As Bangkok gears up for Songkran, the Thai New Year celebration, the government has announced the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025,” a grand celebration where visitors will experience water-splashing events all over the country alongside modern attractions.
From April 12 to16, the city will transform into a vibrant playground of water fights, cultural performances and joyful celebrations, making it one of the most exhilarating times to visit. The Songkran festival has also been officially designated as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
During Songkran, Bangkok enjoys lighter traffic, making it an ideal time for tourists to explore the city. At the heart of the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025” celebrations is EM DISTRICT, comprising Emporium, EmQuartier and EmSphere, which will turn Sukhumvit into the ultimate entertainment hub with events and activities that showcase Thailand's best offerings.
A major highlight will be the “Thai Hussa Maha Songkran,” a grand celebration of the Songkran festival from April 12 to 14 that will feature a big water splash and street food at EmSphere. Traditional performances, Thai classical game booths and a concert will be held at Benchasiri Park next to EmSphere.
Meanwhile, the “Thaitainment Market,” hosted at EmSphere from April 3 to 20, will feature Bangkok's most famous street food vendors, a vibrant Thai-style bar and an impressive water tunnel entrance. This Instagram-worthy installation will be a major highlight for visitors.
To further enhance the experience, a “Kud Thai” event will also take place that will highlight Thailand's craftsmanship and Thai gourmet by selecting the best-in-class of each category from March 27 to April 20. Emporium's “Thai Pop Market” will feature a curated selection of Thai souvenirs, local fashion and premium Thai fruits, with visitors being able to participate in traditional craft workshops and enjoy live Thai music performances. In addition to all of this, EmQuartier's “Thai Culinary Festival,” held from April 3 to 16, will present the country's finest fruits and street food.
Finally, G-Circuit's “Songkran Gala 2.0” from April 11-14 is all set to be one of Asia's largest LGBTQIA+ festivals. Hosted at UOB Live and Tribes Sky Beach Club, EmSphere, this spectacular event will welcome over 30,000 attendees for world-class DJ performances, dazzling entertainment and an electrifying party experience.
Whether exploring Thai heritage, indulging in local delicacies or joining celebrations, Bangkok remains the ultimate destination for Songkran in 2025.
(With inputs from a press release)