Whether it’s living it up at Thailand’s version of Burning Man, getting wet and wild during Thai New Year or appreciating the best in art—we’ve got you covered. Here are the biggest and brightest festivals our cities have to offer.
Maya Music Festival
Fans of EDM and trap music flock to this Pattaya-based party, which transforms a 118-acre plot of land with multiple stages, laser beams, art installations, food trucks and an RV camping ground. Since its 2016 debut, it has welcomed international headliners like German-Russian DJ and producer Zedd and Swedish House Mafia’s Steve Angello, more recently taking a dive into electronica, indie-pop and rock with Suede, Shura, Lany and Kodaline.
Where: Maya Space, Pattaya
When: Usually around January — stay tuned for 2021 dates
Credit: Bangkok Block Party
Credit: Bangkok Block Party
Bangkok Block Party
Powered by hip Bangkok party collective Blaq Lyte, this two-day gathering sees urban subcultures collide. Local and international punk bands, rappers and hip hop collectives fill the stages, accompanied by stalls from big Bangkok foodie names, local artists and streetwear brands. Past headliners include up-and-coming rapper Thaiboy Digital and American electro-indie duo Cherub.
Where: Bangkok
When: Usually January/February — stay tuned for 2021 dates
Bangkok Design Week
This week-long celebration of design descends on Bangkok’s creative districts each year with talks, workshops, fashion shows, markets filled with designers and lifestyle brands from across Asia, and exhibitions covering everything from student showcases to professional interior and architectural work.
Where: Thailand Creative and Design Center and other locations around Bangkok
When: Usually January/February — stay tuned for 2021 dates
Credit: Kolour in the Park
Kolour in the Park
Progressive, non-commercial house and techno dominate the speakers, while feather headdresses and bejewelled faces make up the crowd. Alongside art installations and food trucks, there’s a lake for swimming and wakeboarding thanks to the festival’s location in the Thai Wake Park—around 45 minutes’ drive from Bangkok city centre.
Where: Thai Wake Park, Bangkok
When: Main event on 7 March 2020, with supporting parties throughout the year
Credit: Mad Face Food Week
Credit: Mad Face Food Week
Mad Face Food Week
Love to eat? Then watch out for this kooky riverside pop-up, which sees local celebrity chefs whip up multi-course dinners in makeshift kitchens, as upscale restaurants roll in on food trucks. With bars and live bands to boot, this turns into a raucous three days of binging.
Where: Sermsuk Warehouse, Bangkok
When: 13-15 March 2020
Pattaya International Music Festival
Pattaya draws a crowd for this music-filled festival on the beach. A joint venture between Pattaya City and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the family-friendly event offers a two-day line-up of big local names and international acts, ranging from jazz and reggae to rock and hip hop. The best part? It is totally free of charge.
Where: Pattaya
When: Usually March — stay tuned for 2020 dates
Songkran
S2O Songkran Music Festival
Songkran
As Thailand’s hottest month, April marks the transition between the dry season and the rice-growing season. It is also the month when Thai New Year takes place. Traditionally, Songkran is a time to pay respect and make merit, but more recently it has escalated into an annual water war. Aside from religious water blessing rituals at temples, you can expect three days of chaotic countryside water fights—lasting even longer if you’re in Pattaya, where festivities launch on 12 Apr and ramp up to a cathartic head on Sunday 19 April.
In Bangkok, head to Silom and Khaosan roads for some of the wildest antics or Lumphini Park for something a little more cultured. In Pattaya, celebrations run for an entire week around Beach Road and Walking Street. For something slightly more organised, book a ticket for Bangkok’s EDM- and water jet-fuelled S2O or Siam Songkran Music Festival—just be sure to invest in a protective pouch for your phone and be prepared to get wet.
Where: All across Thailand
When: 13-15 April 2020
Credit: Circuit Festival Asia
Credit: Circuit Festival Asia
Circuit Festival Asia
This riotous three-day dance party is one of the biggest events on Asia’s LGBTQ+ calendar. International dance, electronic and trance DJs hit the decks, while revelers flaunt their six-packs at the line-up of beach and water park parties. Backed by the organisers of Circuit Festival Barcelona and Bangkok’s S2O and White Party, the festival’s production value is consistently high.
Where: Pattaya
When: 5-7 June, 2020
Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival
Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival
Film fosters cultural diplomacy between 10 Southeast Asian nations during this five-day event, featuring a film contest and free subtitled screenings of classic movies at some of Bangkok’s major cinemas.
Where: Bangkok
When: July — stay tuned for 2020 dates
The Vegetarian Festival (Tesagan Gin Jay)
Often referred to as “Jay Fest” (jay meaning vegan in Thai), this Taoist celebration sees Thailand’s Chinese communities go vegan for nine days, with yellow-flagged stalls serving eerily convincing mock meats and nightly Chinese opera performances at Bangkok’s Mangkon Kamalawat temple. Pattaya’s festivities typically include a dragon parade through the centre of town, among other ceremonies. Heading south? Phuket amps things up with eye-watering rituals like fire walking and tongue slashing.
