Places to celebrate Songkran in Bangkok
Finally, the time of fun that we have anticipated in the summertime is about to happen. We know many of you are prepared for Songkran and can’t wait to join water fights on the street.
Bangkok is one of the most vibrant cities where you can be sure to have a blast all day and night when it comes to Songkran activities. For Bangkok folks, if you have no idea where you should go, make sure you give this article a read.
We’ve curated seven places and events to celebrate Songkran in Bangkok for a fun time splashing water, dancing to EDM beats, and catching free concerts.
What is the Songkran Festival and how do Thai people celebrate it?
Songkran is a traditional Thai New Year festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across Thailand. It typically falls between April 13th to 15th each year, marking the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season.
One of the most iconic aspects of Songkran is the water splashing tradition, where people engage in playful water fights on the streets. This symbolic act is believed to cleanse away the past year’s misfortunes and bring good luck for the upcoming year. Streets are lined with people armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses, creating a joyful and refreshing atmosphere as locals and tourists alike join in the fun.
Apart from water splashing, Songkran is also a time for religious rituals and merit-making activities. Many Thais visit temples to offer prayers, make merit by giving alms to monks, and participate in traditional ceremonies such as pouring scented water over Buddha images as a sign of respect and purification.
Where can I celebrate Songkran in Thailand?
You can celebrate Songkran everywhere in Thailand because it is a traditional festival that Thais give importance to. However, if you want to enjoy it to the fullest, we recommend heading to big cities in the country such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket & Chiang Mai. These places will usually hold big events with live music and concerts to entertain crowds.
Songkran officially runs from the 13th to the 15th of April; nonetheless, some places have their different Songkran dates. For example, Pattaya’s Songkran Day falls on the 19th of April. Some people enjoy Songkran in Bangkok and come down to Pattaya to enjoy it further.
1. Siam Songkran Music Festival 2024 (12-15 April)
Image credit: SIAM Songkran Music Festival via Facebook
Let’s enjoy this Songkran to the fullest at Siam Songkran Music Festival 2024. The music festival will exhibit Thainess through its features such as art toys, decorations, street food, and shows. It will also host EDM music with great famous DJs such as Martin Garrix, Zedd, Steve Aoki and Tiesto. Get ready to be splashed by many horses at the festival from 12-15 April!
Buy tickets at Ticketmelon. Prices start from ฿2,000 (~USD54.89) per 1-day pass.
Address: RCA CENTRAL PARK, BANGKOK, THAILAND
Entrance fee: From ฿2,000 (~USD54.89) per 1-day pass
Nearest train station: MRT Asoke
Contact: Siam Songkran Music Festival’s Facebook | Google Maps
2. S2O Songkran Music Festival 2024 (13-15 April)
Image credit: S2O Songkran Music Festival via Facebook
Presented by Pepsi, S2O Songkran Music Festival 2024 will go vibrant with spectacular visual effects, colours, sounds, and water complete with a gigantic stage and lineup of world-renowned DJs led by The Chainsmokers, Armin Van Buuren, Illenium, Afrojack, and many more, who are ready to bring non-stop fun throughout the 3-day event from April 13th to 15th.
S2O will kick off the hotness in Bangkok before travelling to create an extraordinary experience for people around the world, including Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.
The scale of this year’s S2o festival will be grander. Many enthralling activities as well as over 20 famous food stores will be brought here. You can expect all the fun in getting soaked, dancing, and vibing with their exciting effects and sounds.
Date: 13-15 April
Get tickets at EventPop, starting from ฿1,600 (~USD43.86).
Address: Rama IX Rd, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310
Entrance fee: From ฿1,600 (~USD43.86).
Contact: S2O Songkran Music Festival’s Facebook | Google Maps
3. Khaosan Road water splashing
Image credit: Khaosod Online
One of the best spots for enjoying Songkran in Bangkok is Khaosan Road. If you have been here before, we’re sure you will want to come back again. Khaosan Road is full of tons of people from all corners of the world splashing water and celebrating our special day. The whole road is filled with joy, and it gets lively from day to night.
When hunger strikes amidst the bustling energy of Khaosan Road’s lively scene, you can explore the wide range of dining choices available, from cosy cafes to bustling street food stalls, followed by a leisurely night at the trendy bars for some quality chill-out time.
