Loy Krathong is one of the main Thai festivals and is celebrated to honor the Goddess of the river. If you are planning to visit Thailand in November, this vibrant celebration shouldn't be missed. In Thailand, Loy Krathong festival is held every year on the full moon night in November and this year the Loy Krathong Day is on 11th November 2019. River Festival 2019 is part of Loy Krathong Festival celebrations that will be held in Bangkok.
This unique cultural celebration of River Festival 2019 will continue for 3 days and 3 nights, from 9 - 11 Nov 2019. During the festival everyone can experience nighttime merit making and Krathong floating ceremonies as well as immerse into Thai culture with the riverside communities.
What is River Festival?
River Festival is an event related to celebration of the annual Thai festival called Loy Krathong Festival. This year River Festival comes with the theme “River Consonance”.
Of course, this year is back even greater than before as it is expanding the event area into 10 main piers of Contemporary Culture in Bangkok. The venues taking part in the festival and activities are listed below.
1. Wat Pho
Highlight: Auspiciousness at Night time
Activities:
- Paying Respects to the Reclining Buddha
- Replica of the Buddha's Footprint Lighting Ceremony
- Candlelight Floating
- Community Market
- The Coronation of King Rama X Exhibition
- Bodhi Tree Lighting Installation
- Thai Music & Dance Performances from Locals
- Contemporary Music Performance
- Traditional Cultural Performances
2. Tha Maharaj
Highlight: Shop and Sample Great Food along the Iconic Chao Phraya River
Activities:
- DIY Krathong Buffet
- Live Jazz & Chill Music
- Admiring the Best Night Views of Chao Phraya River
- Food & Thai Desserts Stalls
- Krathong Floater
- Night Retro Swing Dance (9-11 Nov)
3. Wat Rakhang
Highlight: For the Fame and Glorious Life
Activities:
- Paying Respects to Luang Phor Rub-Fah
- Paying Respects to Luang Phor Toh
- Paying Respects to Wat Rakang Stupa
- Paying Respects to Taksin the Great
- Visit Phra Tamnak Daeng (Red House)
- Miss Loy Krathong Beauty Contest
- Krathong Floating
- Riverside Community Market
- Thai-styled Outdoor Cinema from BAB
- Thai Music & Dance Performances from Locals
- Contemporary Music Performance
- Traditional Cultural Performances
4. Wat Arun
Highlight: For a Happy and Prosperous Life
Activities:
- Prayer Procession
- Candlelight Procession
- Krathong Floating
- Blessing from Luang Por Roong Arun
- Riverside Community Market
- Traditional Thai Flower Arrangement & Decoration
- DIY Workshop of Thai Flower Arrangement
- Thai Music & Dance Performances from Locals
- Contemporary Music Performance
- Traditional Cultural Performances
5. Wat Kalaya
Highlight: Blissful Life by the Grace of Luang Phor Toh
Activities:
- Paying Respects to Luang Phor Sam Por Kong
- Merit Making for Prosperity
- Praying with Auspicious Red Candles
- Krathong Floating
- Riverside Community Market
- Lanterns of Happiness Lighting Installation
- Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration
- Chinese Lion Dance from Wat Kalaya Community
- Thai Music & Dance Performances from Locals
- Contemporary Music Performance
- Traditional Cultural Performances
6. Wat Prayoon
Highlight: Sacred Buddha’s Relics Ceremony for an Auspicious Life
Activities:
- Paying Respects to Principal Buddha Image
- Paying Respects to Buddha’s Relics
- Paying Respects to Luang Phor Phuttha Nak Noi
- Dhamma Talks by Phra Bhramapundit
- Paying Respects to the Hindu Goddess Ganga
- Lighting Ceremony to Pay Respect to Buddha’s Relics
- Riverside Community Market
- Krathong Floating
- Red Pigs Papermarche Art Installation
- “Look-Toong” or Thai Folk Songs Singing Contest
- Thai Music & Dance Performances from Locals
- Contemporary Music Performance
- Traditional Cultural Performances
7. Yodpiman River Walk
Highlight: Take a Stroll Back into Time
Activities:
- Admiring the Views of Chao Phraya River at Night
- Shops and Food Stalls
- 24-Hour Flower Market
- Krathong Floater
- Free Shuttle Boat Interchange
8. Lhong 1919
Highlight: Get a Glimpse of Ancient Chinese Civilization
Activities:
- Paying Respects to the 200-Year-Old Tuptim Goddess
- Beautiful Architecture and Mural Arts
- Contemporary Jazz & Chinese Instrument Performances
- Restaurants and Food Shops
- Krathong Floater
- Spectacular Silver Dragon Dance
9. ICONSIAM
Highlight: Immerse yourself into this latest city of wonder that brings together all aspects of unrivalled Thai wisdoms and presents the cultural heritage of the 4 main regions of Thailand. Located at Level G, ICONSIAM.
Activities:
- Sook Somwang: Make a Wish & Krathong Floating
- Sook Suebsan: Preserve Thai Loy Krathong Culture
- Sook Sanook: Local Thai Performances from 4 Regions
- Sook Sampan: Miss Loy Krathong Contest
- Sook Sangsan: SOOKSIAM Local Heroes Awards
10. Asiatique The Riverfront
Highlight: From the former port of East Asiatic to the first and the largest night-lifestyle venue riverfront
Activities:
- Thai Temple Fun Fair
- Mini Krathong Floating Pond
- Contemporary Music Performances
- DIY Krathong-Making
- Thai Temple Fair Games
- Community and Food Stalls
- Krathong Floater
- Mini Concert from Renowned Singers (9-11 Nov)
- Cultural Performances
- Contemporary Music Performances
- Concert from Renown Universities
- Presentation
- Mini Concert from Renowned Singers (9-11 Nov)
More information about the venue: Asiatique the Riverfront.
Opening Hours
River Festival 2019 will be celebrated on 9-11 November 2019, from 17:00 to 22:30
How to get there?
Free Shuttle Boat
There will be a free shuttle boat throughout 10 piers of Contemporary Culture. You can get on the free shuttle boat at any of these piers, just choose the nearest to you.
Route 1: R1 – R7
Tha Tien Pier - Wat Pho > Tha Maharaj Pier > Wat Rakhang Pier > Wat Arun Pier > Wat Kalaya Pier > Wat Prayoon Pier > Yodpiman River Walk Pier
Departure every 20 minutes
Route 2: R7 - R10
Yodpiman River Walk Pier > Lhong1919 > ICONSIAM Pier > Asiatique The Riverfront Pier
Departure every 30 minutes
Cross River Ferry Service
Those who don’t want to wait for complimentary shuttle boats can use a paid cross river ferry service on the following routes:
- Yodpiman Rivar Walk Pier - Wat Kalaya Pier
- Wat Arun Pier - Tha Thein Pier (Wat Pho)
- Maharaj Pier - Wang Lang Pie
- Asiatique Pier - Saphan Taksin Pier
- Tha Chang Pier - Wat Rakhang Pier
For more information about using cross river ferries in Bangkok check: Bangkok Cross River Ferries.