Where: Across Thailand (especially Bangkok and Phuket)
When: 16-25 October, 2020
Bangkok Art Biennale
Every other year, this huge event sees local and international artists fill Bangkok’s galleries and public spaces with performances and exhibitions across a substantial four months. Conferences, workshops and guided tours complete the bill. The theme for 2020 is “Escape Routes,” which invites artists to take a hopeful approach to the world’s current state of paranoia and despair.
Where: Across Bangkok
When: 10 October 2020-21 February, 2021
Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music
Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music
Filling Bangkok’s theatrical void, this month-long festival welcomes a roster of dance, orchestra, theatre and ice skating performances from Thailand, Italy, Germany, Russia and beyond. It hits its 22nd year in 2020.
Where: Thailand Cultural Centre, Bangkok
When: Usually September-October — stay tuned for 2020 dates
Maho Rasop Festival
Calling all indie music heads! This fun-loving festival brings a line-up of alternative acts from home and abroad, as well as art, food and cultural activities. Past headliners include English pop-rock band Bombay Bicycle Club and UK shoegaze heroes Slowdive.
Where: Bangkok
When: 7 November, 2020
Loy Krathong. Credit: John Shedrick / Flickr
Loy Krathong
This 6,000-year-old Buddhist festival is celebrated across the country and sees Thais gather at rivers, lakes and canals to release beautiful lotus-shaped floats, or “krathong,” topped with candles and incense, in order to pay respect to the water goddess and to wish for good fortune. The celebration coincides with the northern lantern festival, Yi Peng. Lanterns are forbidden in Bangkok but are widely used in Chiang Mai and Pattaya, adding to the spectacle.
Where: Across Thailand
When: 1 November, 2020 (date changes according to the Thai lunar calendar)
Pattaya International Firework Festival
Pattaya International Firework Festival
Traditionally in celebration of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, this gunpowder-fuelled two-day festival sees countries from around the world light up Central Pattaya Beach with spectacular pyrotechnic displays over the ocean. Parades, live music and traditional dance shows add to the fun.
Where: Pattaya
When: November — stay tuned for 2020 dates
Bangkok Bank CycleFest
Bangkok Bank CycleFest
Had enough of drinking and partying? Then get down to this sporty cycling event to test yourself in individual timed rides, team time trials, family rides and a 90-minute fun ride. If you just scoffed at the word “fun,” then check out the festival’s off-saddle activities and food stands instead.
Where: Pattaya
When: November — stay tuned for 2020 dates
Wonderfruit
Wonderfruit
Wonderfruit
The most anticipated festival on the Thai calendar takes its inspiration from the likes of Burning Man and Glastonbury, and puts extra emphasis on sustainability. Expect top names in electronic music (think Four Tet or Floating Points in 2019), along with cool art installations, yoga classes and exciting pop-up dinners. The music lineup is a hyper-eclectic affair, spanning everything from world music and reggae to electronica and techno.
Where: The Fields at Siam Country Club, Pattaya
When: December — stay tuned for 2020 dates
Credit: Made by Legacy
Made by Legacy
Calling all hipsters: this open-air flea market is your chance to parade your pedigree pooch around while donning your finest retro-wear. The bi-annual pop-up returned for its 11th year in January, packed with food stalls, live music, beer stands and a dizzying array of antique furniture, collectibles, vintage clothing and stalls from creative local designers.
Where: Bangkok
When: January and November — stay tuned for the next date
Credit: Very Festival
Credit: Very Festival
Very Festival
Led by Bangkok event organiser The Very Company, this newbie debuted in 2019 with an impressive line-up of indie, easy listening and rock music that included French multi-instrumentalist FKJ and British alternative rock band Nothing But Thieves. Its follow-up “Spring Break” edition (14 March 2020) continued the party with Japanese trip-hop artist Joji and British pop crooner Bruno Major.
Where: Bangkok
When: November — stay tuned for 2020 date
Credit: Thailand Brew Fest
Thailand Brew Fest
Pack your beer goggles for this huge craft beer showcase led by craft beer importer Smiling Mad Dog. It typically features upwards of 250 labels from around the world, live music from local bands and food stands from respected Bangkok names.
Where: Bangkok
When: Usually November or December — stay tuned for 2020 date
White Party
Self-proclaimed as “Thailand’s largest gay New Year festival,” this five-day party attracts over 20,000 revelers from across the globe. Known for its epic audio-visuals, the festival attracts a line-up of world-class dance, techno, trap and electronic DJs.
Where: CentralWorld and Seen Rooftop Bar, Bangkok
When: 31 December, 2020, to 3 January, 2021
