Thailand festivals: Songkran, Loy Krathong, and Yi Peng
Thai festival travel is known for Songkran in mid-April, Loy Krathong on the November full moon, and Phuket's Vegetarian Festival in the ninth lunar month. Pack a dry bag if April is the plan.
Songkran is Thai New Year, 13 to 15 April nationwide. The water fights concentrate on Silom and Khao San in Bangkok, the Chiang Mai moat, Patong, and Chaweng. A waterproof phone pouch and a dry bag are the logistics, not optional kit. Hotels book out. Public-holiday notes sit on [Songkran and holidays](/plan/songkran-and-public-holidays).
Loy Krathong falls on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, usually November. In Chiang Mai it overlaps Yi Peng. Free krathong floats go on the Ping at Nawarat Bridge. Ticketed CAD mass sky-lantern releases sit outside the airport flight path; 2026 field tickets often run 1,500 to 3,500 THB. Buy a named field, not a soi tout. Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Nine Emperor Gods) runs in the ninth lunar month, September or October, around Jui Tui Shrine and the Old Town processions.
Water, lanterns, and the Nine Emperor Gods
Songkran is a three-day water grid. Loy Krathong is one night of floats. Yi Peng is the lantern add-on in Chiang Mai. The Vegetarian Festival is a Phuket shrine week, not a beach party. Book the city that owns the festival you came for.
| Festival | When | Where and kit |
|---|---|---|
| Songkran | 13 to 15 April | Silom, Khao San, Chiang Mai moat, Patong, Chaweng; dry bag |
| Loy Krathong | 12th lunar full moon (usually Nov) | Free Ping floats at Nawarat Bridge |
| Yi Peng | Same November window in Chiang Mai | CAD fields 1,500 to 3,500 THB, off the flight path |
| Vegetarian Festival | Ninth lunar month, Sep or Oct | Jui Tui Shrine and Phuket Old Town |
Keep going
Book
Chiang Mai festival staysNovember lanternsSleep Old City if Nawarat Bridge is the free float. Book early for Yi Peng week.
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Bangkok Songkran staysMid-April waterSleep Silom or the Old City if 13 to 15 April is the reason you came.
Search stays- Festival ticketsTickets
Buy a named Yi Peng field. Street lantern sellers near the airport path get you moved on.
See tickets
Common questions
- Which days is Songkran?
- 13 to 15 April nationwide. Silom and Khao San in Bangkok, the Chiang Mai moat, Patong, and Chaweng are the dense water streets. Carry a dry bag.
- Are Yi Peng lanterns free?
- Ping River krathong floats at Nawarat Bridge are free. Mass sky-lantern releases are ticketed fields away from the airport flight path.
- When is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival?
- The ninth lunar month, September or October depending on the year. Jui Tui Shrine is the usual processional centre.