by incorporating “creepy” rituals into the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. These rituals encompass practices such as impaling, cutting, skinning, and bloodletting. This macabre aspect of the festival stems from a legend: it’s recounted that a Chinese opera troupe fell ill in Phuket, but after fasting and praying for nine days, they experienced a miraculous recovery, proclaiming invincibility.
The Vegetarian Festival – The most amazing festival in Phuket, Thailand
Restaurants and street vendors display yellow flags meaning they offer vegetarian food. Chinatown in Bangkok becomes particularly vibrant during this period, with street vendors serving up “mock-meat” dishes that closely mimic the appearance and flavor of real meat.
- Date: Held on the 9th month of the lunar calendar, usually between September and October. The Vegetarian Festival is scheduled to occur from the 2nd to the 11th of October 2024.
- Location: Phuket, Thailand.
8. Sat Duan Sip – Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (October)
Sat Duan Sip, another of traditional festivals in Thailand, is often mistakenly associated with the Phi Ta Khon festival in June. This celebration is deeply rooted in ancestral reverence, with people paying homage to their forebears and presenting ceremonial offerings to them.
People believe that the Sat Duan Sip is an occasion for them to connect with their ancestors
Temples buzz with activity during this period, attracting throngs of visitors. Within the temple grounds, one can partake in a range of spiritual practices and savor traditional desserts, symbolizing the gratitude and blessings extended to their ancestors.
- Date: Held at the end of the tenth lunar month. In 2024, the Sat Duan Sip Festival will last from October 14th to 23rd.
- Location: Nakhon Si Thammarat, in South Thailand.
9. Wing Khwai – Buffalo Racing Festival in Chonburi (October)
The festival has been a cherished practice for over 140 years. Legend has it that Thai farmers from the countryside descended onto Chonburi city (located in eastern Thailand) to trade their agricultural products and the event originated to settle an argument over who has the fastest buffalo in town.
Over time, this has evolved into a beloved tradition celebrated by various communities across the country. The main purpose of this event is to express gratitude to buffaloes for their hard work helping farmers throughout the year. Some locals believe that the festival has the power to bless and ward off diseases from the buffaloes in their communities.
The festival brings together people from near and far to enjoy this amazing show. The Wing Khwai race is a big deal, happening on a 135m track. The buffaloes that compete go through tough training to boost their speed, stamina, and power. They’re often dressed in bright clothes and accessories, adding to the excitement of the event.
- Date: Held at the end of the rainy season. In 2024, the Wing Khwai will take place from 20 to 28 October.
- Location: Chonburi, Thailand.
10. Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai (November)
Yi Peng is one of the most well-known festivals celebrated in the stunning northern part of Thailand, Chiang Mai. The Yi Peng lantern festival in Thailand is a special religious occasion where different kinds of lanterns are hung outside homes to honor the Buddha.
Yi Peng is one of the most worth experiencing festivals in Thailand
This includes sky lanterns, which are released to pay respects to deities in the sky. The most exciting part of the Yi Peng festival is when people release sky lanterns, hoping they’ll carry away any bad luck and bring good fortune for the future. In this festival, tourists will have the chance to admire the night sky illuminated by thousands of dazzling lanterns, resembling something straight out of a fairy tale.
- Date: In 2024, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival will take place on November 15th, which aligns with the full moon day of the 11th month in the Buddhist calendar.
- Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand.
11. Loy Krathong in Bangkok – Festival of lights (November)
Loy Krathong is one of the most magnificent and grand festivals in Thailand. The festival of lights is a time for people to express gratitude to the gods who have always been by their side, sheltering and blessing their lives.
During the festival, people release floating lanterns on rivers and set paper lanterns adrift in the night sky to pray. You also have the chance to participate in many meaningful activities such as making merit, musical performances, martial arts demonstrations.
The distinctive feature of Loy Krathong is the floating lanterns, unlike Yi Peng where lanterns are released into the sky.
- Date: Usually on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month. The Loy Krathong Festival 2024 is set to take place on the evening of November 16th.
- Location: Bangkok, Thailand.
12. Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival (November)
The Monkey Buffet Festival is a special event in Lopburi province where monkeys are treated to lots of fruits and veggies. It’s a way for the people there to say thanks to the monkeys for bringing in tourists.
At the festival, you can see lots of monkeys happily munching on tasty treats while visitors watch. It’s a lovely and kind-hearted sight for everyone involved.
Lopburi is about 150 km (94 miles) to the north of Bangkok, Thailand. Suitable for a one day trip, visitors can travel to Lopburi by train or bus. You should book first if you’re planning to visit this province during the festival period.
- Date: Usually held in November every year
- Location: Lopburi Province, Central Thailand
The monkey festival is one of the typical festivals at the end of the year in Lopburi, Thailand
The festivals in Thailand not only carry spiritual significance but also represent the beauty of the cultural life of its people. Therefore, when visiting Thailand, you definitely should participate in one of these traditional festivals to experience it at least once.
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