Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra - Family & Business trip hotel - Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2025

Your Complete Guide
to the Nine Emperor Gods Festival

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2025, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is one of the most extraordinary cultural celebrations in Thailand. Each year, thousands of visitors travel to Phuket Town to witness the spiritual rituals, colorful processions, and mouthwatering vegetarian food stalls that line the streets.

If you’re planning to experience this world-famous festival in October 2025, here’s everything you need to know, from dates and shrines to must-try vegetarian dishes and the best place to stay in Phuket Town.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2025 Program      Phuket Vegetarian Festival History

What Is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival?

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a sacred Taoist celebration held by the Thai-Chinese community to honor the Nine Emperor Gods. For nine days, devotees follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet to purify body and mind, while shrines across Phuket host rituals, ceremonies, and processions unlike anywhere else in the world.

Expect a fascinating blend of spirituality and spectacle: firewalking, body piercing, parades of devotees in white, and streets filled with glowing lanterns. Whether you are a culture lover, photographer, or foodie, the festival promises an unforgettable experience.

When is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2025?

The festival follows the lunar calendar and usually falls in September or October. In 2025, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival will take place from: 21 – 29 October 2025.

Mark your calendar, as this is one of the busiest and most exciting times to visit Phuket Town.

Where to join the Phuket Vegetarian Festival

The heart of the festival is in Phuket Old Town, where shrines, streets, and food stalls come alive with rituals and celebrations. Key locations include:

● Jui Tui Shrine: Jui Tui Shrine is one of the central hubs for the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket. It’s located on Soi Phutorn, Ranong Road, in the heart of Phuket Town. This shrine hosts many of the festival’s ceremonies, including the pole-raising ceremony and various processions.
● Bang Neow Shrine: Another prominent shrine in Phuket Town that plays a significant role in the festival. It is located on Phuket Road and is known for its elaborate processions and ritual.
● Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine: This shrine, located on Krabi Road, is known for its distinctive rituals during the Vegetarian Festival. It’s a place where devotees perform body-piercing and other acts of devotion.
● Street Processions: Throughout Phuket Town, you’ll find various streets and intersections where the colorful and dramatic street processions take place. These processions often pass by major Chinese shrines and temples, providing excellent opportunities to witness the festival up close.
● Vegetarian Food Stalls: You can find vegetarian food stalls and restaurants throughout Phuket Town during the festival. The main streets, including Ranong Road and Phuket Road, are lined with vendors offering a wide range of vegetarian dishes
● Street Decorations: The entire Phuket Town area gets beautifully decorated during the festival, with colorful lanterns, banners, and other festive decorations adorning the streets. Simply walking around town and admiring the decorations is a part of the festival experience.

How to celebrate Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Here are the top things to do during the nine days:

1. Attend the Opening Ceremony – Witness the sacred rituals that welcome the Nine Emperor Gods.
2. Visit Shrines & Temples – Explore different shrines, each with unique ceremonies
3. Watch the Street Processions – Devotees dressed in white, firecrackers, and spiritual displays.
4. Try Vegetarian Food – From stir-fried tofu to spicy curries, Phuket offers endless vegetarian and vegan options.
5. See Firewalking Ceremonies – A breathtaking ritual of faith and purification.
6. Observe the Go Teng Poles – Tall bamboo poles believed to invite the gods to descend.
7. Respect Local Customs – Dress modestly, avoid alcohol and meat, and always be respectful.
8. Engage with Locals – Learn about Taoist traditions and the deeper meaning behind the rituals.

Vegetarian food to try during the festival

During the festival, Phuket Town becomes a haven for plant-based food lovers. Be sure to try:

● Vegetarian Tom Yum: Tom Yum is a popular Thai soup known for its spicy and tangy flavors. In the vegetarian version, you can enjoy the same flavors with tofu and a variety of vegetables.
● Fried Tofu with Peanut Sauce: This dish consists of crispy fried tofu served with a rich and creamy peanut sauce, often accompanied by a side of steamed vegetables.
● Vegetarian Spring Rolls: These crispy spring rolls are stuffed with a mixture of vegetables and sometimes tofu. They’re typically served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
● Vegetarian Green Curry: A Thai green curry made with a flavorful green curry paste, coconut milk, and a mix of vegetables like bamboo shoots, eggplant, and bell peppers. Tofu or mock meats are common additions.
● Stir-Fried Tofu with Basil (Pad Krapow Jay): A spicy and fragrant stir-fry made with tofu, Thai basil, chili, and garlic. It’s often served with jasmine rice and a fried egg (but you can ask for it without the egg for a vegan option).
● Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang): For dessert, enjoy sweet sticky rice drizzled with coconut milk and served with slices of ripe mango. It’s a popular and refreshing way to end a meal.

Pro Tip: When ordering food, use the word “Jay” to ensure your meal is strictly vegetarian without any animal products.

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The Best Place to Stay for Phuket Vegetarian Festival

If you want to be at the heart of the action, staying in Phuket Town is the best choice.

Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra is ideally located near major shrines like Jui Tui and Bang Neow, making it easy to join processions or explore vegetarian food stalls on foot.

Why stay here?

● Prime Location – Just minutes away from Phuket Old Town shrines and street parades.
● Comfortable Rooms & Suites – Modern amenities, spacious design, and relaxing atmosphere.
● Special Vegetarian Menus – Enjoy vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes at the hotel’s restaurants during the festival.
● Facilities to Relax – Indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and massage services to recharge after a day of festival activities.

By staying at Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra, you enjoy the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and cultural immersion during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2025.