Thailand Travel Calendar: Thai Festivals and Events Month by Month

Thailand is a year-round destination, but each month offers unique festivals and cultural experiences. Wondering where to travel in Thailand this month? This Thailand travel calendar highlights important Thai festivals by month to help you plan your trip.

Table contents

• January

• February

• March

• April

• May

• June

• July

• August

• September

• October

• November

• December

January – Bo Sang Umbrella Festival (Travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand)

A colorful celebration of northern Thai craftsmanship, featuring hand-painted umbrellas, local art, and traditional Lanna culture in a relaxed winter atmosphere.

February – Chinese New Year (Nationwide)

Lively celebrations fill the streets with red lanterns, lion and dragon dances, and festive food especially in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Phuket, and Nakhon Sawan.

March – Bun Phawet Festival

An important merit-making festival in Isan, where people listen to the story of the Vessantara Jataka, join the Phawet cloth procession, and take part in the ritual offering of ข้าวพันก้อน (khâao pan gâwn) bundled sticky rice. The festival is especially popular in Roi Et.

April – Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)

Thailand’s most famous festival. Songkran is known for water splashing, paying respect to elders, temple visits, and traditional merit-making to welcome the Thai New Year.

May – Bun Bang Fai Festival

A lively northeastern festival held to ask for rain from Phaya Thaen, the rain god. Locals parade and launch handmade rockets high into the sky.

June – Phi Ta Khon Festival (Travel to Loei, Thailand)

A lively and colorful folk festival known for ghost masks, parades, and traditional music. Held in Dan Sai district, Loei, it is one of Thailand’s most unique cultural celebrations.

July – Candle Festival

A spectacular Buddhist festival marking the beginning of Buddhist Lent, featuring beautifully carved candle sculptures displayed in grand parades.

August – Mother’s Day in Thailand

August is part of Thailand’s rainy season, with fewer festivals compared to other months. One key event is Mother’s Day on August 12, when flower exhibitions and decorative displays are often held, offering visitors a chance to enjoy beautiful floral.

September – Vegetarian Festival

A sacred festival observed by Thai-Chinese communities, where people follow a vegetarian diet for spiritual cleansing. The festival is known for yellow flags and ritual ceremonies, especially in Phuket, Trang, Krabi, and Bangkok’s Yaowarat.

October – Lai Ruea Fai (Illuminated Boat Festival)

Held in October, this Isan festival features beautifully illuminated boats decorated with hundreds of lights floating along the Mekong River, creating a magical riverside atmosphere in Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, and Sakon Nakhon.

November – Loy Krathong & Yi Peng Festivals (Nationwide)

One of Thailand’s most beautiful festivals, where people float krathongs made from natural materials, while Yi Peng is celebrated mainly in northern Thailand with the release of lanterns into the night sky to pay respect to the Goddess of Water.

December – New Year Celebrations (Nationwide)

A festive month filled with countdown events, fireworks, and celebrations to welcome the New Year across Thailand.

If you’d like more details about traveling in Thailand, such as events, festivals, and destination guides, you can explore the official website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

It’s a great resource for planning your trip in Thailand.

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