With its beautiful landscape and culture, it’s easy to see why Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in the world. Yet not to be overlooked are the parties, festivals and concerts around Thailand. Every year, these events generate plenty of interest and momentum both within the country and abroad, ensuring that Thailand’s remarkably festive atmosphere won’t slow down anytime soon.

Festivals

Songkran

If you’re visiting the Land of Smiles in April, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, is officially celebrated from the 13th till the 15th of April, but in practice the holiday festivities tend to keep going for up to a week.

For Thai people, Songkran is the perfect time for families and friends to get together, paying respect and gratitude to their elders while also visiting temples to make merit. For visitors, however, the Songkran festival in Thailand is known for different reasons entirely. During one of the hottest weeks of the year, the streets are filled with massive water fights all around the country. Many people, especially among the younger generations, carry water guns or buckets in order to soak others with water. As a way to cool off, have fun, and undergo a kind of freewheeling baptism into Thai culture, Songkran is an essential experience.

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong, known locally as the festival of light, is usually celebrated in November. This festival in Thailand is best witnessed alongside one of the country’s many rivers, as Thai people come to offer blessings to the water goddess at the end of the rainy season.

If you arrive in the early evening, you’ll witness thousands of Thai people putting the finishing touches on their small decorated baskets, and pushing them out over the water. These floating baskets are typically made from banana leaves, and are just big enough to hold a few flowers, coins, joss sticks, and a lit candle. Each individual basket is a thing of beauty, and the spectacle of thousands of lit candles making their way down the river is not to be missed.

Music Festivals/Parties

Wonderfruit delivers plenty of live performances by local and international artists, along with other kinds of entertainment. The event includes hip-hop, EDM, house music and a special food area. This concert in Thailand appeals to people with independent tastes, and maintains a zero-waste policy.

Maya Music Festival combines Thai culture with modern music for the new generation. This year’s festival is in Pattaya, from 31st January to the 1st of February 2020. The giant mask onstage, designed in the Thai tradition, sets the tone for this quirky musical line-up. Artists with huge local appeal, like Suede, Kodaline, and Alan Walker, are among the headline acts.

The legendary Full Moon Party on the island of Koh Phangan is one of Thailand’s most popular events. Held every month, full moon parties are wildly popular with foreigners who visit Thailand just to let loose and have a great time. The tropical island vibes are special indeed, and feature different types of music along with international DJs.

Big Mountain Music Festival is considered to be Southeast Asia’s biggest outdoor event. It has over nine stages, with over 200 performers from the worlds of Thai music, rock music and EDM. Most of the line-up features Thai artists, and the surrounding mountain view is an added attraction for all the music-lovers who attend this concert in Thailand.

The Hua Hin International Jazz Festival is a two-day event held on the beachfront of Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas. With world-class performances from international and Thai musicians, this festival is a must-see for jazz lovers. Entry is free, the music is as cool as can be, and the scenery is simply breath-taking.

Parties and Nightlife

Khao San Road is one of the most popular destinations for tourists, especially backpackers. The street has pretty much everything you could wish for: street food, spectacle, and tons of different bars and shows.

Bangla Road in Phuket comes to life after sunset. Smaller than Khao San or Walking Street, Bangla Road also has lots of pubs, clubs and bars to keep you entertained. Most of them are outdoors, with neon lights and loud music. Plus, everything here is close together, so it’s easy to sample a few different places.

Chiang Mai is a laid-back city whose nightlife is a bit more refined than some of Thailand’s more famous locations. In particular, Nimmanhaemin is a fine place to sample Chiang Mai’s vibrant atmosphere.

With its traditional festivals, laid-back entertainment, giant festivals, and killer parties, Thailand is the perfect place to go out and feel a buzz of cultural energy.