Songkran 2026: What to Expect for Thai New Year (Water Festival)

Planning a trip to Thailand during Songkran? This isn't just a festival—it's the world's biggest water fight mixed with ancient traditions, street parties, and non-stop fun. But where should you go? How do you join the water battles in a comfortable way? And what should you never do during the celebrations?

This guide covers everything—best places to celebrate, key dates, and essential tips to make your Songkran trip unforgettable (in a good way!). Let's dive in!

What is Songkran Festival and How to Celebrate

Songkran is Thailand's traditional New Year, but it's best known for its lively water fights. Locals and tourists splash each other with water guns, and buckets to wash away bad luck and welcome the new year. Beyond the water splashing fun, Songkran celebration also includes temple visits, family reunions, and blessings from elders.

When is Songkran Festival

Every year, Songkran officially runs from April 13 to 15, but in some places (like Chiang Mai), celebrations can last a whole week! Here's what each day means:

April 13 (Wan Songkran Long) – The first day: Families prepare, clean homes, and visit temples.

April 14 (Wan Nao) – A day for making merit (offering food to monks) and family time.

April 15 (Wan Payawan) – The New Year begins! The biggest water fights happen this day.

Where to Celebrate Songkran in Thailand

Almost every city in Thailand hold water fights during Songkran—but some places do it bigger, wilder, or with more tradition. Whether you want all-night street parties, beachside battles, or cultural ceremonies, here are the best places to experience Songkran in Thailand:

Bangkok: The Biggest Street Water Flights

For thrill-seekers who love high-energy street parties, Bangkok is the place to go. During the Songkran, the city transforms into one giant water fight zone with nonstop music, pop-up dance stages, and vibrant nightlife. The biggest celebration happens in the Khao San Road area. Travelers and locals engage in all-day battles with super soakers and buckets.

To enjoy the water festival's excitement without the chaos, consider opting for our private tour combining festive fun with comfort and cultural depth. While independent travelers often get caught in the chaos of overcrowded Khao San Road, we provide access to vibrant yet more manageable zones at Silom Road. These carefully selected venues maintain all the excitement of traditional celebrations while offering a safer, more comfortable environment - particularly ideal for families with children.

Beyond the water fights, we create meaningful cultural moments through exclusive experiences like sandcastle building and pouring water over Buddha images at temples like Wat Pho or Wat Arun, giving you deeper insight into Songkran's spiritual significance. These authentic interactions often become the most cherished memories of your trip.

Travel with ease thanks to our private tour services. After enjoying the water festivities, retreat to our air-conditioned vehicles stocked with fresh towels and cool drinks - ensuring you stay comfortable while moving between activities. This seamless logistical support lets you fully immerse yourself in the celebration without worrying about practical details.

If you don't want to take part in the massive water fight scene, we recommend these gentler options:

Lumpini Park: Organized water activities offers relaxed Songkran experiences, where families and those seeking a gentler celebration can enjoy water play in a spacious, green setting.

Siam Paragon/Siam Square: More controlled water play with shopping nearby.

Chatuchak Park: Family zones with kid-friendly water stations.

Couples might enjoy the ICONSIAM celebrations along the riverfront, where cultural shows mix with sophisticated water play. The Riverside hotels often host elegant Songkran parties with stunning Chao Phraya views.

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Chiang Mai: Traditional Blessings Meet Playful Splashing

For an authentic and immersive dive into Thailand's Songkran festival, we highly recommend you celebrate in Chiang Mai. As the culture heart of Thailand, Chiang Mai offers a profoundly different experience from Bangkok's electrifying street parties.

Here, the water festival unfolds as a sacred ritual. The Buddhist blessings at ancient temples blend with respectful water ceremonies, such as monks gently pouring scented water over devotees' hands to wash away misfortune. You can witness the magnificent Chiang Mai official Songkran parade (only on April 13th) – towering sand pagodas carried by dancers in traditional Lanna costumes (only on April 15th), elaborate floral floats, and rhythmic folk music performances.

In local neighborhoods, you'll be invited to join the true spirit of the festival: helping elders build sand stupas at temple courtyards, sharing homemade khao chae (special Songkran food), or learning the proper way to give water blessings.

To ensure you experience in the most authentic, comfortable way, consider joining our carefully curated itinerary. Your private guide will take you to quieter temple ceremonies at Wat Phra Singh or Wat Chedi Luang where monks perform traditional water blessings in a peaceful setting. Families will appreciate our child-friendly introductions to these rituals, helping little ones understand the meaning behind the celebration.

When it's time for water fights, our guide will take you to the best local spots—whether that's the famous Tha Phae Gate for lively splashing or more relaxed zones along the Old City moat where the water play is gentler. Our tour services secures shaded seating areas, fresh towels, and even kid-sized water guns so families can join the fun without stress.

Phuket: Lively Beachside Water Play

With its mix of international beach party vibes and Thai traditions, Phuket suits active travelers seeking a playful (but not too chaotic) Songkran. The island transforms into a nonstop party, offering everything from wild beach battles to cultural rituals—here's where the action unfolds:

The iconic Patong Beach transforms into a massive water battlefield by day, where powdery sand becomes a splash zone filled with revelers armed with super soakers and buckets. As sunset arrives, the action shifts to Bangla Road where neon lights replace water guns - here, foam cannons blast dancing crowds, and DJs spin all night.

For those seeking a gentle fight, Karon Beach offers a more balanced experience. Mornings begin with serene alms-giving ceremonies where robed monks receive offerings along the shore, followed by family-friendly water play in the gentle shallows. The beach maintains a lively but manageable vibe, making it ideal for families or those wanting to enjoy both spiritual and playful aspects of the festival.

