The fabric of everyday life in Thailand is woven with colour, tradition and celebration. Visit the Land of Smiles in any season, and there’s sure to be a festival, street parade or cultural event to draw you in.
Follow the scent of incense to see ancient temple rituals still lovingly practised by old and young alike — and for every poignant moment and heartfelt prayer in Thailand, there’s a lively parade or bustling street food market just streets (or steps) away.
For children, Thai festivals are an immersive whirlwind of colours, sounds, smells and flavours, creating treasured memories that linger long after their paper lanterns drift off into the sky. Some are celebrated all across the country — like Loy Krathong or Songkran, the Thai New Year. Others reflect the signature culture of a city or region, creating a unique travel experience that’s well worth the trip.
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1. Chiang Rai Flower & Art Festival
When: Late December to early January
Where: Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand
The enchanting ASEAN Flower Festival is held annually in the heart of Chiang Rai, one of the largest cities in northern Thailand. Visitors to the free event can explore a sprawling fantasy garden showcasing art installations and cultural displays from across Southeast Asia, with native regional flowers and international winter florals like tulips, orchids and lilies blooming throughout. Highlights include live music on Saturdays and after-dark light-and-sound shows.
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2. Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta
When: Early January
Where: Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand
As the Flower Festival wraps up, the four-day Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta begins. Colourful balloons of all shapes and sizes dot the sky as pilots from around the world compete in daily competitions—from Thai-inspired designs to cartoon characters. Over 30 balloons from 13 countries soared over farmland and flower fields during this year’s event, culminating in the breathtaking Balloon Magic Night Glow and fireworks show.
3. Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
When: Third Friday in January
Where: Bo Sang, near Chiang Mai
Held in the charming craft village of Bo Sang, the stars of this event are the region’s iconic paper umbrellas — they’re everywhere in the San Kampaeng district, in all shapes and sizes: large enough to shade your patio and tiny enough to decorate a fruity drink.
Browsing the market stalls, kids can pick out the perfect size to hold, spin and twirl in tandem with the colourful street parades and pageants. Be sure to tour the umbrella factory and watch the masters at work, painting beautiful floral designs onto each piece with such confidence and skill, it seems effortless.
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4. Chinese New Year
When: January to February
Where: Nationwide
Chinese New Year in Thailand is a busy affair: bustling street markets serve up snacks and souvenirs to the cheerful masses as lion and dragon dancers groove and firecrackers pop. The festive spirit is undoubtably contagious for all ages, and everything has a story—the brilliant red banners and glowing paper lanterns carry a collective wish for luck and prosperity in the New Year.
Around 14% of Thailand’s population are of Chinese descent, and many more embrace the harmonious cultural fruits of this Thai-Chinese holiday. Hotels, shopping centres and even small vendors offer discounts and promotions, decked out in textures of red and gold.
The date varies each year according to the Lunar Calendar and celebrations take place across Thailand, with a few stand-outs:
Bangkok
The biggest and brightest Lunar New Year celebrations take place take place in Yaowarat, Bangkok — the world’s largest Chinatown district. Roads are closed and people flood the streets to see the parades, performances and fireworks displays. Yaowarat is street food heaven year-round and the festive markets are flush with dim sum, duck and nian gao (sweet rice cakes). For a moment of reflection, head to Charoen Krung Street and pay your respects at Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha).
Nakhon Sawan
Around 250 km north of Bangkok, the “Heavenly City” hosts twelve days and nights of Lunar New Year celebration, including Thailand’s most unforgettable dragon dance. The Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year Festival includes vibrant day and night parades, free Chinese opera performances and a bustling marketplace featuring over a hundred food stalls.
Phuket
Lunar New Year in Phuket coincides with the Phuket Old Town Festival, where walking streets like Thalang, Krabi, and Dibuk become an immersive journey into the island’s history through traditional music, dance and local delicacies. It also aligns with Wat Chalong Fair — hosted at the Buddhist temple for over a century (and counting). Families can enjoy traditional Thai games, music and puppet shows here under the familiar neon glow of carnival rides.
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5. Chiang Mai Flower Festival
When: First weekend of February
Where: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Held annually to celebrate the end of the cooler months, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival is a dazzling celebration of spring, showcasing the region’s stunning blooms on floats covered in intricate floral art. The main event centres on Buak Hat Park and its endless array of colourful flower arrangements; it’s here that the famous flower parade floats are parked for all to admire after the procession.
Tip: The city also hosts the Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival from December to January — it’s lesser-known to tourists but very popular with locals.
6. Songkran — Thai New Year & Water Festival
When: 13–15 April (with extended regional festivities)
Where: Nationwide
If there’s one Thai festival families shouldn’t miss, it’s Songkran, the famous water festival that marks the Thai New Year. Held mid-April, this nationwide event turns entire towns into thrilling water battlegrounds. Armed with water guns, locals and tourists alike gleefully soak each other in playful celebration.
