There are many colourful festivals taking place around Thailand throughout the year. Some of these events, such as the Songkran New Year Water Festival, are celebrated nationwide and the dates are fixed in advance. However, for a number of Thai festivals and Buddhist holidays, the exact date varies each year depending on the lunar calendar. These dates aren’t always confirmed until much nearer the time, but we will add updates once known. And for any of you who are missing Thailand, we will also highlight dates of special Thai-themed events taking place around the UK and Ireland. Check out our news and events page for more details.
January
- New Year’s Day (public holiday): January 1.
- Children’s Day: second Saturday in January.
- Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankhampaeng Handicrafts Festival, Chiang Mai: usually held on the third weekend in January.
- Chinese Lunar New Year: date usually falls in January/February. Celebrated in many areas of Thailand.
February
- Chiang Mai Flower Festival: usually held on the first weekend in February.
- Makha Bucha Day (public holiday): date varies, usually falls in February or March.
- Trang Underwater Wedding: usually held mid-February to include Valentine’s Day.
- Phuket International Blues Rock Festival: mid/late February.
March
- National Thai Elephant Day: March 13.
- National Muay Thai Day: March 17.
- Pattaya International Music Festival: usually held mid-March.
April
- Poy Sang Long Festival: held at various locations around north Thailand, particularly in Mae Hong Son (late March/early April).
- Chakri Day (public holiday): April 6.
- Songkran Thai New Year Water Festival (public holiday): April 13-15.
May
- Labour Day (public holiday): May 1.
- Visakha Bucha Day (public holiday): date varies, usually falls in May.
- Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok: date varies, usually held in May.
- Rocket Festivals, Isaan: date varies, usually held mid/late May.
June
- Birthday of HM Queen Suthida (public holiday): June 3.
- Pattaya International Fireworks Festival: date varies, usually held in June (but in 2019 was rescheduled to November).
- Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival, Loei: date varies, usually held in June
July
- Asahna Bucha Day (public holiday): date varies, usually falls in July
- Khao Phansa: date varies, usually falls in July
- Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival: date varies, usually held in July
- Birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) (public holiday): July 28.
- Phuket Yachting Race Week: date for 2020 to be confirmed.
- Pai Jazz & Blues Festival: date for 2020 to be confirmed.
Read more about events in June & July 2020
August
- Queen Sirikit’s Birthday (public holiday): August 12. Also celebrated as Mother’s Day.
- Por Tor (Hungry Ghost Festival), Phuket: August 19-September 16,2020.
September
- Thai National Flag Day: September 28.
October
- Awk Phansa: October 1, 2020.
- HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day (public holiday): October 13.
- Chulalongkorn Day (public holiday): October 23.
- Vegetarian Festival: date for 2020 to be confirmed.
- Loy Krathong: October 31, 2020.
- Yi Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai: Dates for 2020 to be confirmed. Probable dates October 30-November 1.
November
- Loy Krathong: usually held in November. In 2020, the date falls on October 31 (see details above).
- River Kwai Bridge Festival and Red Cross Fair, Kanchanaburi: Dates for 2020 to be confirmed.
December
- King Bhumibol Birthday Commemoration Day (public holiday): December 5. Also celebrated as Father’s Day and National Day.
- Constitution Day (public holiday): December 10.
- New Year’s Eve (public holiday): December 31.
