Phuket Festivals & Events

Festivals in Phuket are exciting, sometimes bizarre spectacles and certainly never bland. The island’s most distinctive event is the annual Vegetarian Festival, featuring processions of god-mediums performing shocking acts of self-mortification as a test of faith. This bazaar of the bizarre is held annually over 9 days in the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar.

Lively and colorful events that are unique to Phuket include the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and Phuket Bike Week, while others, such as Loy Kratong and Songkran, Chinese New Year, are part of nationwide celebrations. The island gets busy during festival times so be sure to book your hotel well in advance.

1. The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX)

The latest in marine technology

Good for: Couples, Luxury, Unusual

The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) must be one of the most interesting marine showcases in Asia. The exhibition of high-end craft and lifestyle brands is Asia’s leading in-water boat show, where for one long weekend in early spring Royal Phuket Marina transforms into a Monaco of the East.

The event gets bigger and bigger each year, covering over 21,000 square feet of air-conditioned exhibition space and about 60 in-water display boats. Come along to see luxury yachts, water toys, and other boating essentials. Read more

Location: 68, Thanon Thepkasattri, Kohkaew, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

2. The Bay Regatta

An exciting and unique race

Good for: Adventure, Families

The Bay Regatta brings the excitement of sailing races to the stunning settings of Phuket, Phang Nga Bay, and the coast of Krabi. Starting from Koh Naka Yai, entrants sail around Koh Yao and down the Krabi shoreline to Laem Nang. After racing around the Krabi islands, they finally dash across to Chalong Bay for the closing party.

The annual event attracts around 50 yachts from around the world for a casual competition in what is known as “Asia’s fun regatta.” Come along to enjoy the lively atmosphere and celebrate this year’s winners.

3. Wat Chalong Fair

An annual spectacle of color and community

Good for: Families, Food, Photo, Shoppers

Wat Chalong (Chalong Temple) Fair is probably the biggest of all temple fairs on the island. It was first started in 1933 by local farmers who lived near Wat Chalong. After a long period of hard work and when the harvest was complete, they would get together and create a fair on the temple’s grounds.

In later years, they set up the fair during the Chinese New Year because they wanted to make sure that Thais with Chinese heritage would feel welcome to join in, too. The fair lasts 7 days each year and is a colorful, crowded, aromatic, noisy but fascinating spectacle. Read more

Location: 6 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

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4. Chinese New Year in Phuket

Celebrating Phuket’s Chinese heritage

Good for: Adventure, Families, History

Chinese New Year is quite a big deal in Phuket, thanks to its strong connections to Chinese culture through the Thai-Chinese community. The entrances of many local stores and houses are often festooned with red banners and decorations to encourage luck and happiness during the coming year.

Expect lots of firecrackers going off and lion dances parading down the street throughout this annual celebration. Phuket Old Town is a particular hub of celebrations, so head here to immerse yourself in the joyful atmosphere. Read more

5. Phuket Old Town Festival

Thai culture on display

Good for: Budget, Families, History, Photo

Phuket’s Old Town Festival takes place in the historical center of the Old Town, along Thalang, Krabi, and Phuket roads. During the festival, the roads around the Old Town are turned into walking streets to allow space for dragon dances, street food vendors, and of course, all the visitors.

It’s free to attend the festival and enjoy the parades and performances, but bring some cash so you can try some tasty heritage dishes and drop in on any cultural workshops that catch your eye. Typically you can expect things like cooking classes and sessions with artisans teaching techniques like batik. It’s a fabulous festival for cultural immersion. Read more

Location: Old Phuket Town, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

6. Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival

Annual celebration of two great heroines

Good for: Families, Food, History

The Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival is an important annual event held every March to honor two heroic sisters, Lady Mook (Thao Thepkasattri) and Lady Chan (Thao Sri Suntorn). These women famously organized local forces to repel Burmese invaders in the 18th century, securing Phuket’s safety and earning their place in Thai history.

The festival features cultural performances, historical reenactments, parades, and traditional ceremonies. You’ll be able to try local foods, arts, and crafts while immersing yourself in Phuket’s rich heritage and community spirit. It’s a must-see for travelers seeking authentic Thai culture and inspiring stories of bravery. Read more

Location: Heroines Monuments, Wat Pranangsang and Talang Chana Kasuk Memorial Field, all in the Thalang area

7. Phuket Bike Week

A celebration of motorcycle culture

Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual

The annual Phuket Bike Week is one of the biggest motorcycle events in Southeast Asia, attracting thousands of riders and enthusiasts from around the world. You’ll get to see an amazing collection of Harleys, Hondas, and superbikes both on display and performing in parades. It features live music, contests, beach parties, and charity rides around the island.

