Phuket Events & Festivals
Planning your holiday to coincide with one of Phuket's many events and festivals could make all the difference between a good holiday and a really memorable one. There are important events scattered throughout the year, so check if your visit to Phuket will coincide with anything you'd be interested in.
The Vegetarian Festival, which takes place in late September, is the most famous and spectacular of these. However, there are events throughout the year. Songkran, in April, is the Thai new year but is also an excuse for a huge water fight. While Loi Krathong, in November is a more subdued but magical festival.
February 2012
The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi: 2nd - 5th
Inaugurated in 1998 and now organized by the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC), this extremely popular four-day event follows a new and varied circumnavigation of the bay each year and attracts a following of approximately 50 boats. It offers some challenging racing, stunning locations and the perfect opportunity for great competition and FUN! (For more info see
http://www.acyc-phuket.com/bayregatta.htm).
Phuket International Blues & Rock Festival: 24th - 25th
Now in its 7th year this year's Phuket International Blues Rock Festival will take place on the last weekend in February at Laguna Phuket. The event will be headlined by Chris Thomas King, who has sold more records and appeared in more successful films than any other blues artist this century. Other acts include Rich Harper (USA), John Meyer (Australia) and AkashA (Malaysia), which will be joined by local Phuket-based performers.
When: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am, Feb 24 - 25th 2012
Where: Laguna Phuket
Email: phuketmusic@yahoo.com
Website: www.phuketbluesfestival.com
Punchline Comedy Club: "Whose Line Is It Anyway?": 29th
The Phuket Punchline Comedy Club returns with their biggest show yet, the live stage show of the original British TV hit, 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' with four of the show's stars: Stephen Frost (as seen with Mr. Bean: http://bit.ly/withMrBean), Andy Smart, Steve Steen, and Ian Coppinger.. For strangers to 'Whose Line is it Anyway?', four performers pit their wits against the audience by playing out scenarios in a style and setting of their choice. The whole show is totally improvised with the audience deciding what the performers say and sing about! This will be a total sell-out, so please book early!
When: Wednesday 29th February 2012
Doors: 8.00pm
Show: 8.30pm
Where: Holiday Inn Resort, Patong Beach, Phuket
Tickets: 1,200 THB / Expat Special Price until Wed 22nd February at 960 THB
Tickets outlets: Woody's Sandwich Shoppe (Chalong & Patong), Gitano Restaurant (Cherngtalay & Paklok), RPM Health Club (Koh Kaew), Shakers Restaurant (Patong)
Detailed info: www.phuketcomedy.com
General inquiries: 089-646-9278
March 2012
Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX): 29th Mar - 1st Apr
Now in its ninth year, PIMEX is an established and successful event in the marine and leisure calendar. PIMEX 2012 has big plans for 2012 as the on-water displays increase and the exhibition hall includes a greater diversity of displays from as far afield as China, Australia, Italy and France. The show is more than boats on display, but also an opportunity to see the latest luxury cars, properties and engage in some Phuket hospitality.
When: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, Mar 29th - 1st Apr 2012
Where: Royal Phuket Marina
Email: info@phuketboatshow.com
Website: www.phuketboatshow.com
April 2012
Songkran: 13th - 15th
Beginning on the 13th of April Thai people all over the country celebrate the Thai New Year, the most important holiday on the Thai calendar. The holiday is best known for revellers playfully splashing water on each other and dabing scented powder on each others faces as a new year blessing. Over the years this has escalated into a huge water fight where anyone is fair game. People roam the streets armed with high pressure water pistols or stand by the side of the road with buckets and hoses, ready to drench any passer-by. If you venture out during this period, the 13th in particular, expect to get soaked!
Traditionally, however, Songkran is a time of cleaning and renewal. During Songkran Thais perform religious rituals such as cleaning Buddha images, giving alms to the monks and going to the temple to pray. Songkran is also a time for families. Many people return home over the Songkran holiday and pay respect to their elders by sprinkling scented water over their hands. The festival is a 3-day public holiday, (see holidays).
Phuket Gay Festival: 24th - 28th
The Phuket Gay Festival is one of Phuket's largest annual events. Taking place in Patong, the festival runs over four days with many parties, a volleyball tournament and a street parade that is the highlight of the festival. (For more info see http://www.beachpatong.com/gaypatong/phuketgayfestival).
August 2012
Por Tor Festival
This Chinese ancestor worship festival takes place in the seventh Chinese lunar month, which is when the Chinese believe that the spirits of the dead are released from the underworld. The Chinese communities in Phuket make food offerings to appease the hungry spirits and to pay their respects. Turtle-shaped cakes are a popular offering as turtles represent longevity. The worshippers believe that these turtle cakes will help prolong their own life. Events take place around Phuket's Chinese shrines at different times over a 15-day period. Like most other festivals Chinese Phuket, there is a lot of food, as well as stage performances.
September 2012
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
The Vegetarian Festival takes place at the start of the ninth Chinese lunar month, which falls in late September or early October. This is Phuket's most famous and spectacular festival. The rituals, which last for nine days, are performed to purify both body and mind. During this time, participants go on a strict diet, which is technically vegan as no animal products are allowed to be consumed.
There are processions through the streets and tests of devotion where supplicants perform acts of self-mortification including piercing of the cheeks and tongues with knives and various objects. The more impressive events include ascetic devotees walking on burning coals and climbing ladders with knife-edged rungs. Definitely not for the faint hearted. (For more info see Phuket vegetarian festival).
November 2012
Loi Krathong: 28th
Loi Krathong takes place on the night of the full moon in November and is the most magical of all Thai festivals. Small lotus-shaped boats woven from banana leaves, called krathongs, are floated on water. These vessels contain small flowers, candles, incense and offerings to thank Mother Water for providing water for them to use. Thai people also believe that if they place a strand of hair or nail clipping in the krathong their troubles will be carried away with it.
In Phuket, many people go to Saphan Hin on the edge of Phuket City to launch their krathongs. The beach at Patong is also popular. There you can also float paper lanterns into the sky. Watching hundreds of these glowing lanterns drifting up into the sky over the sea is an enchanting way to spend an evening.
December 2012
Patong Carnival
The event is held annually to celebrate the start of the high season at Patong Beach. There are usually also be plenty of stalls selling handicrafts, food and beverage, fireworks displays, and parades. The event was previously held in November but for the last few years the date has been pushed back to December. This year's event will feature elaborate parades, sound and light shows, traditional Thai dance performances, live contemporary music, and "saving the environment" activities at Patong Beach.
New Year's Eve: 31st
Public holiday
For more information on all events in Phuket, contact the Tourist Office at:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
73-75 Phuket Rd.
T. Talad Nuea, A. Muang
Phuket 83000
Tel: 076 211 036, 076 212 213
