Next: 13 to 15 Apr 2027
Songkran
The Thai new year: first a gentle pour of water on the hands of elders, then three days of street water fights.
When is Songkran in 2027?
Songkran 2027 runs from 13 to 15 April 2027. Other years: 2026, 13 to 15 April 2026; 2028, 13 to 15 April 2028.
About Songkran
Songkran, from a Sanskrit word for "passing", marks the sun's entry into Aries and the traditional new year in Thailand. The festival is for cleaning houses, bathing Buddha images and pouring scented water on the hands of elders to receive their blessing. In towns, the gentle rite grew into a joyful, nation-wide water fight, in which people throw buckets and shoot water pistols at friends and passers-by. Families return to their home villages, make merit at temples, build sand pagodas in the temple grounds, and release fish and birds. In Chiang Mai the celebration lasts for a week. Laos celebrates Pi Mai, Cambodia has Choul Chnam Thmey and Myanmar Thingyan.
Songkran dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Songkran date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 to 15 April 2026 |
| 2027 | 13 to 15 April 2027 |
| 2028 | 13 to 15 April 2028 |
What is eaten
- khao chae
- kanom jeen
- mango sticky rice
Traditions of Songkran
Also part of it, and being written: Water festival (The wider family of water festivals of the region.), Rod nam dam hua (The pouring of water on elders' hands.).
More marked on Songkran
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Songkran" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.