When is Songkran?
Songkran 2027 is on Tuesday
Tuesday, April 13, 2027
April 13 to 15 every year, Thailand's three-day public holiday. That's in 191 days.
until Songkran begins, in your time zone
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, a three-day April holiday famous for its nationwide water fights but rooted in quieter rites of cleansing, merit-making and respect for elders.
About Songkran
Songkran takes its name from a Sanskrit word for passage or transition, referring to the sun's move into Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, which traditionally began the new year in mid-April. It comes at the hottest time of the year, after the rice harvest, and above all it is a family holiday: many people leave Bangkok and other cities to spend the break in their home provinces.
Water runs through every part of the festival. Families go to the temple to make merit, offer food to monks and build small sand stupas in the temple grounds, and they gently pour scented water over Buddha images. Younger people pour water over the hands of parents, grandparents and respected elders, asking for their blessing in a ritual called rod nam dam hua. The boisterous side of Songkran, with water guns, buckets and street parties in places such as Chiang Mai and Bangkok's Silom Road, grew out of this custom of blessing with water.
UNESCO inscribed "Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival" on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023. Thailand observes April 13 to 15 as public holidays every year, with substitute days when they fall on a weekend, and April 13 and 14 double as National Elderly Day and National Family Day. Neighboring countries hold closely related new year festivals at the same time, including Pi Mai in Laos, Thingyan in Myanmar and Choul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia.
Sources: UNESCO: Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival, The Nation Thailand: Bank of Thailand sets 18 bank holidays in 2027. How we check dates.
How to mark Songkran
- Pour a little scented water over the hands of an older relative or neighbor and ask for their blessing.
- Visit a Thai temple to offer food to monks or help build a sand stupa.
- If you join a water fight, use clean water, protect your phone, and skip anyone who is not playing, including monks and the elderly.
- Cook a Thai meal at home or support a local Thai restaurant during the holiday.
- Give your home a spring clean, a traditional way to start the new year fresh.
Songkran dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday, April 13, 2025 |
| 2026 | Monday, April 13, 2026 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, April 13, 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday, April 13, 2028 |
| 2029 | Friday, April 13, 2029 |
| 2030 | Saturday, April 13, 2030 |
| 2031 | Sunday, April 13, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is Songkran 2027?
Songkran 2027 is on Tuesday, April 13, 2027. It falls on April 13 to 15 every year, Thailand's three-day public holiday. In 2028, it is on Thursday, April 13, 2028.
Why do people throw water during Songkran?
Water symbolizes cleansing and good fortune for the new year. The street water fights grew out of the gentler custom of pouring water over Buddha images and the hands of elders.
Is Songkran celebrated outside Thailand?
Yes. Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia celebrate closely related new year festivals in mid-April, and Thai communities abroad hold their own Songkran events.
Is Songkran a public holiday?
No. Songkran is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.