Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali 2026: seven free celebrations

What Diwali is, and why Thailand is lighting up

• The festival: Diwali (Deepavali) marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Families light oil lamps called diyas, gather, pray and exchange gifts.
• Diwali Day 2026: Saturday 8 November 2026, per TAT.
• The Thailand programme: Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2026 runs 3 to 29 November 2026 with seven celebrations in Bangkok, Pattaya (Chon Buri) and Phuket.
• Who backs it: Organised by the Indian Association of Thailand (IAT) and the Thai-India Trade and Tourism Association (TITTA), in collaboration with TAT, the Embassy of India in Bangkok and partners. TAT calls this its fifth consecutive year of support.
• What to expect: five signature diya-lighting ceremonies, Thai-Indian cultural performances, Bollywood music, festive markets and food. Admission to all seven celebrations is free.

The seven celebrations (TAT schedule)

• The First Light at Central Bangrak, Bangkok: Monday 3 November, diya ceremony 17:00 to 18:00, then live Bollywood music; activities continue through 4 November.
• Lotus by the River at ICONSIAM Riverpark, Bangkok: 6 to 8 November. On Diwali Day 8 November, diya lighting 17:00 to 18:00 and riverside fireworks at 18:00.
• Nine Nights of Candlelight at Central Festival Pattaya Beach: 7 to 15 November, including Diwali Day activities on 8 November.
• A Sunday of Flavour at Central Patong, Phuket: 8 November, Indian food festival and festive activities (TAT did not print a clock time for this day).
• Lamps Along the Shore on Pattaya Beach Road: 13 to 15 November, with a beachfront diya ceremony on 13 November from 18:00 to 19:00.
• Threads of Faith in Phahurat (Little India), Bangkok: 20 to 24 November, building on Diwali events along Khlong Ong Ang since 2022. On 24 November, diya lighting 17:00 to 18:00 joins Dev Deepavali, Loi Krathong and Gurpurab on the same full-moon night.
• Music on the Avenue at Quartier Avenue, EMQUARTIER, Bangkok: 26 to 29 November. Final diya ceremony on 29 November from 17:00 to 18:00.

How to plan a night (or three)

• Free entry: TAT confirms admission is free at all seven venues. Participating malls may run seasonal promotions; those are separate from the ceremony tickets (there are none).
• Best Diwali Day pick in Bangkok: ICONSIAM’s Lotus by the River on 8 November if you want the printed fireworks time (18:00). Arrive before the 17:00 diya window for a riverside spot.
• Pattaya stretch: Candlelight nights at Central Festival Pattaya Beach (7 to 15 November) pair with the Beach Road lamps (13 to 15 November).
• Phahurat deep dive: Save 20 to 24 November for Little India markets and the 24 November triple-festival night.
• Check before you go: TAT Contact Centre 1672. Re-check the venue board the day you visit if a stage time shifts.

Pair it with November’s other river nights

• 6 November: the Royal Barge Procession sails the Chao Phraya. ICONSIAM’s Diwali window (6 to 8 November) sits right beside it, so river-area stays cover both.
• 13 November to 13 December: Vijit Chao Phraya lights 13 riverside sites after Diwali Day, so late-November Bangkok can stack lamps, barges and projection mapping.
• 24 November: Loy Krathong falls on the same full moon as Phahurat’s Threads of Faith diya. Expect floating krathongs plus Little India lights on one night.
• Stay tip: base near the river (ICONSIAM / Charoen Nakhon), Bangrak or Phahurat so you can walk or hop a short boat between ceremonies. Use the stay box on this page for Bangkok options; we are not naming individual hotels here.