18 of the best art, music and culture festivals in Bangkok and beyond this winter
The cool(er) winter breeze brings with it lots of cultural happenings. Here are our top picks to see you through till 2016.
9 years ago
AROUND BANGKOK
13TH BANGKOK THEATRE FESTIVAL
Date: Nov 3-15
Location: Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-260-2606-8. BTS National Stadium) and various other venues across Bangkok
Price: Free-B800
Lineup: Bangkok Theatre Network hosts 12 days of performances under the theme “New View, New Eyes.” This year will include over 70 performances across all genres, as well as improv workshops and post-show discussions. Highlights include adaptations of famous stories like Fantastic Mr. Fox and celebrated musicals like Little Shop of Horrors.
See the full schedule at www.bangkoktheatrefestival.com.
Credit Photo: www.goethe.de/ins/th/prj/wif/thindex.htm
SCIENCE FILM FESTIVAL
Date: Nov 3-Dec 10
Location: Nanmee Learning Center (11 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-662-3000. BTS Phrom Phong) and various other venues across Bangkok
Price: Free
Lineup: Goethe Institut holds its 11th annual festival that aims to promote science and technology through fun, entertaining film screenings. This year screens a total of 23 short films under the theme of “light” to celebrate its revolutionary role in 3D printing, modern medicine and the internet. The films cover a range of topics such as how to create your own rainbow, the development of photography, the secret behind neon signs and much more.
For the full schedule, visit bit.ly/128BfqQ
UNFOLDING KAFKA FESTIVAL
Date: Nov 12-Dec 3
Location: Various venues around Bangkok
Price: Single entry price varies across performances. The Special Festival Pass gives entry to all events (including workshops) for B1,200 or B700 for students.
Lineup: Jitti Chompee, choreographer and founder of local dance company 18 Monkeys, presents a series of collaborative art performances and installations that draw inspiration from the nightmarish writings of Franz Kafka. There will also be creative workshops and discussions. See page 28 for more.
13th WORLD FILM FESTIVAL OF BANGKOK
Date: Nov 13- 22
Location: SF Cinema (7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., BTS Chit Lom)
Price: B120/film
Lineup: Since 1998, the World Film Festival of Bangkok has screened the works of emerging and independent international filmmakers from around the world, alongside workshops, masterclasses and discussions. This year’s highlights include Kongdej Jaturanrasamee's Snap, Jakrawal Nilthamrong's Vanishing Point, Li Shih's Almost Heaven and Morshedul Islam's A Day In The Life of Anil Bagshi. See page 32 for more.
Credit Photo: www.facebook.com/thisiscatradio
CAT EXPO
Date: Nov 14-15
Location: Wonder World Fun Park (Ram Intra Rd.)
Price: B1,200 from all 7-Eleven convenience stores
Lineup: Cat Radio's annual music festival will see more than 70 acts take over four stages, with highlights like Polycat, Goose, Greasy Cafe, Proud, Inspirative, Monomania, Gym and Swim, The Parkinson, Slur, The Jukks, Yellow Fang and Young Man and the Sea. Veteran acts like Flure, Thaitanium, Paradox, Crescendo and Apartment Khun Pa will also make an appearance, along with plenty of stalls selling Thai records and handmade products.
NOISE MARKET 5
Date: Nov 21-22
Location: Museum Siam (4 Sanam Chai Rd.)
Price: Free
Lineup: The uber-popular market returns to the lawns of Museum Siam with a huge array of music performances, handmade arts and crafts stalls, home decor products, cassette and vinyl stores, pop-up book shops and food trucks. This year will also see the debut of Bangkok Underground Film Festival in the open-air amphitheater, showcasing some of the best short films from emerging local filmmakers.
Credit Photo: waterzonic.com
WATERZONIC
Date: Nov 28
Location: SCG Stadium (Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi)
Price: B2,200-B2,800
Lineup: The city’s biggest EDM-slash-water festival is back. Headlining the night will be some of the biggest names in the electronic music scene such as Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, Dannic, W&W and Goldfish and Blink. The phase 2 line up is TBA.
Credit Photo: www.facebook.com/TheRiverJazzFestival
THE RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL
Date: Nov 29
Location: Asiatique The Riverfront (2194 Charoenkrung Rd. Free ferries from BTS Saphan Taksin)
Price: B2,000-B3,000 from Thaiticketmajor
Lineup: A night of outdoor jazz music by the river from Lisa Ono, known for bringing Brazilian bossa nova music to the Japanese scene, and jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, known for their hit songs “Morning Dance” and “Shaker Song.” There will also be local support acts and plenty of food trucks such as Cactus, Forkers, Orn the Road and Deli Q.
808 FESTIVAL
Date: Dec 9
Location: BITEC Convention Center (88 Bang Na-Trat Rd. BTS Bang Na)
Price: B2,500 for earlybird. B4,600 for general admission festival combo ticket
Lineup: Another highlight for EDM fans. There’s not a lot of information right now aside from the confirmation of the headliner, Grammy-nominated DJ and producer Armin Van Buuren, listed as the World No.1 DJ five times by DJ Mag. If this year’s anything like the past two, though, you can expect plenty more big names.