The event takes place mainly at Patong Beach and Phuket Town, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with international camaraderie. Whether you’re a biker or a curious traveler, Phuket Bike Week offers an unforgettable mix of adventure, lifestyle, and island charm. Read more

8. Songkran Festival

A splash of good luck

Good for: Adventure, Families, History

Thailand’s most famous festival, Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year every April 13–15. Be prepared to join in the fun and get very wet or else stay indoors! Songkran is a loud, boisterous festival that features a lot of water throwing in the streets.

Originally a time for cleansing and renewal, locals visit temples, do good deeds and make donations, and gently pour water over Buddha statues and elders as a sign of respect. Today, Songkran has evolved into a nationwide street party, with people splashing water around to symbolize washing away bad luck. Read more

9. Laguna Phuket Marathon

One of the world’s most beautiful runs

Good for: Adventure, Families, Unusual

Every year, thousands of runners from around the world head to the Laguna Phuket Marathon, Southeast Asia’s premier destination race. Over a two-day weekend, the festival begins Saturday evening with 2 km Kids race, 5 km Fun Run, and 10 km Mini-marathon, followed by Sunday’s Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, and Full Marathon.

The scenic route weaves through rubber plantations, beaches, villages, and Sirinat National Park, with strong support: aid stations, medical teams, shuttles, expo, pasta party, and charity fundraising for underprivileged children. Whether you come to run or just to watch the spectacle, it’s a fabulous day out for the whole family.

10. Baba (Peranakan) Wedding Festival

The rituals of love

Good for: Couples, Families, History

The Baba (Peranakan) Wedding Festival celebrates Phuket’s rich Peranakan heritage with traditional wedding ceremonies in Phuket Old Town each May. This event is not only for lovebirds who want to have a gorgeous traditional Straits Chinese wedding; it’s open for all to come and witness as well as help celebrate this beautiful festival.

Hosted by the Peranakan Association of Thailand and local authorities, the two-day event features authentic rituals like the tea ceremony, bride’s hair-combing, and exchanging dowry baskets in historic Sino-Portuguese mansions such as Hongyok House and Blue Elephant. In 2025, the Baba (Peranakan) Wedding Festival in Phuket welcomed same-sex couples for the first time, following Thailand’s legalization of same-sex marriage.

Location: Phuket Old Town

11. Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek

Monsoon winds make for exciting sailing

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Nightlife

Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek is a four-day international regatta held each July off Phuket’s southeast coast, hosted by the luxurious Cape Panwa Hotel. Drawing 35–40 yachts with around 400 sailors from across Asia and beyond, races feature scenic yet challenging round-the-cans and round-the-islands courses amid monsoon-season winds.

After a thrilling day of world-class racing, the evenings play host to lively beach parties with buffet dining, drinks, and live entertainment. It’s a must for serious racers and spectators seeking high-end sailing and a buzzing social atmosphere.

Location: 27/2, Mu 8 Sakdidej Rd, Wichit, Muang, Phuket, 83000, Thailand

12. Kathu Street Culture Festival

Popular regional festival

Good for: Shoppers, Photo, Food, Budget

Kathu Street Culture Festival is a vibrant, three-day annual celebration held in early to mid-February along Wichit Songkram Road, in the usually sleepy village of Kathu. The free-entry event commemorates the area’s tin-mining and rice-farming heritage with colorful parades, Thai-Chinese dances (including lion dances), martial arts exhibitions, and food stalls featuring local and vegetarian treats.

Live concerts with performances by popular artists such as P-HOT begin around late afternoon, in addition to stage shows, exhibitions, and traditional children’s games. Organized to boost the local economy and preserve cultural identity, the festival draws thousands of Thais and tourists to enjoy an uplifting slice of Kathu life. Read more

Location: 71/4 Wichit Songkram Road, Kathu, Phuket 83120, Thailand

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13. Por Tor Festival (Hungry Ghost Festival)

A festival of family ties

Good for: Families, History, Photo

Por Tor Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is a unique cultural event celebrated in Phuket during the seventh lunar month, which usually falls in August or September. Rooted in Hokkien Chinese tradition, offerings of food, incense, and flowers are made to ancestors. Extra offerings are made for ghosts without relatives, or for people who died far away from their families.

