Visakha Bucha
In short
Visakha Bucha falls on Thursday 20 May 2027, the holiest full moon of the year.
The date for 2027
Visakha Bucha 2027 is Thursday 20 May, a public holiday. It falls on the full moon of the sixth lunar month.
Put the Doi Suthep evening and the Full Moon on one trip: the walk on Wednesday, the beach on Friday.
19 May 2027
- Day:
- Wednesday
- What happens:
- Evening walk up Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai (the eve of the holy day)
20 May 2027
- Day:
- Thursday
- What happens:
- Visakha Bucha Day: almsgiving, candle walks, shop alcohol ban
21 May 2027
- Day:
- Friday
- What happens:
- Shops sell alcohol again; Full Moon Party expected on Koh Phangan
18 Jul 2027
- Day:
- Sunday
- What happens:
- Asalha Bucha, the next holy day
What is Visakha Bucha Day?
Visakha Bucha Day marks three moments in the Buddha's life on one full moon: his birth, his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, and his death and passing into Nirvana.
Outside Thailand the same day is called Vesak, and the United Nations has recognised it since 1999.
It's the second of the three big Buddhist days of the year, after Makha Bucha in February.
- 191 days to Wednesday 19 May
- Thursday 20 May
- Evening of Wednesday 19 May, about 11 km
- Shops stop selling; licensed hotels and tourist-zone bars can serve
- From about 7 to 8pm at the temples
The candle walk
Visakha Bucha in Thailand starts with food for the monks at about 6am and ends with a candle walk around the temple after dark.
The candle walk is called wian thian. You hold a candle, three incense sticks and a lotus bud, and walk three times clockwise around the main hall. It begins about 7 to 8pm. Candle sets are sold at the gate, and some big temples hand them out free.
Wear white if you can, cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off at the hall, and keep the flash off.
AICan you drink alcohol on Visakha Bucha?
Yes, in the right place. On the Buddhist holy days, shops stop selling alcohol, but licensed hotels, international airport terminals and licensed bars and clubs in designated tourist areas can still serve, under the Office of the Prime Minister's notice (checked November 2026).
The ban runs from midnight to midnight.
So 7-Eleven won't sell beer on 20 May; buy the day before. Our Thailand nightlife laws page has the full rules. Stock the villa bar on Wednesday, and Thursday takes care of itself.
The walk up Doi Suthep
The biggest Visakha Bucha in Chiang Mai is the walk up Doi Suthep: tens of thousands of people walk about 11 km from the Khruba Srivichai Monument to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the evening before.
In 2027, that means the evening of Wednesday 19 May. The walk goes on through the dark, and monks receive alms at the Naga staircase in the morning.
It's a steep climb. Wear good shoes, carry water, and have a car waiting at the top for the ride back down.
See our Chiang Mai guide for the rest of the city.
Candle walks near Bangkok
For Visakha Bucha in Bangkok, Wat Pho holds a candle walk through its courtyards, with people carrying small potted trees as well as candles.
Wat Phra Dhammakaya, north of Bangkok, holds one of the largest ceremonies in the world, and Phra Pathommachedi in Nakhon Pathom holds another.
In Ayutthaya, go to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and get there before dark. Our Ayutthaya guide has the day trip.
What to book first
Book the car and the Full Moon beds first; the holy day sits on a Thursday, with the party expected the next evening.
- The Doi Suthep car is a luxury van for up to 4 from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, waiting at the top after the walk.
- Koh Phangan beds go fast, because the Full Moon Party is expected on Friday 21 May, the night after the holy day.
- A villa for the quiet day is a party-friendly pool villa from ฿18,500 a day.
- The Ayutthaya day trip runs in a party van for up to 10, back in Bangkok before Friday.
Plan it with Tanner, and the week is booked around the holy day.
Does the Full Moon Party move?
Yes. The Full Moon Party steps off Buddhist holy days, and the May party moves a day for Visakha Bucha.
For 2027 we expect it on Friday 21 May, and we confirm it with Haad Rin in April.
