The Full Moon Party is a monthly celebration of the raw beauty of Thailand under the full moon. The party has grown into a full-out monthly festival held at Haad Rin Beach in Koh Phangan, Thailand. The festival starts three nights before the full moon. The first two days of the festival have been described as complete insanity filled with all-night parties, music, dancing, and lots of drinking.
History
The history of the full moon party is simple. A small group of travels threw an impromptu party on Haad Rin Beach after seeing how beautiful the beach and the water were under the full moon. They had such a good time; they returned the following month and brought more friends.
As more people started showing up each month, businesses got involved offering food, drinks, and a variety of novelty items from clothes to glow in the dark jewelry for the party. Several bars and nightclubs have opened up near the beach to be apart of the full moon party, but also to give people a place to go throughout the event when they wander from the beach. Cactus Bar, Sunrise Club, The Rock, and Zoom Bar are just a few of the night spots available.
2020 Full Moon Dates
Upcoming 2020 full moon party dates are March 8, April 7, May 7, June 5, July 7, and August 4. However, the party is always at the full moon, so all you need to do is plan for a full moon. In addition to non-stop music and drinks, there are also fire dancers, jugglers, games, and shopping. You can make your way to one of the nearby hotels to take a dip in the pool or relax for a minute, so you can keep going through the night.
Nearly 30,000 people attend this party each month, which only adds to the insanity. Just before the party begins, hundreds of lamps are lit along the beach, making everything look and feel like it’s out of a fairy tale. If for no other reason, you go for the experience because there is nothing else like it.
Be Prepared
Here are some factors to consider if planning to attend a Full Moon Party. Book your lodging well in advance; with the popularity of this event, hotels book months ahead. Carry your money in different pockets; there are a lot of pick-pocketers at this event preying on people too drunk to realize they are being robbed.
What to wear
Even though this is a beach party, you should wear shoes as there is a lot of broken glass on the beach. Also, stay out of the ocean. It might be tempting to go for a swim, but between the darkness and the drinking, there is a significant drowning risk.
Sun Protection
Don’t forget this is a tropical location, which your body may not be accustomed to. Be prepared with sunscreen and a hat or something to cover your shoulders in the afternoon. The sun and heat will get very intense. Also, drink plenty of water. Even while you are drinking alcohol and partying, you need to remember to drink water as dehydration is a significant risk and problem throughout the Full Moon Party. You don’t want to end up in a hospital in Thailand over something as small as not drinking enough water.
Now you have even more options to get to Thailand and experience the craziness of the full moon. There is a Half Moon Party, Quarter Moon Party, and Block Moon Party. Of these alternative parties, the Half Moon Party is the most popular. Each party is filled with music, food, alcohol, and plenty of party activities.