Events
What's on, month by month
Festivals, Thai holidays, full moons and the weekly markets. Dates can move, especially lunar festivals and Full Moon Parties, so always check locally before you go.
High season
December to April · Book early, highest rents
Hottest months
April to May · Bring patience and a hat
Rainy season
October to December · Heaviest in November
Every week
November 2026
Tue 24 Nov · Festivals
Loy Krathong
People float small decorated baskets with candles on the water to say thank you. The most beautiful night of the year.
Beaches, lakes and temples island-wide
Some calendars say 25 Nov; ferries busy (Full Moon Party same night).
Tue 24 Nov · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
The famous full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
Haad Rin Queen from Bang Rak; book ahead.
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
December 2026
Sat 5 Dec · Holidays
National Father's Day
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Government offices closed.
Thu 10 Dec · Holidays
Constitution Day
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Government offices closed.
Thu 24 Dec · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Christmas full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →Thu 31 Dec · Festivals
New Year's Eve
Fireworks along the beaches and a countdown Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.
Beaches island-wide; countdown party on Koh Phangan
Peak prices, book early.
January 2027
Fri 22 Jan · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
February 2027
Sat 6 Feb · Festivals
Chinese New Year
Lion dances and red lanterns around the Chinese shrines, especially in Nathon's old shophouse streets.
Chinese shrines, Nathon
Sat 20 Feb · Holidays
Makha Bucha (bank holiday 22 Feb)
Buddhist holiday with candle processions at temples in the evening.
Temples island-wide
Alcohol sales ban in shops and most bars.
Mon 22 Feb · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
March 2027
Mon 22 Mar · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →Sat 27 Mar – Mon 29 Mar · Sportsdate to confirm
Samui Open Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball tournament. The 2026 edition ran 27 to 29 March.
Chaweng (to verify)
2027 dates to be confirmed.
See Chaweng Beach on the map →
April 2027
Thu 1 Apr · Sportsdate to confirm
Samui Triathlon
Island triathlon, usually in April.
Coastal roads
2027 date to be confirmed.
Tue 6 Apr · Holidays
Chakri Memorial Day
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Offices closed.
Tue 13 Apr – Thu 15 Apr · Festivals
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Thai New Year and the world's biggest water fight. Chaweng Beach Road turns into a party zone.
Chaweng Beach Road and island-wide
Water fights everywhere, protect electronics.
Wed 21 Apr · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
May 2027
Tue 4 May · Holidays
Coronation Day
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Long weekend 1 to 4 May.
Thu 20 May · Holidays
Visakha Bucha
The most important Buddhist holiday, with evening candle processions.
Temples island-wide
Alcohol sales ban.
Fri 21 May · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →Sun 23 May – Sun 30 May · Sportsdate to confirm
Samui Regatta
A week of yacht racing off Chaweng Beach with evening parties. The 2026 edition ran 23 to 30 May.
Off Chaweng Beach (Centara Grand)
2027 dates to be confirmed.
See Chaweng Beach on the map →
June 2027
Thu 3 Jun · Holidays
Queen Suthida's Birthday
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Sat 19 Jun · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
July 2027
Mon 19 Jul · Holidays
Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa (bank holiday 19 Jul)
Buddhist holidays marking the start of the rains retreat.
Temples island-wide
Alcohol sales ban.
Tue 20 Jul · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →Wed 28 Jul · Holidays
King's Birthday
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
August 2027
Thu 12 Aug · Holidays
Queen Sirikit's Birthday / Mother's Day
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Tue 17 Aug · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
September 2027
Wed 1 Sep · Festivalsdate to confirm
Samui Festival
Island festival with parades, concerts and food.
Island-wide (to verify)
2027 dates to be confirmed.
Wed 15 Sep · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
October 2027
Wed 13 Oct · Holidays
King Bhumibol Memorial Day
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Sat 16 Oct · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →Mon 25 Oct · Holidays
Chulalongkorn Day (bank holiday)
Thai national holiday.
Island-wide
Long weekend 23 to 25 Oct.
November 2027
Sat 13 Nov · Festivalsdate to confirm
Loy Krathong
Festival of lights on the full moon of the 12th lunar month.
Island-wide
Date to be confirmed, it follows the lunar calendar.
Sat 13 Nov · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →
December 2027
Mon 13 Dec · Nearby islands
Full Moon Party
Full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
See Big Buddha Pier on the map →Fri 31 Dec · Festivals
New Year's Eve
Fireworks along the beaches.
Beaches island-wide
Peak prices, book early.
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