Loy Krathong in Bangkok 2026

If you want to see one of Thailand’s most beautiful holidays with your own eyes, plan your evening for November 25, 2026. That is when Loy Krathong in Bangkok will take place — a holiday when thousands of people set small floating baskets called krathongs on the water, each with a candle and flowers. It is not a staged show run by a single organizer but a living urban tradition: residents and visitors head to the water all over the city. On this evening the banks of the Chao Phraya River glow with lights, and lanterns brighten the sky in places. It’s worth going for the atmosphere, which is calm, warm, and truly Thai.

What is this holiday?

Loy Krathong literally means “to release a floating basket.” The holiday is celebrated across Thailand on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar, so its date shifts each year and falls in late October or November. Traditionally, people give thanks to Phra Mae Khongkha the water goddess, for the past year and for the harvest and prosperity. At the same time, they symbolically send off on the water their grievances, misfortunes, and everything they want to leave behind.

The krathong itself is a small raft, most often made from banana trunk, leaves, and fresh flowers. A candle and incense sticks are placed in the center, and sometimes a coin or a lock of hair is added “for luck.” When the little flame drifts across the dark water, the moment everything is built around arrives. By the way, in Bangkok, Loy Krathong is a family-friendly and very photogenic event: locals and tourists alike come to the water.

When and where it is held

In 2026 Loy Krathong in Bangkok falls on November 25 — an evening holiday lasting one day, tied to the full moon. The exact date is set each year by the lunar calendar, so it’s worth checking in advance. The main activities unfold after sunset, roughly from 18:00 until late evening.

The holiday takes place all over Bangkok, not at a single venue. The most atmospheric spots are the Chao Phraya River promenade and public spaces by the water: the shopping and entertainment complex Asiatique Riverfront with its long promenade, the riverfront at ICONSIAM, and city parks with ponds and canals, such as Lumphini Park. You can launch a krathong at almost any accessible body of water. That is the very spirit of the holiday.

Traditions and how it is celebrated

The main ritual is very simple and touching: a person goes to the water, lights the candle and incense on their krathong, silently makes a wish or gives thanks for the past year, and gently releases the basket onto the water. It is considered a good sign if the flame drifts far away and doesn’t go out.

You can buy a krathong right on site. In the evening, dozens of stalls selling ready-made baskets of varying beauty and price appear along the promenades and in the parks. Many Thais prefer to make their own krathong, which is part of the fun. Street food fairs usually operate nearby, traditional music plays, and in some places there are Thai dance performances and small fireworks by the river.

Here, a tourist is not a bystander but a full participant: anyone can buy a krathong and launch it on the water. It is a calm, laid-back holiday with no strict schedule. Come whenever suits you and simply become part of the shared stream of lights on the water.

Practical tips for tourists

The easiest way is to head to the river: a free shuttle boat runs to Asiatique from the Saphan Taksin pier, and many promenades and parks are easy to reach by MRT and BTS. Details are in our guide to transport in Bangkok. On this evening the waterfront is crowded, so allow extra travel time.

What to bring: some cash for a krathong and street food, comfortable shoes, and a charged phone or camera. The shots come out magical. Be careful near the water, especially with children, and keep away from sky lantern launches in crowded spots. If you want peace and quiet, choose parks with ponds instead of the most popular promenades.