Phuket Festivals & Events

The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) must be one of the most interesting marine showcases in Asia. The event gets bigger and bigger each year, covering over 2,000 square metres of air-conditioned exhibition space and about 60 on-water display boats.

The Bay Regatta brings the excitement of sailing races to the stunning settings of Phuket, Phang Nga Bay and Krabi. Starting from Koh Naka Yai, entrants sail around Koh Yao and down the Krabi coastline 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".

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 shops and houses are often festooned with red banners and decorations to encourage luck and happiness during the coming year. Expect lots of firecrackers and lion dances throughout this annual celebration, especially in the Old Town. 

This festival has a strong historical connection to the island and lately has been promoted as one of the most important events in Phuket. The fair lasts many days and largely consists of sporting and cultural experiences.

Thailand's most famous festival celebrates the Thai New Year. Prepare 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.

This event is not only for lovebirds who want to have a lovely traditional Straits Chinese wedding; it’s open for all to come and witness as well as help celebrate this beautiful festival. It’s also a chance to explore two of Phuket’s grandest vintage Sino-Portuguese mansions used for the wedding.

Four days of exciting, international-standard yacht racing off Phuket’s East Coast. Plenty of social activities throughout the event. Around 35 boats enter each year, with more than 400 sailors from around the world.

The Hungry Ghost Festival is an important merit-making event for the ethnic Chinese. Special food, flowers and candles are offered to ancestors on altars.  Other offerings are made to 'feed the ghosts without relatives' that are said to have been released from hell for the month.

A colourful event held over a 9-day period in October, this event celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help obtain good health and peace of mind.

Patong Carnival is an annual celebration marking the beginning of the high season in Phuket. The 3-day celebration sees Patong’s Beach Road crowded with displays, stalls and activities, as well as the flamboyant costumes and a lively atmosphere that the word “carnival” usually conjures.

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 notice thousands of lights drifting across the water like fairies.

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest and most popular regatta. More than a regatta, the week-long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun. It started in 1987 to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand.

There are many places to celebrate New Year in Phuket – too many to list individually. Fortunately, they can be broken down into general areas, based on the types of party on offer. There's a certain amount of variety available, but they all offer a fun and friendly atmosphere, making for a memorable evening.