The Phuket Vegetarian Festival runs from 10 to 18 October 2026, during the first nine days of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Most of the street processions and shrine events take place in Phuket Town. If you are travelling to Phuket by sea, compare ferries and speedboats below and book your tickets online.
Ferry and speedboat tickets to Phuket for the festival
Most ferries and speedboats arrive at Rassada Pier in Phuket; some routes use Bang Rong or Laem Hin — your ticket shows your pier.
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket ferry (Rassada and Sea Angel piers)
- Krabi to Phuket (Rassada and Bang Rong piers)
- Ao Nang to Phuket (Rassada, Bang Rong and Laem Hin piers)
- Koh Lanta to Phuket (Rassada Pier)
Arrive on the north-east coast of Phuket (Bang Rong, Boat Lagoon and Laem Hin piers; allow time for the road to Phuket Town):
About the Phuket Vegetarian Festival
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colourful event held over a nine-day period in October, celebrating the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help them obtain good health and peace of mind.
Origins and History
Though the origins of the festival are unclear, it is commonly thought that the festival was brought to Phuket by a wandering Chinese opera group who fell ill with malaria while performing on the island. They decided to adhere to a strict vegetarian diet and pray to the Nine Emperor Gods to ensure purification of the mind and body. To everyone's amazement the opera group made a complete recovery.
The people celebrated by holding a festival that was meant to honour the gods as well as express the people's happiness at surviving what was, in the 19th century, a fatal illness. Subsequently the festival has grown and developed into a spectacular yearly event that is attended by thousands with participants flying in from China and other Asian destinations.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2026 Details
When and Where
Dates: 10–18 October 2026
Location: Phuket Town
What to Expect
The festival features vibrant street processions, traditional performances, and a wide variety of vegetarian food stalls and restaurants throughout Phuket Town. You'll witness colorful costumes, religious ceremonies, and the distinctive atmosphere that draws thousands of visitors each year. It's a unique cultural experience blending spirituality, tradition, and celebration.
