Songkran Water Festival

Categories:: Cultural
Tags:: Buddhist Cultural Holidays Hindu
Where:: Thailand
Date change rule:: Every April 13
Holiday emoji:: 💦

The Songkran Water Festival splashes down every April 13, extending through April 15, marking the traditional Thai New Year. This vibrant three-day celebration is renowned for its exhilarating water fights, ceremonial cleansing, and visits to temples for merit-making. Join millions in Thailand and Southeast Asia to embrace new beginnings, honor elders, and enjoy the world’s wettest party.

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Expected Songkran Water Festival Deals

While specific 2027 promotions are yet to be announced, the Songkran Water Festival reliably sparks a wave of travel and hospitality deals. Expect airlines like Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways to offer discounted fares to popular destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Major hotel chains including Minor International (Anantara, Avani) and Centara Hotels & Resorts often roll out special packages with perks like complimentary breakfast or festival-themed activities. Retailers like Central Group and The Mall Group typically feature sales on waterproof gear, summer apparel, and beauty products. Additionally, local businesses, from street food vendors to tour operators, will have special offerings. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 13 approaches.

Platform Guide for Songkran Water Festival

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #Songkran. Film your most epic water fight moments or showcase traditional Thai New Year greetings.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SongkranWaterFestival. Share vibrant photos of celebrations, temple visits, and delicious Thai food.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #ThaiNewYear. Create a community event for local Thai celebrations or share cultural insights.

Songkran Water Festival Hero

Phra Mae Thorani

Phra Mae Thorani is the earth goddess in Buddhist mythology, revered in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand. She is often depicted wringing water from her hair, symbolizing the earth's fertility and the cleansing power of water. During Songkran, her imagery connects to the festival's themes of purification, renewal, and the life-giving properties of water, essential for agricultural prosperity in the new year.

History of Songkran Water Festival

Months after the rest of the world has celebrated and gotten over the New Year festivities, the people of Thailand usher in their traditional New Year with the most interesting ways of celebration. Songkran is a national holiday in Thailand that marks and celebrates the start of a new year in the Buddhist calendar. This is also the time when the sun moves from the Pisces zodiac sign to Aries. This day is not just a cultural affair for the people, but also a historical and religious observance that presents an opportunity for a fresh start.

According to Buddhist scripture, it all began with the death of sage Kapila Brahma, who was beheaded after losing a bet with a child called Thammabal. Every year thereafter, when the sun entered Aries, one of his children and accompanying angels would perform a procession that included different postures that have now become part of the lunisolar calendar. This procession was known as Maha Songkran to distinguish it from other zodiac movements around the sun.

The word ‘Songkran’ means ‘transformation’ or ‘change,’ and is a definition the people of Thailand take literally when celebrating the festival. It marks an opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings, and throughout the three days, observations are tailored to that effect. The first day, Maha Songkran, is celebrated by the cleaning of homes and public spaces, pouring of scented water onto the bodies of Buddha figurines, as well as the beginning of water-throwing festivities. Following that is ‘Wan Nao,’ which is celebrated through merit-making activities like offerings to monks and temples, and visiting the elderly. The final day of the celebration is New Year’s Day itself, and is reserved for further offerings, solemn reflection, and other events around good luck rituals.

Songkran Water Festival timeline

700 B.C. — 600 B.C.

The Tradition Begins

Kapila Brahma lives during this period, and his death is traditionally said to mark the beginning of the Songkran festival.

1888

A Change in Date

The New Year's celebration in Thailand is moved to April 1.

1940

Two Reasons to Celebrate

The New Year date is moved officially to January 1, with the traditional holiday, Songkran, declared as a national holiday.

2018

An Extension of Festivities

The Thai government officially extends the holiday to five days, from April 12 to April 16, to accommodate travel.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Songkran Water Festival

Local businesses in Thailand and beyond can embrace Songkran by offering special promotions on travel packages, waterproof accessories, or traditional Thai cuisine. Restaurants might feature authentic New Year’s dishes, while hotels can organize cultural workshops or water-friendly activities for guests. Consider sponsoring community water stations or participating in local parades to engage with the festive spirit and attract customers.

Songkran Water Festival FAQs

When is Songkran Water Festival?

Songkran 2027 will be observed from Tuesday, April 13, to Thursday, April 15. The festival’s fixed dates ensure a consistent celebration each year.

How many people celebrate Songkran?

The Songkran Water Festival draws an estimated 500,000 international visitors to Thailand annually, in addition to millions of domestic travelers who return home for the holidays, making it a truly massive celebration.

What is the significance of water in Songkran?

Beyond the fun of water fights, the ritualistic use of water during Songkran has deep roots in Buddhist traditions, representing cleansing, blessing, and fertility. It’s a way to pay respect and bring good fortune for the coming year.

What are the traditions of Songkran?

The festival kicks off with ‘Maha Songkran’ (April 13) for cleaning, followed by ‘Wan Nao’ (April 14) for preparing food and offerings, and culminates on ‘Wan Payawan’ (April 15), the official New Year’s Day, with temple visits and water blessings.

Songkran Water Festival Activities

Have a water fight
The people of Thailand celebrate this day with nationwide water fights. If you find yourself in the country during this period, prepare to get soaked, and make sure you dress up with that in mind. However, if you aren’t in the area, today will be a nice day to gather your friends and family around for a friendly game of water fighting. Get your armor ready — water guns, balloons, and buckets — and get ready to battle.
Visit a Buddhist temple
Regardless of how fun and exciting this holiday may seem, it is also very spiritual and religious for many. One of the main goals of this holiday is merit-making which is done by visiting temples to offer food and other offerings to monks, giving alms, and self-reflection. Take some time out in these three days to visit a Buddhist temple closest to you and meditate on the year ahead.
Put on a clay mask
‘Wai’ is a mixture made from clay, specifically white talcum powder and water, and applying it is one of the ways to celebrate Songkran. During this period, on the streets of Thailand, you would observe a lot of people, particularly children, who have parts of their bodies covered in clay. They also make it a mission to get everyone in on the action by putting some on you and wishing you a happy new year. You can participate from the comfort of your home by including some skin-friendly clay masks in your beauty routine today.

5 Facts About The Songkran Water Festival

It ushers in the rainy season
The Songkran Water Festival also marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season.
White strings are of value
Tying white strings on each other’s wrists and reciting a prayer is an expression of good wishes.
Night and day are equal
During Songkran, the sun enters Aries and the length of night and day becomes equally split and is known in Thai culture as the supreme cycle.
There’s a pageant
The crowning of Mr and Miss Songkran is an important part of the Songkran celebrations.
Not all water is acceptable
The rules of the Songkran celebration prohibit the use of dirty and ice-cold water.

Why We Love Songkran Water Festival

It’s a double celebration
As we mentioned earlier, the official date for the new year in Thailand was moved to January 1, which is the same date when most of the world celebrates. However, this has done nothing to alter the significance of Songkran as it is still celebrated as a national holiday. This presents two reasons to celebrate, and offers double the fun!
It’s a fun holiday
Songkran Water Festival is a fun holiday. This nationwide public holiday is packed with exciting and interesting activities that everyone can be a part of, and what’s more exciting is that it lasts for three whole days!
It’s a chance for a water fight
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned water fight? No matter how old we get, we never get too old to have some fun with water, and that’s what makes this holiday so much fun. It gives us a unique opportunity to make a splash and relive our childhood memories.