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48 places · 5 eventsShowing the first 48 — add another word to narrow it down.

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Songkran (Thai New Year Water Festival)Thailand's New Year, 13-15 April every year, turns Samui into a three-day island-wide water fight centred on Chaweng Beach Road, with temple ceremonies behind the party. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, fixed on 13-15 April regardless of weekday. On Samui it combines genuine tradition - morning merit-making, bathing Buddha images, and pouring water on elders' hands at temples such as Wat Plai Laem and Wat Phra Yai - with the famous public water fights. Chaweng Beach Road is the main battle zone from late morning to evening; Lamai, Nathon and Fisherman's Village have lighter celebrations. Pickup trucks with water tanks patrol the streets and everyone is a target. It is free to join. In 2026 Samui's festivities ran roughly 10-15 April with the main day on 13 April; the same fixed dates apply in 2027. Safety notes: Songkran week has Thailand's worst road accident statistics (scooters especially), ATMs can run low, and anything not waterproof will get soaked. When: 13-15 April every year (fixed dates). 2026: Mon 13 - Wed 15 April; 2027: 13-15 April. Island celebrations often start a few days early (from ~10 April in Chaweng). • Waterproof pouch for phone and cash is essential; leave your passport at the hotel • Avoid riding scooters during Songkran week - wet roads plus peak accidents • Do not splash monks, the elderly, or people who clearly opt out • Book accommodation weeks ahead; songthaews are hard to flag mid-afternoon
Chinese New Year on SamuiSamui's old Hainanese community celebrates Chinese New Year with lion dances, firecrackers and shrine ceremonies - centred on Maenam's Chinese temple, Nathon and Hua Thanon. Next: 6 February 2027. Thanks to its Hainanese settler roots, Chinese New Year is a genuine community festival on Samui, not just a hotel event. The main public celebrations centre on the Chinese temple in Maenam, with lion and dragon dances, firecrackers, street stalls and beachside events; Nathon's Hainan Shrine hosts smaller, traditional ceremonies (some sources note Phuket-style piercing rituals at the Nathon shrine - be prepared), and Hua Thanon's Guan Yu shrine also celebrates. The date follows the Chinese lunar calendar, falling in late January or February: 17 February 2026 (Year of the Horse, already passed at research date) and 6 February 2027. It is not a Thai public holiday, but the week brings a visitor surge from China, Hong Kong and Singapore on top of high season. When: Chinese lunar calendar, late Jan-Feb. 2026: 17 February (passed). 2027: 6 February. • Maenam is the family-friendly option; Nathon ceremonies can include intense rituals (piercing) - not for the squeamish • Book accommodation early: CNY week overlaps peak season demand • Celebrations run over several days; the temple parade typically starts mid-afternoon
Lamai Night Plaza (daily)The permanent nightly souvenir-and-food plaza on Lamai Beach Road, with live music and sports screens — the southeast coast's any-night option.
Fisherman's Village Walking Street (Friday)The island's flagship market, every Friday year-round: the Fisherman's Village beach road pedestrianises for crafts, seafood, cocktail stalls, live music and Muay Thai demos.
ARKbar Fire ShowSamui's signature fire show on Chaweng Beach, every night from about 20:00 to midnight. Free to watch from the public beach. It usually runs in any weather short of a storm.