Jackson Rocky
As one of Thailand's most popular beach holiday hubs, Hua Hin plays host to countless festivals and events throughout the year. Here are some of the seaside hamlet's not-to-miss event attractions.
Tipped to be a red letter day for all car fanatics in and around Hua Hin, the Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally is a one of a kind event that takes place between Hua Hin and the capital Bangkok. Celebrating vintage vehicles from decades past, the annual Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally takes place in the month of December when sunny weather conditions prevail over the two host cities.
Revered as one of the cultural and performance art highlights in Hua Hin's event calendar, the Hua Hin Fringe Festival is a massive performance art spectacle. The brainchild of the Patravadi Theatre, a Bangkok based avant-garde theatre house, the festival takes place in Hua Hin, Bangkok's sister city in many respects each year. As a coveted modern arts event, the Fringe Festival is a premier showcase for Hua Hin's artistic community as well. Visitors based in a Hua Hin resort such as Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa will have easy access to showcase venues of the Fringe Festival due to the hotel's strategic location.
Jazz fans heading to Hua Hin for a beach holiday should time their vacation to coincide with the iconic Hua Hin Jazz Festival. Having taken place for over a decade, the highly successful celebration of Jazz takes place during the month of June. Held on the first weekend of the month, the three day long festival brings the region's best jazz acts since the first Hua Hin Jazz Festival was hosted in 2002.
Often dubbed the most colourful and culturally significant event in Thailand's calendar, Songkran celebrations also reach a fever pitch in Hua Hin come April. Marking the dawn of the Thai New Year, this water festival takes over the streets and communities of Hua Hin from the 13th of April to the 15th in grand style. Celebrated with water fights and other cultural items, the highly auspicious occasion also brings with it its own seasonal food varieties and ancient customs.
Boating and sailing enthusiasts occupying resort hubs in Hua Hin should not miss the chance to witness the town's hottest yachting event, the Hua Hin Regatta. As a fierce competition that welcomes over 300 serious competitors from all across Thailand, this one f a kind regatta takes place in the month of August when sailing conditions are ideal. Classed under various categories the contest is one of the most prized yachting events in Thailand's calendar.
Come the month of March there isn't a soul in Hua HIn who is not looking forward to the annual kite festival. Blessed with strong gusts of wind blowing from the Gulf of Thailand, the popular local festival takes place at the ground of the King Rama IV Army Camp each year to the delight of locals and tourists alike.
Taking place in the month of November every year, the Hua Hin Loy Krathong is a cultural melee held on the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar.
