Hua hin Festivals & Events
In addition to celebrating all of Thailand's national festivals and holidays, like Loy Krathong and Songkran, the Hua Hin / Cha am region has festivals of its own worth noting.
Hua Hin Jazz Festival
June is the time of the year when 'jazz on the beach' occurs at the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival. The popular event attracts world class jazz musicians from Thailand and all over the world, including performers like Lazaro Valdes from Cuba and Bill Bruford from the UK. Stages are set up right on the beach and performances take place each evening. There are also a variety of booths set up offering everything from a chance to get your hair braided to an opportunity to buy Thai handicrafts. Sponsors offer a variety of promotions, including the chance to win valuable gifts. This is an event that encompasses all of Hua Hin and provides and opportunity to have a good time and enjoy jazz on the beach.
Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally
Hoteliers, the Vintage Car Club of Thailand, and the Tourist Authority of Thailand annually sponsor a 'parade' of vintage and classic cars starting at the Sofitel Central in Bangkok and ending in at the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. The cars, with drivers and passengers decked out in 1920's attire, make the 225km promenade in December of each year. The festivities culminate with a 1920's party at the Sofitel, which appropriately is a Victorian-style structure built in the 1920's.
Built during the reign of King Rama VI, and only a short distance from the centre of town, Hua Hin's railway station and the adjacent Royal Waiting Room are attractive and brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design, but somehow manage to have a 'Victorian' feel. Even if you don't arrive at the resort by train, go and have a look.
Kings Cup Elephant Polo
Originally played in Nepal, Elephant Polo arrived in Thailand in 2001 and is now an annual event with a certain degree of buzz surrounding it in the social calendar. Held in September within the Somdet Phra Suriyothai grounds, Hua Hin, the games take place on a football-sized pitch and are refereed by an elephant bigger than the rest of those in the game. Prior to the game starting the elephants are blessed as it is believed that at least five guardian spirits reside within each elephant. Usually consisting of 16 teams, competitors have called upon it to be granted full Olympic status.
Hua Hin International Cricket Sixes
A five-day tournament that takes place in April each year, the event is held in the grounds of the Dusit Resort. Teams comprising of former test players, celebrities and enthusiasts of the sport compete over five days in a fun and action packed test of cricket. With over 13 teams taking part from countries including Hong Kong, Australia and Thailand, the day usually begins around 08:00 and winds up at 17:30
Food Festival
Held at the end of November, Hua Hin’s food festival provides visitors with the opportunity to sample from an enormous variety of food coming from the menus of the area’s most famous restaurants and hotels. While feasting on the great food on offer you can enjoy a beer and watch the entertainment in the form of Thai cabaret featuring singers and dancers. Food contests, cooking demonstrations, fresh seafood stalls, night bazaars and raucous cabaret are the other draws for the many that frequent this popular festival in Hua Hin.
Hua Hin International Golf Festival
A must for all golf enthusiasts, the International Golf Festival takes place in August on six local courses. These include Springfield Village Golf & Spa, The Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club, Palm Hills Golf Resort and Country Club.
During this period there are numerous special events taking place, from prize draws to a ‘Ryder Cup’ style match against local golfers to discounted prices at participating courses. Other events include a longest-drive contest, free golf swing clinics with renowned golf pros, and a chance to try out, browse and buy from a wide range of specially-discounted golf products at all courses.
June is the time of the year when 'jazz on the beach' occurs at the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival. The popular event attracts world class jazz musicians from Thailand and all over the world, including performers like Lazaro Valdes from Cuba and Bill Bruford from the UK. Stages are set up right on the beach and performances take place each evening. There are also a variety of booths set up offering everything from a chance to get your hair braided to an opportunity to buy Thai handicrafts. Sponsors offer a variety of promotions, including the chance to win valuable gifts. This is an event that encompasses all of Hua Hin and provides and opportunity to have a good time and enjoy jazz on the beach.
Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally
Hoteliers, the Vintage Car Club of Thailand, and the Tourist Authority of Thailand annually sponsor a 'parade' of vintage and classic cars starting at the Sofitel Central in Bangkok and ending in at the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. The cars, with drivers and passengers decked out in 1920's attire, make the 225km promenade in December of each year. The festivities culminate with a 1920's party at the Sofitel, which appropriately is a Victorian-style structure built in the 1920's.
Built during the reign of King Rama VI, and only a short distance from the centre of town, Hua Hin's railway station and the adjacent Royal Waiting Room are attractive and brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design, but somehow manage to have a 'Victorian' feel. Even if you don't arrive at the resort by train, go and have a look.
Kings Cup Elephant Polo
Originally played in Nepal, Elephant Polo arrived in Thailand in 2001 and is now an annual event with a certain degree of buzz surrounding it in the social calendar. Held in September within the Somdet Phra Suriyothai grounds, Hua Hin, the games take place on a football-sized pitch and are refereed by an elephant bigger than the rest of those in the game. Prior to the game starting the elephants are blessed as it is believed that at least five guardian spirits reside within each elephant. Usually consisting of 16 teams, competitors have called upon it to be granted full Olympic status.
Hua Hin International Cricket Sixes
A five-day tournament that takes place in April each year, the event is held in the grounds of the Dusit Resort. Teams comprising of former test players, celebrities and enthusiasts of the sport compete over five days in a fun and action packed test of cricket. With over 13 teams taking part from countries including Hong Kong, Australia and Thailand, the day usually begins around 08:00 and winds up at 17:30
Food Festival
Held at the end of November, Hua Hin’s food festival provides visitors with the opportunity to sample from an enormous variety of food coming from the menus of the area’s most famous restaurants and hotels. While feasting on the great food on offer you can enjoy a beer and watch the entertainment in the form of Thai cabaret featuring singers and dancers. Food contests, cooking demonstrations, fresh seafood stalls, night bazaars and raucous cabaret are the other draws for the many that frequent this popular festival in Hua Hin.
Hua Hin International Golf Festival
A must for all golf enthusiasts, the International Golf Festival takes place in August on six local courses. These include Springfield Village Golf & Spa, The Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club, Palm Hills Golf Resort and Country Club.
During this period there are numerous special events taking place, from prize draws to a ‘Ryder Cup’ style match against local golfers to discounted prices at participating courses. Other events include a longest-drive contest, free golf swing clinics with renowned golf pros, and a chance to try out, browse and buy from a wide range of specially-discounted golf products at all courses.