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Celebrating Light: Understanding the Magic Behind the Amazing Annual Candle Festival in Thailand

| Last Updated: December 2024

My travel buddies and I love Thai holidays, especially when there’s a local festival. But even with our vast experience with Songkran and Loy Krathong, I’d say our favorite is still the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani.

The Candle Festival’s float parade is just one-of-a-kind. Imagine a parade filled with massive candle sculptures, street dance troupes, and lively marching bands—who would want to miss that kind of display?

But this procession is only a small cog in a large machine that showcases the best festivities in the Land of Smiles. Here, we’ll discuss all the details to help you understand why the amazing Candle Festival in Thailand is a must-see, so read on!

Best Time to Go to the Candle Festival in Thailand

The best time to go to the Candle Festival in Thailand is on Khao Phansa Day. There’s no specific date but it’s always celebrated after the first full moon of the 8th lunar month which also marks the start of the Candle Festival.

During this day, you’ll be able to watch the morning procession and opening ceremony. The festival is celebrated from morning to night for several days, so you’ll have to explore around Ubon Ratchathani all day long.

Things to Know

Currency: Thai Baht (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Thai (Central Thai), Isaan
Calling Code: (+66)
Location: Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Nearest Airport: Ubon Ratchathani International Airport

How to Get to the Candle Festival in Thailand

Plane: The best way to get to the Candle Festival in Thailand is to book a flight to Ubon Ratchathani International Airport. This airport is only a 6-minute drive or taxi ride to Thung Sri Mueang Park which is the main venue for the festival.

Plus, the flight from Bangkok should only take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, so this method is your fastest option.

Bus: Provincial buses from Bangkok can also take you directly to Thung Sri Mueang Park in Ubon Ratchathani City. Though it’s a cheaper option, we only recommend this if you don’t mind going on a trip that takes 9 to 13 hours.

The buses you’re looking for should be at the Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal. There are 4 bus carriers servicing Ubon Ratchathani: Nakhonchai Air, Sombat Tour, Kradueng Tour, and The Transport Company.

Train: Riding a train from Bangkok is another cheap but slow way to get to the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani. You can board a train at the Bang Sue Grand Station bound for the Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station in Warin Chamrap District.

From there, you still need to catch a 7-minute taxi ride to Thung Sri Mueang Park.

Where to Stay For the Candle Festival in Thailand

Yuu Hotel & Cafe

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Address: 179/1-4 Upparat Road, Nai Muang Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 85 614 1111
Website
Prices: ฿

Yuu Hotel & Cafe’s main draw is its convenience since it’s only 280 meters from Thung Sri Mueang Park—the festival’s main venue.

Moreover, this place provides sleek, modern rooms adorned with wall paintings and stylish wood floors. There’s also an on-site cafe and a trendy lounge area at the hotel lobby.

The hotel’s strategic location in the city’s commercial street is a plus if you like quick access to the local restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Sunee Grand Hotel

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Address: 512/8 Chayangkun Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 81 265 3388
Website
Prices: ฿฿

Sunee Grand Hotel is within a shopping complex, so staying here gives you easy access to numerous boutiques, specialty stores, and even a supermarket.

You also get a stylish room with warm-toned interiors, sleek wood furnishings, and the usual modern amenitites. There’s also the option to book a suite in case you want a spacious and separate living area.

There’s also an on-site restaurant, fitness center, spa, and convention center. In fact, the hotel’s convention center hosts the beauty pageant for the Candle Festival in Thailand which is great if you plan to watch this competition.

Centara Ubon

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Address: 355 Chaeramae, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 45 319 556
Website 
Prices: ฿฿

Centara Ubon is a stylish hotel in the west end of Ubon Ratchathani City. This mid-range hotel boasts chic and airy rooms with modern minimalist interiors.

It also has a large circular outdoor pool, a lush tropical garden with alfresco sitting, and a poolside bar. They also serve a breakfast buffet with a wide selection of Western and Asian cuisines.

Plus, the hotel is only an 11-minute drive to Thung Sri Mueang Park so you don’t have to travel far to attend the Candle Festival.

Where to Eat during the Candle Festival in Thailand

Thung Sri Mueang Park Food Stalls

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Address: Upparat Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 86 710 9768
Website 
Prices: ฿

The numerous food stalls in Thung Sri Mueang Park are perfect for foodie adventures. There, you can try a wide selection of traditional street food, sweet snacks, drinks, and more.

Adventurous foodies can also try exotic street food like deep-fried giant water bugs, grasshoppers, crickets, and scorpions. 

Don’t forget to bring plenty of cash because the stalls don’t accept card payments.

Guay Jub Ubon

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Address: 7 Promthep Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 87 074 0499
Prices: ฿

Guay Jub Ubon is a popular noodle restaurant in Ubon Ratchathani City. It’s also only a 9-minute walk from Thung Sri Mueang Park so it’s convenient if you’re looking for a quick meal.

The best-seller is their traditional guay jub, a noodle dish with the restaurant’s signature five-spice broth and pork offals—it might be a bit exotic for some but it’s worth a try!

