Krabi Events: Night Markets and Festivals
Krabi’s best shows happen on the street, and most of them are free. A school dance troupe on a market stage, a fire spinner on the beach, a river full of candlelit flower baskets: where you see them depends on whether you base yourself in Krabi Town or in Ao Nang, so choose your evenings accordingly.
Krabi Town: the weekend walking street
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 17:00 to 22:00, Maharaj Soi 8 closes to traffic and becomes the town’s open-air night out. Dozens of stalls sell southern Thai curries, grilled seafood skewers and coconut pancakes, at around ฿50 to ฿100 a dish. A central stage hosts live acoustic sets and folk performances, often by local school dance troupes.
Verdict: this is the best evening entertainment in the province, and it costs only what you eat. Krabi Town is 17 km inland from Ao Nang, and a songthaew costs about ฿60 per person, so check how late they run before you rely on one for the ride back. Staying a night in town makes it easy, and you can search Krabi Town hotels on Booking.com for places within walking distance.
Ao Nang: night markets and fire shows
On the beach side, the Ao Nang night markets along Nopparat Thara, including the Landmark Night Market, fill the evenings with street food, souvenirs, live reggae bands and cocktail bars. Fire-spinning shows on the sand are the main spectacle after dark. It is louder and more tourist-focused than Krabi Town, and better if you want a drink with your show. If you want someone to guide you round the stalls, look for Krabi food tours on GetYourGuide .
Recreational cannabis use is illegal in Thailand, and the UK government safety advice for Thailand explains the current rules. Keep your night out to drinks and dinner.
Songkran: 13 to 15 April
The Thai New Year turns both Ao Nang and Krabi Town into water fights for three days. Expect to be soaked anywhere outdoors, so put your phone and passport in a waterproof pouch. Alongside the fun, temples hold merit-making ceremonies where people pour scented water over Buddha statues. Watch those quietly and keep water pistols well away.
Loy Krathong: the November full moon
On the night of the November full moon, crowds gather on Ao Nang Beach and along the Krabi River to float krathongs, decorated flower baskets carrying candles and incense, onto the water to honour the water goddess. It is free to join. The full-moon date shifts each year, so check the calendar when you book.
Planning around a festival
Festival dates can fill hotels in both bases, so book ahead. If you plan a long stay around a festival, note that the visa-exempt stay is 30 days for many nationalities, as the UK government entry requirements set out.
Read more: Krabi activities by base suggests what to do by day in Krabi Town and Ao Nang.
Tip: arrive at the Krabi Town walking street close to 17:00, when the stalls have just opened, the grills are fresh and you can still find a seat near the stage.