If you love culture, head to Phuket Old Town, blending water festivities with its colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture. You can participate in local customs like building sand stupas for merit-making, then cool off with friendly water battles against laughing shop owners and residents.

Krabi: Authentic Island Charm & Water Fun

Krabi's Songkran offers a more relaxed water festival, blending family-friendly fun with stunning natural scenery and authentic local traditions. Unlike the wild party scenes elsewhere, Krabi's celebrations maintain a laid-back island vibe.

The main beachfront at Ao Nang transforms into a giant water playground during all three festival days, with gentle water fights perfect for families. Kids splash safely in the shallow waters while parents join in or relax at beachside bars offering prime viewing spots.

For a secluded getaway, Railay Beach offers both thrilling rock climbing and the chance to join lively water fights.

Other place, like Krabi Town comes alive on April 13th with the most traditional celebrations. The morning begins with a colorful parade from the clock tower to Wat Kaew Korawaram, where locals in traditional Thai costumes perform cultural shows. You can participate in the sacred "Rod Nam Dum Hua" ceremony, where younger generations pour scented water over elders' hands to receive blessings. By afternoon, the mood shifts as the streets become a good-natured water battle zone.

For those seeking something different, the nearby hot springs at Klong Thom offer a unique Songkran experience - alternating between cool water fights and soaks in mineral-rich warm waters.

Koh Samui: A Relaxed Luxury Songkran Escape

With its laid-back island charm, Koh Samui is ideal for travelers who want joyful celebrations without big crowds. The festival here perfectly blends beachfront water fights with authentic cultural moments, all set against Samui's stunning coastal scenery.

Chaweng Beach serves as the island's liveliest Songkran hub, where beach clubs like Ark Bar and Green Mango set up massive sound systems and water stations along the shore. This is where young travelers and party lovers congregate for all-day water battles set to DJ beats, with foam machines adding to the festive chaos as the afternoon progresses.

Just south along the coast, Lamai Beach offers a more relaxed alternative - families and couples can enjoy gentler water fights before cooling off in the sea, with beachfront restaurants providing perfect spots to dry off and refuel with fresh seafood.

For a more cultural experience, Fisherman's Village in Bophut transforms into a charming celebration space. The walking street hosts traditional dance performances and small pop-up markets selling local handicrafts, while a dedicated kids' zone lets younger visitors enjoy safe water play.

Nearby, the iconic Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) and the colorful Wat Plai Laem host morning blessing ceremonies where you can participate in the sacred water pouring rituals.

Thailand Songkran Festival & Cultural Discovery Tour

Why not extend your Thai adventure by combining Songkran Festivities with Thailand's must-visit destinations?

To enjoy your Thai New Year journey, we've designed a 10-day Songkran Festival Tour that balances cultural immersion with tropical relaxation. Unlike Bangkok's massive street water fights, Chiang Mai offers richer cultural celebrations during Songkran – think flower parades, traditional dance performances, and temple sand pagoda-making. That's why we've chosen Chiang Mai for your authentic festival experience.

Your adventure begins in Bangkok, where you'll witness the capital's most iconic landmarks. Then we'll take you deep into Chiang Mai's authentic celebrations – think flower-lined processions, almsgiving ceremonies at dawn, and learning water-pouring rituals from local elders. The tour ends in Phuket, where you can unwind on palm-fringed beaches and reflect on your cultural experiences while enjoying the Andaman Sea's turquoise waters. See day by day itinerary here:

Day 1-3: Bangkok, visit the iconic temples and Grand Places, and local markets.

Day 4: Chiang Mai, take part in traditional Lanna-style events, including the official Chiang Mai Songkran parade, a procession of revered Buddha statues, vibrant dance troupes, and elaborate cultural floats.

Day 5: Chiang Mai, participate in the morning Song Nam Phra ritual and afternoon water fight at Tha Pae Gate. Experience lively street water battles, enjoy traditional music and captivating cultural performances.

Day 6: Chiang Mai, experience ethical interaction with elephants and engaging in natural behaviors like bathing in the river.

Day 7: Fly from Chiang Mai to Phuket.

Day 8-9: Phuket, enjoy sunny beach, crystal waters as well as canoe & island exploration.

Day 10: Departure Phuket.

Tips or Etiquettes for Water Flight on Songkran

Water fights are an extremely fun way to celebrate the Songkran Festival. If you want to join them, follow these tips to avoid any problems.

1. Follow the rules: it's a "war", but there are rules. Use clean fresh water and water guns (high-pressure guns are prohibited), and don't shoot people in the eyes.

2. Be careful: April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand, with temperatures that can reach up to 40 degrees Celcius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

3. Wet powder: a lot of people will spread wet powder on your face to bless you (except on Khao San Road in Bangkok, where it is prohibited). Carry a bottle of water to wash your face afterwards.

4. Dress code: it's better to use swim goggles and swimsuits. Always wear a t-shirt (fighting topless is illegal).

5. Protect your electronic devices using a waterproof bag.

6. Avoid driving: traffic in Thailand is extremely dense. During Songkran, thousands of people will be driving on the streets, making the roads particularly dangerous.

7. Don't splash water on monks, the elderly, babies, pregnant women, and people who are working. Try to respect people who wouldn't expect to participate in the water fight.

8. Don't take off your dress or shirt even you have got wet. You can get arrested, as it violates the values and culture of Thailand.

Enjoy Songkran Water Flight with Highlights Travel

Ready to experience Songkran like never before? Let our Thailand experts craft your perfect water festival adventure - from temple blessings to the best water fight spots. Plan your Songkran trip today and we'll handle all the details while you focus on making unforgettable memories!