Read our Full Moon Party guide, and get your Koh Phangan beds held for Friday.
Where to spend it
Chiang Mai, if you want to see it: the Doi Suthep walk is the biggest moment of the year in the north.
- Chiang Mai has the walk on Wednesday evening, a slow Thursday and the clubs again on Friday.
- Bangkok means Wat Pho at dusk, then a licensed hotel bar.
- Ayutthaya lights candles in the ruins at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
- Koh Phangan has the Full Moon Party on Friday.
In the tourist zones, licensed hotel bars and clubs still pour. Ask Tanner for the best one near you.
After Visakha Bucha
Friday 21 May is a normal day for bars and clubs again, so plan the big evening for Friday.
Asalha Bucha, on Sunday 18 July, and Khao Phansa, the start of Buddhist Lent on Monday 19 July, are the next holy days. Both bring the same shop alcohol rules.
See the full year on our Thailand public holidays page, and plan the next trip around Asalha Bucha in July.
Why the date moves every year
Visakha Bucha follows the Thai lunar calendar, so it lands on a different Western date every year. It's always the full moon of the sixth lunar month, which puts it in May or early June.
The Full Moon Party steps around the holy days too, so one date check covers both.
Tanner's pick for a group: Chiang Mai for the walk on Wednesday, then fly south for the Full Moon on Friday. A party week like that for 12, with the villa, the cars and the tables, runs from about ฿300,000 all in.
Ask Tanner to hold the dates while the Koh Phangan beds are still there.
Visakha Bucha in short
- Date: Thursday 20 May 2027; the Doi Suthep walk is the evening before.
- What: the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, also called Vesak.
- Alcohol: shops stop selling; licensed hotels and tourist-zone bars and clubs can serve.
- Best for groups: Chiang Mai for the walk, then the Full Moon Party on Friday.
- Book first: the car for Doi Suthep and the Koh Phangan beds.
Checked October 2026.
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026
Questions
Questions groups ask about Visakha Bucha
What is Visakha Bucha Day?
Visakha Bucha Day is the holiest day in Thai Buddhism. It marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, all on the full moon of the sixth lunar month. Thais give food to monks in the morning and walk with candles around the temple after dark. Shops stop selling alcohol for the day.
When is Visakha Bucha 2027?
Visakha Bucha 2027 is Thursday 20 May, a public holiday. The shop alcohol ban runs from midnight to midnight on that day. In Chiang Mai, the walk up Doi Suthep is on the evening before, Wednesday 19 May.
Is Visakha Bucha the same as Vesak?
Yes. Vesak is the name used outside Thailand, and Visakha Bucha is the Thai name for the same full-moon day. The United Nations has recognised Vesak since 1999. The date can differ by country because lunar calendars differ.
Are bars open on Visakha Bucha Day?
Ordinary bars, shops and many restaurants stop selling alcohol on Visakha Bucha Day. Licensed hotels, international airport terminals and licensed bars and clubs in designated tourist areas can still serve, under the Prime Minister's Office notice. A hotel bar is the easy choice.
Can tourists join the Doi Suthep walk?
Yes, and it's free. Start at the Khruba Srivichai Monument in the evening, wear white or modest clothes, bring water, and plan a car back down. The walk is about 11 km uphill.
What should you wear to a Visakha Bucha candle walk?
Wear white if you have it, and cover your shoulders and knees. Take your shoes off before temple buildings, and keep your phone light and flash off during the walk. Don't cross the line of people walking.
Is Visakha Bucha a public holiday in Thailand?
Yes. Visakha Bucha Day is a national public holiday, and in 2027 it falls on Thursday 20 May. Banks and government offices close, and shops stop selling alcohol for the day.
Why does the Visakha Bucha date change every year?
It follows the Thai lunar calendar, on the full moon of the sixth lunar month. That moves the Western date each year, so it lands in May or early June.
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Sources
Credits: top photo by Photo: pwbaker / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, edited.