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:
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.
Practical info :
- When : From 16 to 17 November
- Where: Si Narong Stadium
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.
Practical infos :
- When : From 6 to 10 November 2024
- Where : Phimai Historical Park, Chakkarat River, Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima
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.
Practical info :
- When : Sunday 24 November
- Where: Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi
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!
Practical info :
- When : From 14 to 17 November 2024
- Where : Chiang Mai
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.
Practical Info :
- When: From 28 October to 3 November 2024
- Where: Little India, Phahurat Road - Khlong Ong Ang, Bangkok
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.
Practical information :
- When: From 28 November to 8 December 2024
- Where: The Bridge over the River Kwai in 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.
Practical info :
- When: 8 and 10 November 2024
- Where : Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai
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.
Practical info :
- When : 23 and 24 November 2024
- Where : Maho Rasop
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.
Practical info :
- When : November 22 on Sathorn in Bangkok and November 23 on Sukhumvit. 29 and 30 November in Chiang Mai.
- Where : In more than 80 galleries
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!
Practical info :
- When: From 8 to 17 November 2024 from 6 pm to 11 pm.
- Where: In the historic district of Bangkok.
- Admission : Free of charge
- Transport : MRT at Sanam Chai and Sam Yot stations.
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.
Practical info :
- When : From 21 November to 27 April 2025 from 6pm to 11pm.
- Where : Nasatta Park, Ratchaburi.
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.
Practical info :
- When : Weekend of 29-30 November 2024
- Where: Pattaya Beach, Chon Buri
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.
Practical information :
- When : 13 - 17 November 2024
- Where : Klong 5, Klong Luang 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.
Practical info :
- When: Sunday 17 November 2023
- Where: Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
- Official Website : bangkokmarathon.com
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.
Practical info :
- When: From Friday 29 to Sunday 1 December 2024
- Where : Terminal 21 Pattaya
Summary of November events in Thailand
Dates | Festival Name | Venue |
---|---|---|
28 October - 3 November 2024 | Diwali Festival Bangkok 2024 | Little India, Phahurat Road, Bangkok |
3 - 4 November 2024 | Mycelium Music and Art Festival 2024 | Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai |
6 - 10 November 2024 | Phimai Festival and Boat Races | Phimai Historical Park, Nakhon Ratchasima |
8 - 17 November 2024 | Awakening Bangkok 2024 | Historic District of Bangkok |
13 - 17 November 2024 | Harmony World Puppet Festival | National Science Museum, Pathum Thani |
14 - 17 November 2024 | Yipeng Festival of Lights | Chiang Mai |
14 November | Live Oxmo Puccino | Decommune, Bangkok |
16 - 17 November 2024 | Surin Elephant Festival | Si Narong Stadium, Surin |
17 November 2024 | Bangkok Marathon 2024 | Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Bangkok |
21 November 2024 - 27 April 2025 | Nasatta Light Festival | Nasatta Park, Ratchaburi |
22-23 November in Bangkok, 29-30 November in Chiang Mai | Galleries’ Nights 2024 | More than 80 galleries in Bangkok and Chiang Mai |
23-24 November | Live; Air | Maho Rasop Festival, Pathum Thani, Thailand |
24 November 2024 | Lopburi Monkey Banquet | Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi |
November 28 - December 8, 2024 | River Kwai Bridge Week and Red Cross Fair | Kanchanaburi |
November 29 - 30, 2024 | Pattaya International Fireworks Festival | Pattaya Beach, Chon Buri |
29 November - 1 December 2024 | Pattaya Street Basketball 3x3 | Terminal 21, Pattaya |