Festivals & events
Festivals and events that shape a trip — celebrations, closures, peak prices and when to book ahead.
Chinese New Year
High pricesBangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown and Phuket light up; expect crowds and higher prices. Lunar dates, late Jan–Feb.
First day of the Chinese lunar year: the second new moon after the winter solstice, always between 21 January and 20 February.
Next date: 6–7 Feb 2027
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
CelebrationThree days of flower floats and parades in Chiang Mai, first weekend of February.
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Book aheadNationwide water-fight new year (13–15 Apr). Transport and hotels fill up; many businesses close for days.
Yi Peng & Loi Krathong (Isan Rocket)
CelebrationRocket festival across Isan praying for rain before planting, boisterous in Yasothon. Usually May.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
CelebrationNine days of Taoist rites and street processions in Phuket. Lunar dates, usually late September–October.
The first nine days of the 9th Chinese lunar month, which begins with the new moon of late September or October.
Next date: 30 Sep – 8 Oct 2027
(approx., may be a day off)
Loy Krathong & Yi Peng
CelebrationFestival of floating lights and sky lanterns, spectacular in Chiang Mai. Dates follow the lunar calendar.
Full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, between late October and late November. Yi Peng in Chiang Mai is that night and the one before.
Next date: 23–24 Nov 2026
(approx., may be a day off)
