7 Magical Thailand Festivals You Shouldn’t Miss

“Did you know Thailand has a festival where they launch homemade rockets into the sky?
Or one where thousands of lanterns float into the night?

This country doesn’t just celebrate—it enchants.
I’ve rounded up 7 magical Thai festivals to plan your trip around (with 2025/26 dates!)…”

Thailand Festivals 2025/26 – The Most Magical Celebrations

Planning your trip around Thailand festivals 2025/26 is a brilliant way to experience the country’s culture at its most vibrant. From joyful water fights to lantern-filled skies, every celebration reveals the beauty and spirit of Thai life.

Songkran and the Thai New Year

Each April, Songkran welcomes the Thai New Year with nationwide water fights and temple blessings. It’s playful, spiritual, and unforgettable. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket are among the best places to join the celebrations, mixing fun with meaningful tradition.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng

In November, two of the most enchanting Thailand festivals 2025/26 take place in the north. Loy Krathong fills lakes and rivers with floating candles, while Yi Peng lights up the sky with thousands of lanterns. Chiang Mai’s celebrations are especially beautiful and deeply spiritual.

Unique Cultural Experiences

Thailand’s calendar is full of colourful local traditions. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket blends devotion with dramatic rituals. The Boon Bang Fai Rocket Festival launches homemade rockets to call for rain, and Ubon Ratchathani’s Candle Festival displays incredible wax sculptures. Loei’s Phi Ta Khon adds dancing ghosts and joyful parades to the mix.

Chinese New Year in Thailand

Bangkok’s Chinatown glows red with lanterns and lion dancers as families welcome luck and prosperity. Visiting during Chinese New Year lets you see the country at its most festive.

Read the full Thailand travel guide on Nomadmum: