Festivals and Events in Ko Samui

Thai people love to party and they celebrate some of the most original festivals in the world. Thai festivals form an integral part of the Festivals and Events in Ko Samui. Many of the important festivals celebrated here are of Buddhist origin, but some non-religious ones like the Monarch's birthday are also considered as major events of Samui.

The most important festivals and events in Ko Samui include Chinese New Year in February, Songkran (Thai New Year) in April and Loi Krathong (Festival of Light) in November. All these are celebrated with great pomp and grandeur featuring processions, temple festivities, food fairs and live performances. There are also a host of other events and festivals, which are celebrated with immense fervor in Ko Samui.

Major Festivals and Events in Ko Samui

- Buffalo Fighting Festival, Ko Samui

Held on special occasions such as New Year's Day in January, this hugely popular festival features bulls fighting with bulls, whereby the animals are adorned with ribbons and leaves on their horns.

- Children's Day, Ko Samui

Children's Day marks a special celebration for the children, and is held on the second Saturday in January every year.

- Buddha's Birthday, Ko Samui

Held every year in May, Buddha's Birthday is the most important date on the Buddhist religious calendar, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

- Samui Regatta, Ko Samui

This annual event is held in May and features a week of sailing competitions, cocktail parties and food events.

- Bowling Championship, Ko Samui

This is an annual bowling event held in May every year.

- Avis Samui Tennis Open, Ko Samui

The annual amateur tennis tournament held in July.

- The Fisherman's Village Festival, Ko Samui

This five-day long festival is celebrated with great merriment amidst lots of music and food.

- Triathlon Event, Ko Samui

The Ko Samui Triathlon event is an exciting event that attracts some of the top athletes from around the world.

- Ko Samui International Yachting Regatta

Numerous Keelboats and beach catamarans take part in the International Yachting Regatta held at Ko Samui.

- Full Moon Party (Koh Pha Ngan), Ko Samui

This beach party is all about fun 'n' frolic, with some 10,000-20,000 people dancing crazily to the music of well known International and Thai DJ's.

- Ko Samui Music Festival

The Ko Samui Music Festival started a couple of years back. This festival is marked by live blues, jazz, reggae, rock, pop, Thai indie, mor lam and luk thung and various other musical forms.