Festivals and Key Events in Thailand - November 2024

November in Thailand is a month dedicated to honoring the country’s ancient traditions, like Loi Kratong, and embracing regional festivals, including the Surin Elephant Festival. It’s also a time for dazzling fireworks in Pattaya, the iconic Bangkok Marathon, Gallery Night, and much more.

Loi Kratong 2024 in Thailand

Loi Kratong is one of Thailand’s most beautiful traditional events. It’s truly a unique moment that should be witnessed and experienced. In this simple yet profound ritual, baskets made from banana leaves, adorned with candles and flowers, are gently placed on the water to honor the goddess of water and dispel misfortunes.

All you need to know about the traditional Loi Kratong festival in Thailand:

Celebrate Loy Krathong Festival 2024 in Thailand: Top activities, locations, and traditions

Every year, on the night of the full moon of the 12th lunar month, one of Thailand’s most enchanting festivals, Loy Krathong or Festival of Lights, takes place in 2024. Here’s all the information you need to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Other traditional Thai festivals in November

Surin Elephant Festival 2024

The Surin Elephant Festival in Thailand celebrates elephant culture with parades, skill demonstrations and cultural shows, and attracts travellers from all over the world to discover the local culture.

The Phimai Festival and Boat Races

The Phimai Festival and the Boat Race is a major event featuring exciting attractions. Every day, sound and light shows come to life, while boat races offer fiery competition. In addition, a reconstructed antique market offers a variety of local produce, arts and crafts, and farm produce, allowing visitors to discover the richness of the region.

Lopburi Monkey Banquet

The town of Lopburi, north of Bangkok, is famous for its temples and especially for the monkey clans that occupy the historic town centre. Every year, the town honours its guests with a festival featuring large banquets. A very special occasion, well worth the diversions.

Yipeng 2024 Chiang Mai Light Festival

The release of khomloy sky lanterns (โคมลอย) is truly magical and not to be missed. However, they are now banned throughout Chiang Mai and its 8 districts for air safety reasons. To do them, you need to go to the east of the city, to Sankamphaeng, Mae On or Doi Saket. There are agencies that organise tours… Note that this festival is normally free!

Diwati Festival Bangkok 2024

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Join the celebration with Bollywood-style cultural performances, a selection of Indian dishes from renowned restaurants, tributes to Ganesh and Lakshmi for blessings of success and prosperity, and stalls selling saris, jewellery and cultural decorations.

River Kwai Bridge Week and Red Cross Fair 2024

Return of the River Kwai Bridge Festival with, as every year, illuminations and shows honouring the history (true and fictional) of the famous bridge in the town of Kanchanaburi.

November in Music in Thailand

Mycelium Festival

The Mycelium Music and Art Festival 2024, scheduled for 3 to 4 November (with a return on 5), promises an immersive experience of music and art. Expect an exceptional fusion of local and international musical styles featuring renowned artists for an unforgettable experience.

Rolling Loud Thailand 2024

The Rolling Loud festival is back with a bang, featuring hip-hop, rap and more. Big line-up!

Live Oxmo Puccino - Demi Portion with DJ Rolexx

Big live in Bangkok on 14 November, with Oxmo Puccino - Demi Portion and DJ Rolexx. Live at Decommune in the heart of the City of Angels. An event not to be missed. Tickets limited!

Concert: Air play Moon Safari

One of France’s best-known electro-pop groups needs no introduction. They’ll be playing their famous hits (Sexy Boy, Kelly Watch The Stars, etc.) in Bangkok at the Maho Rasop. This is Air’s very first appearance in Thailand. The concert is part of the 25th anniversary tour of Moon Safari, celebrating the band’s first album. The tour will make stops in several cities in Europe, America and Japan.

Galleries’ Nights 2024

Over the years, Galleries’ Nights has become a not-to-be-missed event. As in previous years (except Covid years), the Nuit des Galeries will take place over two evenings, during which art lovers will be able to move from gallery to gallery on a discovery trail as rich as ever. This initiative by the French Embassy is a highlight of the cultural life of both the City of Angels and Chiang Mai! In fact, this eleventh edition of the exhibition is also being held in Chiang Mai. For more information: visit the Sawasdee France website.

Awakening Bangkok 2024

For 9 days from 8 to 17 November, Bangkok’s historic Phra Nakhon district will be illuminated by a variety of artists. This year’s theme, One Light, One Rises | Lighting Up Places, Inspiring People, will feature 35 works of art by Thai and international designers. The illuminations will be centred around well-known landmarks such as Yodpiman River Walk, Museum Siam, Saranrom Park, Bangkok City Hall and Romaneenart Park. Not to be missed!

Nasatta Light Festival Winter Illumination 2024

The Nasatta Park illuminations start up again this November and will continue until 27 April. There’s no need to rush, you’ve got plenty of time to discover these very romantic illuminations.

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival 2024

On 29 and 30 November, Pattaya beach welcomes the return of the International Fireworks Festival, promising two days of breathtaking shows and memorable moments.

Harmony World Puppet 2024

Enjoy fascinating Thai and international puppet shows from over 10 countries around the world. It’s at the National Science Museum Thailand or NSM in Pathum Thani.

November sporting events in Thailand

Bangkok Marathon 2024

The Bangkok Marathon is one of Thailand’s most iconic races. Held every year, it attracts runners from all over the world to the streets of the Thai capital. Participants can choose from a range of distances, from full marathons to shorter races, suitable for all fitness levels.

Pattaya Street Basketball 3x3

The Pattaya Street Basketball 3x3 is an outdoor basketball tournament. It features the 3x3 format, with teams of three players battling it out on specially laid-out street courts.
The tournament features different categories, from amateur to more competitive divisions, allowing players of all levels to take part.

Summary of November events in Thailand

For all other events in Thailand all year round

Thailand Culture and Traditions

The Thailand culture and traditions section includes general information on a country with multiple cultural traits, such as art, music, dance, literature, religion, festivals, and cuisine, reflecting its long history and diverse ethnic groups.