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.
15 of the most colourful festivals in Thailand
January
- New Year’s Day (public holiday): 1 January
- Children’s Day: 13 January 2024
- Teachers’ Day: 20 January 2024
- Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankhampaeng Handicrafts Festival, Chiang Mai: 19-21 January 2024 (to be confirmed)
February
- Chiang Mai Flower Festival: 2-4 February 2024
- Chinese Lunar New Year: 10 February 2024
- Trang Underwater Wedding: usually held mid-February to include Valentine’s Day
- Makha Bucha Day (public holiday): 24 February 2024
March
- National Thai Elephant Day: 13 March
- National Muay Thai Day: 17 March
April
- Poy Sang Long Festival: held at various locations around north Thailand, particularly in Mae Hong Son (late March/early April).
- Chakri Memorial Day (public holiday): 6 April
- Songkran Thai New Year Water Festival (public holiday): 13-15 April
May
- Labour Day (public holiday): 1 May
- Coronation Day (public holiday): 4 May
- Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok: 10 May 2024
- Visakha Bucha Day (public holiday): 22 May 2024
- Rocket Festivals, Isaan: date varies, usually held mid/late May.
June
- Birthday of HM Queen Suthida (public holiday): 3 June
- Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival, Loei: date for 2024 to be confirmed
July
- Asahna Bucha Day (public holiday): 20 July 2024
- Khao Phansa: 21 July 2024
- Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival: 19-21 July 2024
- Birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) (public holiday): 28 July
- Phuket Yachting Race Week
- Pai Jazz & Blues Festival
August
- HM Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s Birthday (public holiday): 12 August. Also celebrated as Mother’s Day.
- Por Tor (Hungry Ghost Festival), Phuket: dates for 2024 to be confirmed
September
- Thai National Flag Day: 28 September
October
- HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day (public holiday): 13 October
- Awk Phansa 17 October 2024
- Vegetarian Festival: Phuket Vegetarian Festival dates for 2024 to be confirmed
- Chulalongkorn Day (public holiday): 23 October
November
- Pattaya International Fireworks Festival: dates for 2024 to be confirmed
- Loy Krathong: dates for 2024 to be confirmed
- Yi Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai: dates for 2024 to be confirmed
December
- King Bhumibol Birthday Commemoration Day (public holiday): 5 December. Also celebrated as Father’s Day and National Day.
- River Kwai Bridge Festival and Red Cross Fair, Kanchanaburi: 8-17 December 2023
- Constitution Day (public holiday): 10 December
- New Year’s Eve (public holiday): 31 December
