Must-Visit Famous Festivals in Thailand

Thailand, the Land of Golden Temples, is not only famous for its gold-plated temples and stunning beaches but also boasts a diverse and unique cultural identity with many vibrant festivals. These colorful festivals have attracted countless travelers from around the world to experience Thailand. Below are some famous festivals in Thailand that you shouldn't miss.

1. Why does Thailand have famous festivals?

Similar to some other countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand also hosts many large festivals annually. The reason Thailand has such prominent festivals is rooted in its diverse cultural heritage with unique customs and traditions. Additionally, the Thai government aims to make the Land of Golden Temples a festival hub in Southeast Asia. This not only promotes tourism but also preserves and promotes the rich cultural values of the country.

Moreover, Thailand is considered a cultural gateway and economic exchange hub with many countries in the Mekong region such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and others. Additionally, Thai culture harmoniously blends with that of neighboring ethnic groups. These factors have shaped Thailand into a culturally diverse yet uniquely distinct nation. The famous festivals serve as clear evidence of Thailand's remarkable cultural heritage.

2. Top 10 Most Famous Festivals in Thailand

Famous festivals in Thailand are held annually, allowing travelers to easily experience the colorful festivals in Thailand during special occasions. So, what are the famous festivals in Thailand? When do they take place? Let's explore these famous festivals with Mytour! If you're lucky enough to visit during a festival, you might have some fascinating and enjoyable experiences.

2.1 Water-Splashing Festival (Songkran)

Just hearing the name Songkran is enough to indicate the level of fame of this festival. Songkran is not just an ordinary festival; it is a New Year celebration deeply rooted in Thai culture. Unlike other East Asian countries, Thai people celebrate their New Year in mid-April. This is an important occasion for the people of the Land of Smiles to strengthen family and community bonds and express gratitude to their ancestors.

The Songkran Water-Splashing Festival is also known as the official New Year's Day of the Thai people (Image source: Collection)

The highlight of the Songkran festival is the water splashing, symbolizing joy and respect by pouring water on each other or onto Buddha statues as a sign of reverence. Additionally, local people participate in traditional folk performances and unique traditional games during the festival. If you have the chance to travel to Thailand in April, don't miss the opportunity to experience the water splashing! It promises to be an exciting experience unique to Thailand.

• Festival duration: Usually held on April 13th, 14th, and 15th every year

• Location: Takes place across Thailand

2.2 Yipeng Sky Lantern Festival

If you've ever watched the animated movie 'Tangled,' you'll surely be amazed by the dazzling scene of thousands of lanterns glowing simultaneously. And that radiant sight comes to life at the Yipeng Lantern Festival. It's no exaggeration to say that the Yipeng festival is one of Thailand's famous festivals attracting millions of tourists to the Land of Smiles every October.

Throughout the festival day, Thai people come together to create sparkling lanterns. They then release sky lanterns into the night sky. According to Thai culture, releasing sky lanterns symbolizes welcoming blessings and dispelling misfortunes. Additionally, Thai people hang lanterns in front of their houses to express reverence to the Buddha.

The Yipeng Sky Lantern Festival is one of Thailand's famous festivals attracting millions of tourists to Chiang Mai to experience it (Image source: Collection)

Chiang Mai, the 'sacred land,' hosts the Yipeng festival annually. This is where the sky lantern festival takes place on a grand scale, the largest in the country. Every October, most international visitors flock to Chiang Mai to experience this exciting activity.

During the festival, participants can either make their own lanterns or buy them directly from shops in Chiang Mai. They then light candles and release the lanterns into the night sky. At this moment, thousands of sky lanterns create a sparkling starry sky, leaving everyone in awe. Thai people believe that when the lanterns soar high, they carry wishes and hopes to heaven.

• Festival Timing: Every October

• Location: Chiang Mai

2.3

Pee Ta Khon Ghost Festival

Pee Ta Khon Ghost Festival is one of the renowned Thai festivals imbued with spiritual significance in Northeastern Thailand. It's a time for Thai people to express sincere gratitude to the spirits who have always protected them from harm and safeguarded their lives.

Similar to Halloween, Thailand's ghost festival also features costume parades with eerie figures. During the festival, people take to the streets without revealing their true faces. Everyone conceals themselves with demon masks and wears vivid costumes with a touch of the supernatural, creating a chilling atmosphere that instills fear in everyone.

If you visit Thailand during this time, you'll easily encounter processions of 'ghosts' marching joyfully through towns. Tourists can freely take photos and check-in to capture memories of this culturally rich experience. It promises to be a unique experience you won't find anywhere else.

• Festival Timing: Annually held at the end of June

• Location: Loei Province, Northeastern Thailand

2.4 Phuket Vegetarian Festival

If you think the ghost festival is the scariest festival in Thailand, then the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket will give you a different perspective. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is one of the renowned Thai festivals known for its terrifying customs and rituals. Particularly unsettling is the practice of 'piercing rituals' involving sharp objects inserted through the mouth, body, and face. During the festival, people gather to parade through the streets to express gratitude to deities and seek blessings.

