Loy Krathong Phuket 2026: Date, Spots and Tips

Loy Krathong Phuket falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, the full-moon night of the twelfth Thai lunar month. Travellers and residents float a small floral raft called a krathong on beaches, lakes and hotel pools after sunset, usually between about 8 pm and 10 pm. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) lists a seaside programme at Saphan Hin from 16–25 November, so the island builds up to the main night rather than marking a single hour.

This guide covers the date, the best places to celebrate Loy Krathong Phuket, how to buy a biodegradable krathong, why sky lanterns are restricted near the airport, and practical tips for families and first-time visitors. Details below draw on TAT’s Loi Krathong 2026 calendar and long-running local guides such as Phuket 101.

When is Loy Krathong Phuket in 2026?

In 2026 the festival night is 24 November. There is no ticketed start time: stalls appear after sunset and the water gets busy from roughly 8 pm to 10 pm. TAT’s Phuket Traditional Tourism Festival at Saphan Hin runs 16–25 November, so you can enjoy lights and cultural events on nearby evenings as well. In 2027 the full moon is expected around 13 November, but always confirm closer to the date because the lunar calendar shifts.

What is Loy Krathong, and how is it different from Yi Peng?

Loy Krathong is a water festival. People thank the water goddess, apologise for pollution, and float a krathong decorated with flowers, a candle and incense. Yi Peng, famous for thousands of sky lanterns, is a northern Thai tradition centred on Chiang Mai. In Phuket the celebration is on the water, not in the sky. Releasing flying lanterns near Phuket International Airport is restricted under Thailand’s Air Navigation Act because of aviation safety, so do not buy a sky lantern expecting a legal beach release.

Where should you celebrate Loy Krathong Phuket?

Almost every beach, pier and hotel pool joins in. Choose the mood you want:

• Patong Beach — the largest, liveliest crowd, with food stalls and music on the sand.
• Saphan Hin, Phuket Town — the main local gathering with fair stalls and krathong contests; TAT highlights this venue for 2026.
• Karon Beach and Karon Lake — two options a few minutes apart; the lake is calmer for families.
• Kata and Nai Harn — quieter beach evenings; Nai Harn Lake is popular with local families.
• Bang Tao and Laguna lagoons — convenient if you are staying on the northwest coast during race week or a resort stay (see our Laguna Phuket Triathlon notes if you are on the island mid-November).
• Rawai pier — float straight from the pier without fighting a big beach crowd.

Spot	Water	Best for
Patong Beach	Sea	Biggest crowd and atmosphere
Saphan Hin	Lake / seaside park	Local fair and TAT programme
Karon Lake	Lake	Families seeking calmer water
Nai Harn Lake	Lake	Quieter local vibe
Bang Tao / Laguna	Lagoons	West-coast hotel guests

If you want a broader cultural context for festivals on the island, pair this evening with our cultural experiences guide. For general November planning, including sea conditions, see Phuket weather in November.

How do you buy and float a krathong?

You do not need to make one in advance. Stalls appear near beaches, lakes and piers from late afternoon. A simple krathong usually costs about 40–100 baht; ornate versions cost more. Prefer banana-trunk, bread or other biodegradable bases — avoid styrofoam. Light the candle and incense, make a wish, and place the raft gently on the water. Locals sometimes add a small coin for luck. Keep valuables dry, watch children near the shoreline, and leave no plastic waste on the sand.

What else should travellers plan for that week?

Late November sits at the start of the dry season on the Andaman coast: days are warmer, and boat trips become more reliable than in peak monsoon months. Book popular island day trips early in your stay so a rough-sea cancellation can move to another day — our day trips overview covers Phi Phi, Phang Nga and the Similans. Expect hotel rates to climb as December approaches, so reserve rooms before the festival if you can. Ride apps (Grab/Bolt) get busy after 9 pm on the main beaches; allow extra time back to your hotel.

For a fuller list of attractions beyond the festival night, browse things to do in Phuket. Always check the official TAT notices closer to 24 November for any venue changes at Saphan Hin.

Practical tips for Loy Krathong Phuket night

Arrive before dark if you want parking or a Grab near Patong or Saphan Hin. Bring a light jacket for the breeze, cash for stall krathongs and snacks, and a phone torch for uneven paths around lakes. Respect temple-adjacent gatherings if you pass religious sites on the way — modest dress is still appreciated even on a festival evening. Keep candles away from dry leaves and never leave burning incense unattended. If the Andaman swell is up, prefer lakes and lagoons over the open beach for young children.

Photographers should use a fast shutter and avoid blocking the shoreline where people are releasing rafts. Drones are often restricted near crowds and the airport approach paths; check local rules before flying. For multi-day visitors, treat 24 November as a flexible evening rather than a fixed show — if rain passes through, wait an hour; celebrations usually resume once the showers ease at the start of the dry season.

FAQ: Loy Krathong Phuket

When is Loy Krathong Phuket 2026?

Tuesday, 24 November 2026, on the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month. Celebrations at Saphan Hin are listed by TAT from 16–25 November.

Where is the best place for first-timers?

Patong Beach for atmosphere, Saphan Hin for a local fair, or Karon/Nai Harn lakes if you prefer calmer water with children.

Can I release a sky lantern in Phuket?

Do not plan on it. Sky lanterns are restricted near Phuket Airport for aviation safety. Loy Krathong Phuket is celebrated with floating krathongs on water.

How much does a krathong cost?

Simple stall krathongs are commonly about 40–100 baht. Buy biodegradable materials only.

Featured image: tropical coast at dusk (Unsplash). Festival facts cross-checked with TAT Newsroom’s Loi Krathong 2026 calendar and Phuket 101’s venue guide.