Loy Krathong 2026 Bangkok: date, five city venues and what's on

Loy Krathong 2026 in Bangkok falls on Tuesday 24 November, the full-moon night of the twelfth lunar month, and it is not a public holiday. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will hold the festival at five venues between 16 and 29 November, with most events on 23 to 25 November. BMA Permanent Secretary Thaiwut Khankaew chaired the planning meeting on 4 November.

At a glance

• Loy Krathong date: Tuesday 24 November 2026 (a working day)
• BMA festival: 16 to 29 November; dates differ by venue
• Theme: “Preserving Thai traditions, following the Rattanakosin waterways”
• Opening ceremony: Tuesday 24 November, 18.00, Mahakan Fort
• Hours: Mahakan Fort 17.00 to 22.00; other venues to be announced
• Admission: not stated in the BMA announcement

The five BMA venues

Venue	Dates	What’s on
Rama VIII Bridge, Bang Phlat	16–25 Nov	Student and community performances, krathong contest, low-priced goods
Phra Sumen Fort, Phra Nakhon	23–25 Nov	Cultural performances, krathong-making demonstrations, boat rides, market stalls
Khlong Prem Prachakorn, Don Mueang	23–25 Nov	Nopphamas contest, krathong contest, stage shows, exhibition, Bangkok-made products
Khlong Prem Prachakorn by Wat Samian Nari	24 Nov only	Traditional boat races, krathong contest, Thai dessert and flower demonstrations, a procession of old boats, floating market
Mahakan Fort, Phra Nakhon	23–25 Nov	Krathong floating, performances, Nopphamas contest, giant krathong photo spot, old-style market, riverside-life exhibition

Venue dates follow the reports in Naewna and Bangkok Biz News, both published on 4 November.

Mahakan Fort: the main stage

Mahakan Fort hosts the opening ceremony at 18.00 on 24 November. Its programme, “The charm of the Rattanakosin waterways”, runs from 17.00 to 22.00 on 23 to 25 November, according to Thansettakij. It lists khon, likay, lamtat and rod-puppet shows, workshops on making krathongs from natural materials, and free Thai costume rental.

From 17 to 29 November, a “three temples, one fort” programme links Wat Saket, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Thepthidaram and Mahakan Fort. It includes a walking tour, craft workshops, a Phra Nakhon market and contemporary music.

Ministry of Culture events

The Ministry of Culture plans its own Loy Krathong activities at Wat Arun and on Song Wat Road on 23 and 24 November, Thai PBS reports. The full programme is to be announced.

Where to float a krathong in Bangkok, and how

The BMA is asking people to use krathongs made from natural materials. The Ministry of Culture suggests cutting waste, for example by sharing one krathong per family.

Because 24 November is a Tuesday, the busiest evening will fall after a working day. Check each organiser’s page close to the date, because hours for most venues are still to be announced; we will update this article when they are.

For other things to do this month, see exhibitions in Bangkok in November 2026 and the Bangkok Theatre Festival 2026 guide. More festival news is in the culture section.