Som Tum Jinda

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Address: 63/1 Phichitrangsan Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 45 255 223
Website
Prices: ฿฿

Som Tum Jinda stands out because of its Michelin Bib Gourmand award. The menu here focuses on traditional Isan cuisine, but it’s best known for its larb ped, a spicy minced duck salad served with fresh herbs, toasted powdered rice, and red chili flakes.

And if you like exotic flavors, try out their ice cream selection, which includes jackfruit, coconut, taro, black bean, and more.

What to See and Do at the Candle Festival in Thailand

See the Candle Festival’s procession in Ubon Ratchathani’s city center

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The morning procession on Khao Phansa Day is one of the Candle Festival’s highlights and is held after the first full moon of the 8th lunar month. It’s a lively float parade showcasing numerous intricate candle sculptures created by local artisans.

These candle floats represent local temples and institutions in Ubon Ratchathani. During the procession, you’ll also see marching bands and street dance troupes performing traditional music and dance choreographies in colorful costumes. 

It’s popular among locals and tourists, so expect a huge crowd of spectators on the side of the road. The procession starts at Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram and heads north via Upparat Road until it reaches the central square of Thung Sri Mueang Park.

Attend the festival’s opening ceremony in Thung Sri Mueang Park

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The opening ceremony in Thung Sri Mueang Park is one of the more important parts of the Candle Festival in Thailand. Going here gives you the best chance to experience Thai culture and the heartwarming community spirit of Ubon Ratchathani.

Expect to see numerous cultural performances, from classical Thai dances to lively marching bands, and traditional Mor Lam music. Plus, you’ll find numerous food stalls around the park, so you’re covered for traditional snacks and drinks as well.

There’s also a prayer ceremony and various fun games during this event. Also, this event gives you an opportunity to dance along with the traditional dance troupes and take many photos with them.

Visit the candle workshops in Ubon Ratchathani City

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The candle workshops in Ubon Ratchathani City are the busiest during the Candle Festival in Thailand. These shops are filled with local artisans working on massive and intricate candle sculptures they want to showcase during the festival.

In fact, it’s best to visit them a week or two before the festival’s candle float parade, in case you like to see how their creations are coming along. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about the candle-making process.

This includes melting the beeswax, pouring them into molds, and using a chisel to carve intricate designs. Some workshops also allow visitors to carve candles with unique designs which every tourist should definitely try at least once.

Admire the sculptures in the International sculpting contest

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The Asahna Bucha Day is an essential part of the Candle Festival in Thailand because it’s when the international sculpting contest is held at Thung Sri Mueang Park.

During this time, local and foreign artisans showcase their majestic candle sculptures. Take note of foreign contingents who also present their artwork. 

International competitors come from countries like Japan, Korea, Germany, Turkey, and more. Their candle sculptures are all displayed at the park, so you have plenty of opportunities to take photos of them.

Expect them to feature a wide range of Thai cultural designs and patterns. Also, some candle sculptures may reach up to 20 meters in height so the contest is definitely one of the more eye-catching events of the festival.

Drop by the temples participating in the Candle Festival

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Numerous temples in Ubon Ratchathani celebrate the Candle Festival, so they’re definitely worth checking out. In fact, it’s the local Buddhist temples that provide the candle floats that are showcased during the procession.

Some temples to see include Wat Chai Mongkhon, Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram, Wat Chaeng, Wat Si Pradu, and more. These places will have special candle or light decorations for the festival, so visiting them is even more worthwhile.

They also hold small processions and candle-burning ceremonies that you can attend at night.

If you’re wondering about what will happen to the candle sculptures, they’ll be on display in their respective temples for a month after the festival.

Watch the local contests held during the Candle Festival

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Aside from the international sculpting contests, you can also watch numerous fun local competitions like beauty pageants and Thai boxing matches during the Candle Festival. 

In particular, one of the most popular events during the festival’s 2024 iteration was the Miss Ubon Ratchathani beauty pageant. This contest is important because the winner will represent the province in Miss Grand Thailand.

Observe the light exhibit in Ubon Ratchathani Zoo

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The Ubon Ratchathani Zoo is well-known for its annual light exhibit during the Candle Festival. Here, you can observe stunning glow-in-the-dark exhibits with cute animal figures, floral motifs, and unique Thai patterns.

You’ll also see colorful hanging lights and neon guide lights on the floor which makes exploring the exhibit more fun. They also have a light show and numerous cultural performances for guests like live music and traditional Thai folk dances.

Afterward, you can explore their night safari, where you can observe nocturnal animals in their natural habitats.

Check out the Candle Festival’s night parade

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A trip to see the Candle Festival won’t be complete without checking out its iconic night parade. It’s the final event, so there’s another candle float parade, dazzling light show, traditional dance and music show, and more.

During this event, the winning temple for the float parade will also be announced so be sure to stay until the end. It’s also the last time all the candle floats will be in the same area before they’re back at their temples.

They usually end the event by briefly turning off the lights at the park, so don’t be surprised when this happens.

FAQs about the Candle Festival in Thailand

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