Address: Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Google Maps
4. Samyan Water Street — สามย่านถนนสงกรานต์ 2024 (13-15 April)
Image credit: @A.ROUND via Twitter
Alright, we understand some of you don’t pay tickets to have fun, so head to Samyan Water Street. Held on Banthat Thong Road, this event is free and can offer you big fun with its water tower that will splash nonstop. You can refill water in your water gun all the time here also. There are concerts featuring famous Thai artists such as CDGUNTEE, PIXXIE, FLI:P MAYARAP, and MIRRR. With all this, you’re gonna have all the fun.
Event’s date: 13-15 April
Address: Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Nearest train station: MRT Hua Lamphong
Google Maps
5. วิถีไทย Water Festival Thailand (13-15 April)
Image credit: Water Festival Thailand via Facebook
For the 9th time, Water Festival Thailand will be arranged in six provinces including Phuket, Lamphun, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok from 13-15 April.
In the case of Bangkok, 11 spots along the Chao Phraya River are featured as follows:
- Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn (Wat Pho)
- Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan
- Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara
- Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan
- Wat Rachanadda Woramahavihara
- Tha Maharaj
- Asiatiuqe The Riverfront
- Tha San Chao Kao Un Uthong (Khlong San)
- Tha Sukosol Siam at Icon Siam
- Tha Yod Phiman
- The special feature of this year is the expansion of the event area at “Khlong Ong Ang“.
If you live in Bangkok, you can enjoy the festival at any of these locations, but we personally recommend Asiatiuqe The Riverfront and Khlong Ong Ang to young folks who wish to get unique festive vibes.
Things you can do at this festival are parade the Buddha image along the river, pour water over the Buddha image, shop for community products in the traditional market etc.
Contact: Water Festival Thailand’s Facebook
6. Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 (11-15)
Image credit: TAT Newsroom
To promote the country’s soft powers, the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 is set to take place from 11-15 April in Sanam Luang. It will feature vibrant parades of Buddha images, Mahodhara Devi, and Songkran traditions from 16 provinces, along with cultural performances by over 1,000 performers. Additionally, there will be Songkran traditions from five other provinces.
There will be exhibitions of Thai art and culture, such as Thai masked dance drama, Thai folk dance, contemporary fusion performances, and concerts featuring world-renowned artists.
Soft Power Zone presents Thai soft power things in five categories: sports, food, tourism, books and designs. You can enjoy Muay Thai matches, explore traditional Thai dishes, buy OTOP products, and play water with other festivalgoers.
Address: Ratchadamnoen Ave, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Contact: TAT’s Facebook | Google Maps
7. The ICONIC Songkran Festival 2024 (10-21 April)
Image credit: คมชัดลึก
ICONSIAM is throwing a massive party called the “ICONIC Songkran Festival 2024” from 10-21 April along the Chao Phraya River. This festival is like a blend of old-school Songkran water fights and cool modern stuff. Picture a seven-day parade with famous actresses and artists dressed as Songkran goddesses, pouring water on a big Phra Phuttha Sihing replica, and tons of water splashing fun.
Now that Songkran has been realised as a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage, It shows how much effort Thailand puts into keeping its traditions alive. This collaboration between ICONSIAM and the Ministry of Culture is like a showcase of Thai culture’s best, mixing old-school traditions with modern performances. It’s not just about having a good time; it’s about showing the world what makes Thailand so unique and awesome.
You can expect a vibrant and exciting celebration filled with traditional Songkran water-splashing activities and modern cultural experiences. The event is designed to be safe and enjoyable for families, with various entertainment options suitable for all ages.
Address: 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Contact: ICONSIAM’s Facebook | Google Maps
Have fun at Songkran in Bangkok
Despite being the hottest month in Thailand, it’s also a month of fun and festivity, so we hope you go out and enjoy these activities and celebrate Songkran in Bangkok like the locals do. But don’t forget safety – so ensure you take care of yourself. Happy Songkran, everyone!
For more news articles to read, check out things to do in Bangkok 2024, Japanese Village to host a free event in Ayutthaya, and available Grab pick-ups at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Cover image adapted from: Thairath