When is Loy Krathong 2026?

Tuesday 24 November 2026 — the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month. The date moves each year with the lunar calendar.

How is the date of the festival of lights determined?

The date of this festival is not fixed. It changes every year. Like most other Buddhist holidays, what usually determines the date is that the festival occurs on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. Normally as per the Gregorian calendar this infamous festival falls on the month of November every year (or October and November as per the Western calendar). It’s only the dates that keep changing. So typically, the date is announced a month before the festival.

What does the name as well as the festival mean?

Remember earlier when we mentioned that it’s a floating lantern or float a basket festival? Well, ‘Loi’ means ‘float’ whereas ‘Krathong’ refers to a small basket which is usually adorned with flowers, candles, banana leaves and incense sticks. Hence the ‘float a basket’ festival.

How long does the festival last?

Usually, it lasts 3 days in most places in Thailand. The place that the celebrations last for 5 days like I mentioned above is at Sukhothai. Preparations as well as decorating for the festival are usually organized about a week before the festival.

Planning for the 2026 festivals?

As per Thai government travel by foreign tourists will begin on October 1st, 2026. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), only those who have been vaccinated and hold the inoculation certificate will be exempted from quarantine. There may also be some changes to the details of the event. So, contact your travel agency before making any travel plans.

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Loy Krathong 2026: Thailand’s Festival of Lights, and Where to See It in Phuket

BY Paul ChappellSeptember 19, 2021

Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November, the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month. In Phuket the biggest public gathering is at Saphan Hin park in Phuket Town, with beach launches at Patong, Nai Harn and Kata after dark; Suan Luang park in Phuket Town is the quieter option for families. Buy a krathong made of banana trunk and leaves, not foam — the beach and park organisers now turn foam ones away.

Loi Krathong is one of the most high-spirited festivals that are celebrated nationally in Thailand. People refer to this famous floating lantern festival or float a basket festival as the 'festival of lights'. Much as it is not an official public holiday in Thailand it is a Buddhist festival that is highly looked forward to and celebrated in Thailand.

To show you how valued this exuberant festival is, it is also celebrated by few neighbouring places outside Thailand. The only difference is that it goes under different names there. In Sri Lanka, they call it Il Full Moon Poya, in parts of Myanmar, it goes by Tazaungdaing festival while the Cambodians call it Bon Om Touk.

The origin of the festival

The festival originated in the oldest Sukhothai Kingdom which goes 800 years back and is related to Lord Buddha and water.

The Loi Krathong Festival originated in the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom which dates back 800 years. It is a festival that is closely associated with water and Lord Buddha. Because it was believed that the people of the Sukhothai Kingdom and the Thai locals today are closely connected to water and rely heavily on agriculture, they had to pay tribute to the river goddess Pra Mae Khongkha and Buddha and show gratitude for the water resources that they had in plenty as well as ask for forgiveness for the water pollution they have caused.

So just like 800 years ago, people are also looking forward to wash away sins of the past year and look forward to a clean state and good fortune the following year. Its all about letting go of past anger and hatred of any form.

Place the festival is celebrated

Much as the Loy Krathong 2026 will celebrated all over Thailand, there are specific places where the festivities happen on a massive scale. If you want to have the full experience here are the places to consider…

Sukhothai is considered to be the birth place of the festival. As opposed to other places which celebrate the festival 3 days, here it continues for about five days. Here you will experience floating lights, parades and lively performances, beauty contests as well as almsgiving practice to Buddhist monks.
Chiang Mai is one of the best places to fully experience the festival. You have the advantage of enjoying the picturesque views of the sky lanterns, exhibitions, fireworks, colourful parades, and traditional dance performances.
What makes Bangkok the other place to consider experiencing the festival is number of ponds and waterways there are to launch the Krathongs. The most popular places to launch the lighted baskets are Asiatique riverside, Wat Saket, Lumpini Park, Chao Phraya River and Benjasiri Park. Get there and enjoy the floating processions and fireworks.
Phuket: Saphan Hin park (the municipal event, stage and food stalls), Suan Luang park, and the beaches — Patong, Nai Harn and Kata all have evening launches. Expect crowds at Patong; Nai Harn is the calmer choice.

Make a day of it on the water

Loy Krathong falls in the first weeks of the high season, when Phang Nga Bay is at its calmest. A popular way to spend the day is our Phang Nga Bay Sunset private charter — back at Soho Pool Club, Boat Lagoon Marina, in time to head to the beach for the krathong launch after dark.

About Paul Chappell

Paul Chappell is the owner and operator of Simba Sea Trips, one of Phuket's most established boat tour companies, founded in 2005. With over 23 years as a professional airline pilot and more than 11 years in Phuket's tourism industry, Paul brings a unique blend of aviation-grade safety standards and hands-on marine expertise to every tour. He has been on the water since childhood — from waterskiing and houseboats to operating luxury charter boats across the Andaman Sea. Today, Paul oversees the Simba Group's four brands: Simba Sea Trips, Two Sea Tour, Soho Pool Club, and Simpro Academy.