Songkran 2027 in Thailand: Dates, Where to Celebrate and What to Know

Songkran is the Thai New Year, and in 2027 it falls on 13 to 15 April, Tuesday to Thursday. It’s the biggest holiday of the year in Thailand, and the one where the whole country throws water at each other. If you’re coming to join in, the main decisions are which city to pick, what to expect from the crowds and the heat, and how to follow the local rules.

When is Songkran 2027?

Thai holiday calendars for 2027 list Songkran as Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April. The government’s formal notice of 2027 holidays hadn’t been published when we checked, and the cabinet sometimes adds a special day around Songkran, as it did on 12 April in 2024. The traditional three days are:

• 13 April, Maha Songkran. The start of the festival and the traditional last day of the old year.
• 14 April, Wan Nao. The day in between.
• 15 April, Wan Thaloengsok. New Year’s Day.

What Songkran is

The festival comes in mid-April, and the name refers to the sun moving into the Aries constellation. Families gather, younger people pay respect to elders and ancestors, and people visit temples to make merit and pour water over Buddha images. UNESCO added “Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival” to its list of intangible cultural heritage on 6 December 2023, describing the pouring of water as a symbol of cleansing, reverence and good fortune. The water fights in the streets are the part most visitors know, and they grew out of that custom. Our page on the Songkran festival covers the activity itself.

Where to celebrate

Bangkok

Bangkok has several kinds of Songkran. The 2027 schedules aren’t out yet, so here is how it worked in 2026, which gives a good idea of the pattern:

• Khao San Road, 13 to 15 April. A backpacker street that turns into a street-long water fight. Police said in 2026 there were no special events, just the usual water play.
• Silom Road, 12 to 14 April. The road was closed to traffic for water play and music stages.
• Benchakitti Park and the former Tobacco Monopoly site, 11 to 15 April. The Maha Songkran World Water Festival, with a parade, a sand pagoda and water pouring over Buddha images.
• ICONSIAM, 10 to 15 April. A mall-and-riverside program with a procession of Nang Songkran in traditional dress, water poured over Buddha images from nine temples, and a large water-spraying elephant.

Thai news reported more than 2 million people across the Silom, Khao San and Siam areas during the three days. If you’d rather skip the street crowds, ICONSIAM and the temples are the places to go. See our things to do in Bangkok guide.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s Songkran, called Pi Mai Mueang in the northern dialect, centers on the old city’s moat and Tha Phae Gate. In 2026 the festival’s events ran for longer than the three official days, and included the procession of the Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image from Wat Phra Singh on the first afternoon. Visitors can join the water play around the moat, too. Sources gave different start dates for 2026, so check the Chiang Mai municipality’s program closer to the time. See our Chiang Mai itinerary.

Rules and etiquette

• Ask first. Don’t splash monks, older people, babies or anyone not taking part. Guides advise reading the situation before you pour.
• High-pressure water guns. Thai police banned them in 2026, along with splashing water at moving vehicles. Rules can change each year, so check before you buy one.
• Alcohol on public transport. It was included in the 2026 police warning.
• Dress and protect your phone. Wear clothes you don’t mind soaking, and cover your phone and passport in waterproof pouches.

Road safety

Songkran is also known in Thailand for road deaths. Thai news reported 242 deaths on the roads over the seven dangerous days of Songkran 2026, compared with 253 the year before, with speeding and drink driving the main causes. If you’re traveling during the holiday, use licensed taxis or a driver, and avoid renting a motorbike on the busiest days.

Planning around the heat and crowds

April is one of the hottest months in Thailand, which is why the water is welcome. See our Thailand month by month guide for temperatures. Book flights, hotels and internal transport well ahead, since many Thais travel during the holiday. If you want to avoid the crowds, plan your sightseeing for the days before and after 13 to 15 April, and spend the festival days in one place. See our Thailand itinerary for routes that include Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Planning it with My Way Travel

We plan private trips in Thailand with a driver and guide, hotels chosen for the location and the crowds, and internal flights booked around the holiday. My Way Travel is rated 4.8 to 5.0 on Tripadvisor across its listings in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Spain, Germany and the United States, with more than 3,000 reviews in total. Have a look at our Thailand tours or tell us your dates.

Sources (read in Thai): Time Out Thailand’s 2027 holiday calendar; Manager Online, Thansettakij, THE STANDARD, Thairath and The Bangkok Insight on Songkran 2026; TAT News and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the UNESCO listing. Last checked October 2026.

Songkran 2027: FAQ

When is Songkran 2027?

Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April 2027, according to Thai holiday calendars. The government’s formal notice hadn’t been published when we checked.

Is Songkran a public holiday in Thailand?

Yes, a three-day national holiday from 13 to 15 April, although celebrations can last longer in some places.

What does Songkran mean?

It’s the Thai New Year. The name refers to the sun’s move into the Aries constellation, and the water pouring symbolizes cleansing and good fortune.

Where is the best place to celebrate Songkran?

Bangkok for the biggest street parties, such as Silom and Khao San Road, and Chiang Mai for a more traditional festival around the old city moat.

Can tourists join the water fights?

Yes, but ask before you splash, avoid monks and older people, and don’t throw water at moving vehicles. High-pressure water guns were banned in 2026.

Is Songkran safe for travelers?

The streets are friendly, and the main risk is on the roads. Avoid riding motorbikes during the seven dangerous days and use licensed taxis or a driver.