Participants in the festival pierce sharp objects into their flesh, creating a chilling sight (Source: Compiled)

For devout followers, adhering to the principles of abstaining from meat and alcohol throughout the festival is essential. The gruesome Vegetarian Festival in Phuket may terrify some tourists, but many curious travelers are willing to visit Phuket to witness the festival and experience these bizarre activities.

• Occurs on: Held annually on October 1st

• Location: Phuket, Thailand

2.5 Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Chiang Mai is known as the 'City of Flowers' in Thailand. Every spring, Chiang Mai comes alive with various flowers showcasing their vibrant colors.

At the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, visitors have the opportunity to admire a wide variety of flowers emitting intoxicating fragrances. Among them, the most famous are golden chrysanthemums, roses, orchids, and cosmos flowers. However, the highlight of the festival is the flower parade through the streets and the flower floats procession. Moreover, visitors can explore and purchase unique handicrafts and local products.

• Occurs on: Held for 3 days on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of February every year.

• Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

2.6 Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival is one of Thailand's famous festivals known for its extravagant scale in major cities in northeastern Thailand. Here, visitors can admire wax sculptures created by 10 competing teams from various countries.

Wax sculptures are showcased on parade floats (Source: Collection)

Besides, the street parades combined with grand music performances and traditional folk dances are held magnificently. This is considered a sacred Buddhist festival for Buddhists from all over the country. During the event, Buddhist devotees will donate offerings to the monks to pray for peace and good fortune.

• Occurs on: Takes place from July 11th to 17th

• Location: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

2.7 Exquisite Fruit Festival

Thailand is a rare country blessed with abundant fragrant flowers and sweet fruits by nature. Therefore, fruits are always an indispensable part of Thai culinary culture and spiritual life. And the fruit festival is an important occasion for farmers to pray for a fruitful harvest, favorable weather, and peaceful winds.

Moreover, this festival also honors the contributions of gardeners who produce delicious fruits such as mangoes, jackfruits, durians, guavas, and pomelos. Visitors to the fruit festival can also participate in various exciting activities such as fruit buffets, cooking contests, fruit sculpting, and more.

• Occurs on: Held annually in June and July

• Location: Rayong Province, Thailand

2.8 Buffalo Racing Festival

The Buffalo Racing Festival is one of the oldest and most famous festivals in Thailand, with over 140 years of history. This is an occasion for sturdy buffaloes to compete, aiming for a bountiful harvest to ensure a prosperous life for the people. When participating in the races, people must prepare costumes, equipment, and lead their buffaloes to overcome obstacles to reach the finish line. The thrilling buffalo races attract many spectators. In fact, the excitement of the races rivals that of horse racing events.

Buffalo races have the power to captivate any viewer (Source: Collection)

• Occurs on: Held annually in October

• Location: Chonburi Province, Thailand

2.9 Chinese New Year in Chinatown

Although Chinese New Year is not the official New Year of Thailand, the people of the Land of Smiles warmly embrace it. Statistics show that Thai-Chinese people (originating from China) make up to 14% of the country's population. Therefore, Chinese New Year in Chinatown is celebrated grandly and ceremoniously every year. Especially in the Chinatown districts of Bangkok and Phuket Island - where the largest Thai-Chinese communities reside in Thailand.

Chinese New Year in Chinatown evokes the atmosphere of Chinese New Year in China (Source: Collection)

As a result, Chinese New Year in Thailand often exudes the rich cultural essence of China, from customs and traditional cuisine to spectacular performances. Among the prominent activities of Thai Chinese New Year throughout the festive season are parades, lion dances, firecrackers, and more. If you visit Chinatown around the Lunar New Year, you might feel like you've wandered into a mini China, with its lively, bustling, and festive atmosphere.

• Occurs on: The 1st day of the Lunar New Year annually

• Location: Yaowarat, Chinatown, Bangkok, Thailand

2.10 Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival

One of the renowned festivals in Thailand is the Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival. This festival is organized annually by the people of Laos and the people of Thailand in Northeast Thailand with the aim of praying for rain, abundant life, and prosperity.

The highlight of the rocket festival is the rocket launching competition held on the third day of the festival. These rockets are made of bamboo, PVC plastic, steel pipes, and gunpowder. Participants are challenged with these rockets to win the competition. Apart from the rocket launching event, the festival also includes various other exciting activities such as music performances, boat racing, and market stalls.

• Festival period: Annually held in May (before the rainy season)

• Location: Yasothon Town, Thailand

Here is all the detailed information about the most famous festivals in Thailand today. Hopefully, with the information shared by Mytour, you will gather more useful information for your upcoming trip to Thailand! Contact the hotline Mytour for more detailed information about Mytour's affordable Thailand tours.