You may know Phuket as a tropical haven with stunning beaches and a fun nightlife, but there’s much more to this Thai island, which springs to life through its many cultural events and festivals.
Phuket’s Culture and Festivals
It’s the largest island of Thailand. As great as its geographical dimensions are, so too is its rich cultural heritage.
When people say that a destination is a melting pot of traditions, you have to take it with a grain of salt, but Phuket truly is a blend of traditions, past influences, and modern-day conventions.
It’s remarkable to see how the locals take all these in their stride and incorporate them into their many annual celebrations and festivals. These festivals are a celebration of culture, and there are many that take place throughout the year, painting every corner of Phuket with vibrant colours, delightful chatter, and merriment.
Phuket has a reputation for being a party destination. While that’s definitely true, it’s equally true that the island caters to families, especially with its cultural festivals.
Best Time to Visit for Cultural Exploration of Phuket
There’s always something exciting happening in Phuket. No matter when you visit, you’ll find something fun and meaningful to do.
That said, most travellers would tell you to visit during the dry season from November to February to benefit from sunny skies and low humidity. Temperatures are quite cooler during these months, which works well for someone not used to hot and humid weather. This time of the year also ties in with various cultural festivals.
While choosing the right time to visit is definitely something you should do, remember that Phuket is a year-round destination and therefore can be visited any time you like.
It’s not like a bit of rain is going to melt you, is it? Also, what’s a bit of heat when you can enjoy many discounts on activities and reduced accommodation rates?!
Places to Stay for Families
The delights of Phuket are not only for the well-to-do; the island is visited by backpackers with tighter pockets as well as those with a bit of money to spare.
Guesthouses? Yes, you can find them. What about a place that doesn’t break the bank but offers a good set of amenities? You can find it too! Suites in Phuket with a leaning towards five-star luxury and comfort? Check out Anantara Mai Khao Phuket.
Now, onto the best bits!
Phuket Old Town Festival
A major festival on the island, the Phuket Old Town Festival unfolds in February, but there’s no specific date to speak of.
Phuket Old Town is a place that encapsulates the island’s historical, cultural, and architectural charm. During the festival, the town transforms into a carnival of sorts, with art, dance performances, and live music taking place all over the area. What’s more, you can enjoy a variety of truly authentic Thai food too.
The colonial-era buildings of the town host art exhibitions for the festival. Not only can you admire the architectural wonders of the town, but you can also enjoy its artistic side.
Songkran
Also called the Water Festival, Songkran takes place in April. As the name suggests, the festival involves water.
While it’s an event that’s a bit rambunctious, Songkran marks the beginning of the Thai New Year. Splashing water at each other is actually meant to wash away the impurities and bad luck of the previous year, welcoming the new year with purity, joy, and cheer.
There’s also a spiritual aspect to all this, which can be seen at temples.
Por Tor Festival
If you visit Phuket in August, you can witness the Por Tor Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival.
The focus of the festival is honouring the deceased or ancestors. Locals believe that the time of the festival is when the hungry ghosts return to the world looking for food and comfort. So, they host elaborate feasts at temples in the hopes of satiating these ghosts.
Parades are a colourful feature of the festival – locals get together and carry food, candles, and incense to temples around the island.
Not only is Por Tor a cultural event, but also an occasion that brings families and friends together.
Vegetarian Festival
Another interesting Thai festival in Phuket is the Vegetarian Festival. Held in October, this festival isn’t for kids. Why? Well, some of the rituals include piercing one’s skin and walking on fire.
While it sounds a bit intense, those who participate in these rituals do so to cleanse the whole community of sin by inflicting pain upon themselves and by avoiding meat for nine days.
The island also becomes a foodie haven during this time, with street vendors serving delicious vegetarian dishes.