Thailand festivals and events 2026: dates

Festivals and events in Thailand in 2026: the dates of each one and what it means for your trip — celebrations, closures, high prices and when to book ahead.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2026

Celebration
February 2026

Three days of flower floats and parades in Chiang Mai, first weekend of February.

Chinese New Year 2026

High prices
17–18 Feb 2026

Bangkok'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.

Songkran (Thai New Year) 2026

Book ahead
April 2026

Nationwide water-fight new year (13–15 Apr). Transport and hotels fill up; many businesses close for days.

Yi Peng & Loi Krathong (Isan Rocket) 2026

Celebration
May 2026 · approximate dates

Rocket festival across Isan praying for rain before planting, boisterous in Yasothon. Usually May.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2026

Celebration
10–18 Oct 2026 (approx., may be a day off)

Nine 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.

Loy Krathong & Yi Peng 2026

Celebration
23–24 Nov 2026 (approx., may be a day off)

Festival 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.