The Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Tesagan Gin Je) is one of the island's big events of the year: nine days in October when Phuket's Sino-Thai community abstains from meat and honours the Nine Emperor Gods. The streets of Phuket Town fill with yellow flags, vegetarian food stalls, spirit-medium processions and firecrackers. It is impressive and sometimes disturbing: the rituals include piercings and firewalking.
Highlights
The 2026 dates
The festival runs from 10 to 18 October 2026, with the Go Teng pole raised on the evening of 9 October; the closing is on the night of 18 to 19 October. The date changes every year with the Chinese lunar calendar (ninth month): check next year's before booking.
The processions
Each shrine holds its own spirit-medium processions, with times announced late in September; the main ones are the Jui Tui Temple and the Bang Neow Shrine. Parades often start early in the morning.
The food
During the festival, hundreds of stalls serve vegetarian dishes (recognisable by the yellow flags). It is the best time to eat vegetarian in Phuket. The festival's origins are still debated between sources.
Practical info
Tips
- Wear white if you want to take part and respect the rules (no meat, alcohol or some animal products). Do not photograph entranced people up close without watching first, and keep your distance from firecrackers: children and sensitive people may find the spectacle shocking. Book accommodation in Phuket Town in advance. Visit Wat Chalong to compare with a Buddhist temple. The dates come from the local press (Pattaya Mail, Phuket101); procession times are announced by the shrines.
How to get there
The main shrines are in Phuket Town: Jui Tui Temple in the Old Town, Bang Neow Shrine on Phuket Road. From the beaches, take a taxi or Grab early, as traffic is heavy and some streets are closed. See the transport guide.
Opening hours
Nearby
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