Despite these associations, the festival is a lively occasion for expressing gratitude and celebrating family ties. Families prepare elaborate red turtle cakes, symbolizing longevity and good fortune, and bring them to local shrines such as Por Tor Kong Shrine. You’ll see parades, lion dances, and vibrant markets, creating a fascinating blend of spirituality and community.

Read more

14. Phuket Vegetarian Festival

A food festival like no other

Good for: Couples, Food, History, Unusual

A colorful event held over a 9-day period in October,Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts visitors with its vibrant rituals and spiritual devotion. It celebrates the Taoist community’s belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help maintain good health and peace of mind.

The festival is famous for its dramatic street processions, firewalking, and other acts of extreme physical endurance performed by devotees seeking blessings for the community. Shrines across Phuket, especially in Phuket Town, become focal points for prayers and offerings. Witness one of Thailand’s most intense cultural events, blending faith, tradition, and delicious vegetarian street food. Read more

15. Patong Carnival

Starting the vacation season with a party

Good for: Couples, Families, Food, Nightlife

Patong Carnival is an annual celebration marking the beginning of the high season in Phuket around November. The 3-day celebration sees Patong’s Beach Road and the surrounding areas crowded with parades, stalls, cabarets, and live music, as well as the flamboyant costumes and a lively carnival atmosphere.

There’s plenty to see and do, with family-friendly competitions, cultural performances, and a Seafood Festival featuring Thai and international cuisines. The event draws around 20,000 visitors, creating a bustling party vibe that marks a fantastic way to start a vacation. Read more

Location: Patong Beach, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand

16. Loy Krathong

A breathtaking spectacle of lights

Good for: Couples, Families, Unusual

A festival of quiet celebration, the origins of Loy Kratong are unclear, but it’s believed that it started in Sukhothai around 800 years ago. On this particular night, on nearly every expanse of water, be it a river, lake, or the ocean, you’ll see thousands of lights drifting across the water like fairies.

One of Thailand’s most enchanting festivals, Loy Kratong is celebrated on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month which usually falls in November. The name means “floating basket,” and the tradition involves releasing tiny rafts made from banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense onto the water. This symbolic act pays respect to the water goddess and signifies letting go of negativity and bad luck. Read more

17. Laguna Phuket Triathlon

World-class athletic talent

Good for: Adventure, Couples

Laguna Phuket Triathlon is Asia’s longest-running destination race and it takes place every November at Laguna Phuket, Thalang. The weekend kicks off with family-friendly events like the Saturday 6 km Open Water Swim and Fun Run, before leading up to the main races on Sunday.

In addition to the elite tier races, the event offers Sprint, Duathlon, Relay, and Open Water Swim options, plus a choice of scenic coastal, lagoon, countryside, and Naithon hill routes. Come as a fan to see some of the world’s best triathletes compete, or join in the amateur races to prove what you can do.

Location: 390/1 Moo1, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand

18. Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

A royal affair

Good for: Couples, Families, Luxury

Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is Southeast Asia’s most prestigious yacht race. Held annually off Kata Beach since its 1987 inauguration, it was created to celebrate King Bhumibol’s 60th birthday. As such, it’s usually scheduled in the first week of December to coincide with the late monarch’s birthdate. Over 100 yachts, from high-performance IRC racing to multihulls, cruisers, dinghies, and disabled divisions, come together to form a thrilling spectacle on the Andaman Sea.

Royal patronage is a vital part of the events. The King’s Cup Trophy is awarded under His Majesty’s authority, and the King and Queen preside over prize ceremonies. Daytime racing is complemented by spectacular beachside spectating, nightly gala events, and a festive social scene at Kata Beach. Read more

Location: Kata Beach, Karon, Phuket 83100, Thailand

19. New Year’s Eve in Phuket

The island lights up with parties

Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife

New Year’s Eve in Phuket is a dazzling celebration filled with beach parties, fireworks, and live entertainment. While there are too many parties to list individually, Patong Beach is the epicenter, hosting a huge countdown event with music, dancing, and spectacular pyrotechnics lighting up the Andaman Sea.

Luxury resorts across the island, from Kata to Kamala, offer gala dinners and themed parties, while beach clubs like Catch and Café del Mar create unforgettable nightlife experiences. Families can enjoy cultural performances and lantern releases for a more serene experience to ring in the new year.

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.