Phuket Travel and Destination Guide

Events Calendar in Phuket

Phuket hosts a wonderful range of events throughout the year. International music and sailing events alongside vibrant local festivals vie for visitors attention in the impressive social calendar. It is well worth pre-checking the dates of these major events as accommodation may become a premium during these more busy times – and you may also wish to spice up your trip by coinciding it with one of the many great events taking place throughout the year on Phuket.

The Phuket International Blues Festival held annually in February at the Hilton Arcadia on Karon Beach. A relative newcomer with four years under the belt, the festival is nonetheless drawing some quality international acts, and is well-attended by music lovers from throughout the kingdom. Visit the official web site for details

Songkran, or Thai New Year, falls on the full moon in mid-April. This is the most popular festival in the Kingdom, and is a time for visiting family, making merit, and having a giant water fight on the streets! Be aware that travel during this period is more difficult, and accommodation more scarce.

The Vegetarian Festival, held every year in the ninth lunar month (around September) is of Chinese origin and really quite a sight for the western tourist. During a nine-day period, devotees from the local Chinese community will adhere to a strict vegan/vegetarian diet, perform merit making at Chinese shrines, fill the streets with colourful processions and incredible trance-state displays. While in the trance, devotees known as “Ma Song” will walk over hot coals, lift weights with spiked hooked through their tongue, and climb up knife-blade ladders. Not for the faint hearted! For history and photo gallery, visit the official web site.

Loy Kratong, the Thai festival of lights is a delightful picturesque event in mid-November. Small floating offerings made from flowers, leaves and candles are set off to float on the rivers and ocean. This is said to symbolize, amongst other things, the sending away of negativity from the previous year and by placing a strand of hair, a fingernail, and nine one-baht coins, the attraction of good luck for the coming year. 

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest and most popular regatta. More than just a sailing event, the weeks proceedings include great social sooirees as well, and the island becomes crowded with spectators and participants alike. Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held annually since, during the first week of December. Visit the Regatta web site for further details

Phuket Pride Gay Festival is an annual event, now in its 9th year and increasing in scope year by year. The festival is held over a four day period, with the dates fluctuating considerably. In the past, this popular festival has been held just one week before the Thai new year, so be sure to check dates and book accommodation in advance. The shenanigans include beach volleyball competitions, fashion shows, cabarets, bowling tournaments, a Miss Queen Phuket contest, a sunset foam party, and late-night DJ sessions at the surrounding bars and clubs. Some recent events have included a “Phuket Idol” karaoke talent show and the party culminates in the Phuket Pride Grand Parade. Visit the Thailand Pride web site for details.

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