For visiting kids, the water-based warfare is an anarchic dream come true — but for Thai families, Songkran is also an important time for family reunions and religious rituals, as the water symbolises cleansing, reverence and washing away bad fortune.
In 2023, the festival was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, recognising traditions such as ‘bathing the Buddha’ and decorating sand pagodas with colourful flags.
7. Bung Ban Fai Rocket Festival
When: Date varies, usually held mid/late May
Where: Yasothon, Isaan region
Celebrating the imminent arrival of the rainy season, the Bung Ban Fai Rocket Festival features homemade rockets launched into the sky in hopes of bringing abundant rainfall for the rice-growing season. The community spirit is tangible in the colourful parades featuring elaborate costumes and traditional Isaan music.
8. Por Tor — Hungry Ghost Festival
When: Typically August to September
Where: Phuket
During the seventh month of the lunar calendar, hungry ghosts return to the realm of the living, according to Chinese tradition—but never fear, the local Hokkien Chinese community in Phuket lays out a delicious feast to satiate the ancestors. The month-long Por Tor Festival centres on Seng Tek Bel Shrine on Phuket Road and Ranong Road market, where vendors sell turtle cakes, food and ceremonial items.
Unique red turtle-shaped cakes known as ‘ang ku’ are typical offerings along with fruit, flowers, incense, roasted duck and ‘hell money’ — faux paper currency burned to provide for ancestors in the afterlife. Parades feature Chinese-style opera performances, lion dances and offering ceremonies where children in traditional costume bring tributes to the shrines.
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9. Loy Krathong — Festival of Lights
When: Typically November
Where: Nationwide (with larger celebrations in Chiang Mai and Bangkok)
Prepare to be mesmerised by the beauty of Loy Krathong, known as the Festival of Lights. Families gather by rivers, lakes, or ponds to release intricately decorated baskets (‘krathongs’) onto the water. These baskets, adorned with candles and flowers, represent letting go of negativity and welcoming good fortune—the word ‘loy’ means ‘to float’.
Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand and usually takes place in November, though the datre varies based on the lunar calendar. Many Thai resorts host Loy Krathong events for guests, including the chance to make your own traditional krathongs or purchase them from stalls. Cultural performances and fireworks at larger celebrations elevate the experience:
Bangkok
In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is the centre of activities on Loy Krathong night. One of the biggest organised events takes place at Asiatique The Riverfront with firework displays and activities designed especially for families. Less busy alternatives include the lakes at Lumphini Park and Benjasiri Park.
Sukhothai
Sukhothai is the ancient Thai capital and the spiritual home of Loy Krathong — so it’s no surprise that the celebrations at Sukhothai Historical Park are one-of-a-kind. Fireworks and light shows illuminate the temple ruins and statues in a ten-day cultural extravaganza.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand to celebrate Loy Krathong. Launching the vessels on the Ping River is one drawcard, but it’s Northern Thailand’s coinciding lantern festival that brings so many families to the region.
10. Yi Peng Lantern Festival
When: Typically November
Where: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Picture holding hands with your nearest and dearest under a night sky filled with thousands of glowing lanterns. That’s Yi Peng in a nutshell, and it’s one of the most magical experiences Thailand has to offer.
In a tradition stretching back centuries to the old Lanna Kingdom, guests are invited to release lanterns (known as ‘khom loy’) into the sky, carrying their wishes and dreams skyward as they soar. Once a separate festival, Yi Peng has since been incorporated into Loy Krathong in Northern Thailand, and temples, stores and homes are decorated with colourful lanterns during the festive period.
11. Christmas Star Parade
When: 23–24 December
Where: Sakon Nakhon
Celebrate the season in Sakon Nakhon, where Thailand’s largest Roman Catholic population lives. Wander through the village of Tha Rae and you’ll even see houses decorated Christmas lights. Dressed in festive costume (including more than a few Santas), Tha Rae locals toss sweets to children along the annual Star Parade route to St Michael’s Cathedral. The floats are impossible to miss — there are over 200 of them, each topped with enormous flashing light displays and nativity scenes embellished in maximalist Thai style.
Need to know: Thailand's three unique seasons
March to May are the hottest months; the mercury can reach 40°C in the north-east and Bangkok. Songkran, the water festival for Thai New Year, coincides with peak temperatures in April.
June to October is the wet, humid season and the cheapest time to visit. Expect regular morning and afternoon showers. The rural tradition of setting off rockets in May is said to usher in abundant rainfall.
November to February is the ‘cool’ season with temperatures around 20–27°C. It’s the most popular period for tourists and also features the most outdoor festivals.
Opening image: Colorful hot air balloon and firework night at Singha Park Balloon Fiesta in Chiang Rai, Thailand. © APChanel/Shutterstock