OUT OF TOWN
4TH E-SAN REGGAE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Date: Nov 7
Location: E-San Kiew Island, Ban Phu Kham Bao, Ubol Ratana, Kon Gaen
Price: B300 from 085-010-7195
Lineup: Live performances from 38 reggae acts from Thailand, America, Japan and Malaysia, including Bangkok Smoke Run, Until That Day, Chekdet, GG Project, Monkey King and Sunjohn Band & Perfreedom.
Credit Photo: www.facebook.com/rockonthelakethailand
ROCK ON THE LAKE 2015
Date: Nov 14
Location: Silverlake Vineyard (31/62 Moo 7, Na Jomthien, Sattahip, 02-261-6565)
Price: B1,200 from Thaiticketmajor
Lineup: Back for its second year, this festival gathers nine of the country’s biggest rockers: Getsunova, Maew Chirasak, AB Normal, Blackhead, Lomosonic, Modern Dog, Cocktail, Zeal and Asanee Wasan. From dusk until dawn, the event will have a battle-of-the-bands feel with a second stage hosting performances from the rising rockers of Rockademy Thailand.
SEASON OF LOVE SONG 6
Date: Nov 28
Location: Veneto Floating Market Suanpueng, Ratchaburi
Price: B1,300 plus B450/B600 for tent area
Lineup: A night of romantic music from Scrubb, Mild, 25Hours, Stamp, Paradox, Sqweez Animal, Armchair, Slot Machine and more. There’s also a camping area onsite for you to spend the night under the stars.
VOICE OF LOVE WONDERLAND
Date: Nov 28
Location: Kratom Hin Resort & Hotel (57/58 Moo 17, Wang Nam Kiew, Nakhon Ratchasima. 087-995-5799)
Price: B1,200 on Thaiticketmajor
Lineup: Join Lipta, Flure, Musketeer, Jetsete’r, Polycat and Pod Thanachai for 12 hours of love ballads amid the fresh country air. With tent services available, you can make a weekend of it and enjoy the beautiful surroundings nature as well.
OVERCOAT FESTIVAL
Date: Dec 6
Location: Jolly Land Starlight Ampitheater, Khao Kho, Petchaboon
Price: B1,600 at all 7-Eleven convenience stores
Lineup: This huge music festival returns for its sixth year, presenting romantic music amid mountainous scenery. Snuggle up in your hoodie and scarf to enjoy bands such as Slot Machine, Polycat, Paradox, Jetseter, Gene Kasidit, Boom Boom Cash, 25 Hours and plenty more.
STONE FREE MUSIC FEST
Date: Dec 11-13
Location: Khao Wong, Sara Buri
Price: B1,000 for earlybird. B1,500 for general.
Lineup: The fourth edition of the indie music festival throws up a mix of folk, experimental and indie music. Though the complete lineup is yet to be announced, the festival promises a total of 56 bands performing on an open-air stage, including names like Summer Dress, Jia Pa Bo Sue, Monomania, New Mandarin, White Light, Vimutti, Dead Karaoke and Low Fat.
WONDERFRUIT
Date: Dec 17-20
Location: The Fields at Siam Country (50 Moo 9, Bang Lamung, Pattaya)
Price: B2,000-B5,500
Lineup: Bangkok’s biggest lifestyle festival combines art, music, fashion, food and wellness in one place. Yasiin Bey (AKA Mos Def) and R&B duo Rhye headline the music stage, joined by the likes of Daedelus, Com Truise, The Faint and Jon Hopkins x Chris Levine, plus a heap of local acts. Food will come from some of Bangkok’s finest names like Rocket, Gaggan, Peppina and Bao & Buns, while there will also be stalls from A Taste of Wonder (design/fashion), Bird by Sabek (art), Into the Wind by Witaya Junma (art), Solar Stage by Vita Motus (architecture) and Wonder Salon (design/fashion).
7TH BIG MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
Date: Dec 19-20
Location: Kaeng Krachan Country Club, Petchaburi. 032-427-596.
Price: B2,000 from all 7-Eleven convenience stores
Lineup: This two-day-two-night festival may have moved from its traditional home of Khao Yai, but this year’s event will still boast a huge nine music stages, plus a whopping collection of food markets, souvenir stalls, fashion and art exhibitions. Some of the biggest names in Thai music take the stage, including Bodyslam, Modern Dog, Thaitanium, Polycat, Karabao, Paradox, Potato, Big Ass, Scrubb, Lipta, Aof Pongsak, Mild and 25 Hours.
CHIANG MAI JAZZ FESTIVAL
Dates: Dec 26-27
Location: Promenada Resort Mall (192-193 Moo 2, Tasala, Muang Chiang Mai. 053-107-888)
Price: B750-1,300 from Thaiticketmajor
Lineup: Now in its fifth year, this festival is dedicated to the country’s best jazz musicians along with a series of international guests. This year’s lineup includes Pomelo Town, Jonathan Frizten & Camilla Lunstedt, Los Romberos, Chiang Mai Jazz All-stars, Mads Mathias, Funktion & Pod Modern Dog and Jun Abe & J Super Band.
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