From the 1st to the 9th night of the waxing moon in the Chinese calendar (usually between September and November), Phuket comes alive with the Vegetarian Festival — a special time for purity, spiritual cleansing, and community celebration. The festival is known for its colourful parades, lively rituals, and breathtaking fire walking ritual that draw crowds from around the world. During this lively week, the streets fill with energy, the air carries the scent of delicious vegetarian dishes, and the island feels more alive than ever. Jungceylon Phuket joins the Vegetarian Festival by supporting the local community through donations to the shrine and providing drinking water to participants in the Ma Song Street Procession in Phuket Town.

About Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival

Image via National Geographic Website

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is one of the island’s most important and spiritual events. It began in the early 19th century at Kathu shrine when a group of Chinese opera performers in Phuket fell ill during a malaria outbreak. They followed Taoist beliefs and adopted a strict vegetarian diet to purify their minds and bodies, praying for recovery. When they got better, locals believed their faith and discipline had healed them — and so, the tradition began.

Rooted in Taoist customs, the festival honours the Nine Emperor Gods and celebrates purity, merit-making, and renewal. During this time, people avoid meat, alcohol, and strong-smelling vegetables to cleanse both body and spirit. The festival is deeply connected to Phuket’s Chinese-Thai community and reflects values of faith, discipline, and devotion.

The celebration lasts for nine days, usually in late September or October, depending on the lunar calendar. In 2025, it will take place from October 21 to 29.

Visitors can expect to see and experience:

• Street processions with devotees dressed in white symbolise purity.
• Fire-walking and self-piercing rituals that show spiritual strength and belief
• Nightly ceremonies at local shrines filled with incense, chanting, and firecrackers
• Traditional music and performances that create an unforgettable atmosphere

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is more than a celebration — it’s a living tradition that brings locals and visitors together in faith, culture, and community spirit.

What makes the festival unique?

Image via Franzy from Trip Advisor

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival stands out for its powerful rituals and unforgettable sights. People wear white clothes to show purity and avoid meat, alcohol, and other strong foods as part of their devotion. The most famous moments are the fire-walking and body-piercing ritual. During these events, spiritual mediums called Ma Song enter trance-like states and perform incredible acts such as:

• Walking barefoot over hot coals
• Climbing ladders made of sharp blades
• Piercing their cheeks, tongues, or bodies with metal objects

These dramatic rituals show strong faith and are believed to bring protection and blessings to the community.

The main activities take place at Phuket’s most respected shrines, especially in Phuket Town. Some of the key shrines include:

• Jui Tui Shrine on Ranong Road
• Bang Neow Shrine on Phuket Road
• Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine on Krabi Road
• Kathu Shrine on Waichitsongkram Road 

Processions move through the streets of the old town, passing beautifully decorated shrines and historic buildings. The sound of drums, gongs, and firecrackers fills the air, while incense smoke and burning camphor add to the festival’s strong spiritual mood. Lanterns, colourful flags, and paper decorations line the streets, creating a lively, powerful atmosphere that captures the essence of Phuket’s culture and faith.

Photo via Jungcelyon

Vegetarian food highlights

Food plays a big part in the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, and it’s all about what locals call “Jay food”. This is a special kind of vegan cuisine that follows strict rules to keep the body and mind pure. Jay food contains no meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, strong-smelling vegetables, and it avoids any strong-smelling vegetables or stimulants. Everything is plant-based and cooked in a clean, simple way that still tastes full of flavour.

Some favourite Jay dishes include:

• Mee Pad Jay – stir-fried noodles with kale and soy sauce
• Mock meats made from soy or mushrooms
• Tofu stir-fries with tasty sauces
• Thai desserts made without any animal products

During the festival, Phuket’s streets come alive with food stalls and vendors offering endless Jay options. The busiest area is Ranong Road near Jui Tui Shrine, which turns into a long stretch of yellow-flagged stalls selling food from morning until late at night.

Many local restaurants also switch to Jay menus during this time. The mix of flavours, colours, and aromas creates a lively street food scene that captures the true spirit of the festival — community, celebration, and compassion through food.

Tips for visitors

Image via Elite Heavens Webiste

Visitors to the Phuket Vegetarian Festival are encouraged to wear white clothing as a symbol of purity and respect. While it’s not strictly required for tourists, wearing white helps you fit in and show respect, especially when visiting temples or shrines. Dressing modestly with long sleeves and trousers is also recommended to stay safe from firecracker debris.

Here are some helpful tips for festival visitors:

• Avoid alcohol, meat, and stimulants during the festival.
• Stay hydrated, as outdoor ceremonies can be hot.
• Carry earplugs or a face mask to protect from loud firecrackers and incense smoke.
• Follow temple rules and be respectful when taking photos or joining crowds.

Visit Jungceylon Phuket during the Vegetarian Festival

Jungceylon shopping center is a great place to visit during the Vegetarian Festival, especially for those who want to enjoy good food in a relaxed setting. Located in the heart of Patong, it’s one of Phuket’s most popular shopping and entertainment centres. During the festival, many restaurants and cafés here join in the celebration by offering special Jay menus filled with delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Visitors can enjoy:

• Healthy noodle bowls packed with fresh vegetables and grains
• Thai-Japanese fusion meals with creative flavours
• Cold-pressed juices and smoothies for a refreshing boost
• Plant-based dishes that are tasty, colourful, and satisfying

After watching the street procession and temple ceremonies, visitors can relax, dine, or shop — all in one place. Jungceylon Phuket blends the spirit of the Vegetarian Festival with comfort, flavour, and fun, making it a must-visit stop during this special time.

The atmosphere at Jungceylon is lively yet comfortable, making it a perfect place to take a break from the festival’s busy streets while still soaking up the festive mood. To explore the full list of restaurants and cafés, visit the Jungceylon Dining Page.

Apart from food, Jungceylon offers plenty to explore:

• Shopping at boutique stores, fashion outlets, cosmetic and local craft stalls
• Entertainment including cinemas, live performances, and fun zones for families
• Souvenirs and gifts for those who want to bring a piece of the festival home

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a lively celebration of faith and culture, filling the island with colour and energy. During this special time, Jungceylon Phuket joins the festival by supporting the local community, donating to the shrine, and providing drinking water to participants in the Ma Song parade in Phuket Town.

Experience the spirit of the festival and enjoy holiday time at Jungceylon Phuket.