Date: 30 September – 8 October 2027 – Naklua and Lan Pho Park, Pattaya, Thailand
Pattaya Vegetarian Festival
Every year, during the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, Pattaya's Thai-Chinese community celebrates the Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival or Jay Festival. For nine days, from 30 September to 8 October 2027, the district of Naklua, in North Pattaya, comes alive with shrine ceremonies, colourful processions and, above all, vegetarian food.
The festival takes place at the same time as the famous Vegetarian Festival celebrated across Thailand, and offers visitors a chance to discover a more traditional and spiritual side of Pattaya.
Nine Days of Faith and Tradition
During the festival, devotees follow a strict vegetarian diet to purify body and mind, and many dress in white. Ceremonies are held at the Chinese shrines of Naklua, with incense, candles and offerings to welcome the gods.
Highlights include dragon and lion dances and a procession of the gods through the streets of Naklua to Lan Pho Park, accompanied by drums, gongs and firecrackers.
A Feast of Vegetarian Food
Food is at the heart of the celebration. Stalls around Naklua and Lan Pho Market offer a huge choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes, from noodles and curries to Chinese-style snacks and desserts. Look for the yellow flags with red lettering: they mark stalls and restaurants serving festival food.
The festival is also known for large-scale community cooking, with giant pans of vegetarian noodles prepared and shared with thousands of visitors.
Why attend?
Discover a traditional Thai-Chinese festival in the heart of North Pattaya.
Watch dragon and lion dances and a colourful procession of the gods.
Taste a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan street food.
Experience a cultural and spiritual side of Pattaya beyond the beaches.
Good to Know
The festival is a religious event for the local community. Wearing white is a welcome sign of respect, and it is good to stay discreet around shrines and ceremonies. Processions can be noisy, with drums and firecrackers, and the streets of Naklua get very busy, so arriving early is the best way to enjoy the atmosphere.
Make the Most of Your Trip to Pattaya
Late September and October are a quieter time of year in Pattaya, perfect for discovering the city at your own pace. Our local guides can help you plan your stay:
Best Things to Do in Pattaya — temples, landmarks and cultural experiences
Best Beaches in Pattaya — from Jomtien Beach to Koh Larn, for a day by the sea
Where to Stay for the Vegetarian Festival
Whether you come as a couple, with family or with a group of friends, a private pool villa is a comfortable base to explore Pattaya and its festivals. It gives everyone their own room, a fully equipped kitchen to prepare your own vegetarian meals and a pool to relax by after a busy day in Naklua.
PATTAYA LAND offers a selection of private pool villas in Soi Pattaya Land, near Walking Street, with different capacities to suit couples, families and groups of friends. For larger groups, several nearby villas may be booked together, subject to availability.
Nine days, a thousand flavours, all your favourite people. You Only Live Once.
Discover our Pattaya Pool Villas
Dates follow the Chinese lunar calendar and change every year. Programme may be subject to change by the organisers.