Half Moon Party Koh Phangan: Tickets, Dates & Tips

Featured image: Per Meistrup, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

What the Half Moon Party Is (and How It Differs from the Full Moon Party)

Travellers use "Half Moon Party" for the event the organisers call the Halfmoon Festival. It is run by the Half Moon Festival crew in a forest north of Ban Tai, between Thong Sala and Haad Rin. Full Moon Party nights happen on the sand at Haad Rin instead. Half Moon is a ticketed event with a defined venue and stages. Full Moon is an open beach party. Current details sit on the organiser's official site.

When the Half Moon Party Happens

Dates follow the lunar calendar, not the calendar month. Expect an event about one week before and one week after each full moon. Exact nights can shift, so this page lists none. Compare them with the Full Moon calendar to see the lunar rhythm. Then confirm your night on the official calendar before booking boats or rooms. A past-year date on a social post is not a schedule.

Half Moon Party Tickets, Inclusions and Cost

Partner listings show two formats: a 1-Day Pass and a 2-Day Ticket. The 2-Day option adds a first day at Harmony Beach Club, followed by the forest night. A 2025 edition opened its beach day at 2 PM and capped capacity at 2,500, so advance booking mattered. Free drinks vary by pass: one listing showed 4 on the 1-Day option and 5 on the 2-Day option. The same listing showed just 2 free drinks for May and June 2026. Ticket prices change by tier and date, so read the price on the official ticket page rather than trusting an old blog figure. Budget for the ticket, your room, transport and extra drinks as four separate costs. One listing offered free cancellation until 24 hours before the start, but terms differ by seller.

• Typically included: wristband, lanyard, general admission, and free drinks
• Day 1 of the 2-Day Ticket: glitter body paint at Harmony Beach Club
• Not included: meals, drinks beyond your allowance, personal expenses
• Age limit: 18+

Where It Is and How to Get There

The forest venue lies north of Ban Tai village on Koh Phangan, in Surat Thani province. Thong Sala is the main arrival port for most ferries, so confirm your operator's landing point. Koh Samui has the nearest airport. From there, take a ferry across to the island. Train travellers can reach Surat Thani and continue by ferry. Once you land, pre-book a transfer or a shared taxi to the venue. Fares and last-boat times change by season, so check your ferry operator's site before you go.

Where to Stay: Koh Phangan vs Day-Tripping

Sleeping on Koh Phangan is the simplest choice because a night party and daytime ferries do not line up. Day-tripping from Koh Samui or Koh Tao can save on rooms. It also adds return-trip risk if the last boat leaves before the party ends. Book early. Rooms fill as the party date approaches, and some resorts near the venue set minimum stays.

Getting Home After the Party

The return trip is the hardest part, because taxis cluster at closing time. Arrange your ride back before you arrive, and agree a meet-up point with your group.

Music and Stages

Three stages run at once on the forest night. Prime Stage plays psytrance and progressive. G-Floor leans toward techno and house. The Cave covers hip hop, R&B and trap. Pick a stage by taste, then wander between them. Lineups change from edition to edition, so check the organiser's announcements for the current artists.

What to Wear and Bring

Dress code is relaxed. Wear bright clothes you can dance in, and expect neon body paint. Choose closed, grippy footwear for forest paths, because sandals struggle in mud. Bring a light rain cover, sunscreen, a small bag and some cash or a card. Carry ID, since entry is limited to adults aged 18 and over. Leave valuables in your room.

Food and Drink Inside

Your wristband covers a set number of drinks, usually between 2 and 5 depending on pass and month. Meals are not included. Food stalls and extra bars inside sell what you need beyond your allowance. Prices inside are set by the organiser and change, so carry spare cash and check current menus on the day.

Weather and Season at a Forest Venue

Rain affects a forest party more than a beach one. Mud, wet paths and slippery slopes are the main issues. Read rainy-season planning before booking a wet-month trip. Check monthly weather patterns for typical conditions. Use timing your trip to pick a month. Short-range forecasts come from the Thai Meteorological Department. Ask the organiser how it handles heavy rain, since policies are not guaranteed.

Half Moon Party Safety and Who Should Skip It

Go with a group and set a meet-up point in case phones fail. Never accept drinks or food from strangers. Watch your belongings, and drink within your limits. Thai drug laws are strict, and security is present at the venue. Some travellers should rethink attending.

• Anyone under 18: entry is limited to adults
• Travellers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health: listed cautions
• Anyone wanting a casual walk-up beach night: the Full Moon Party suits better
• Light sleepers staying near the venue
• Solo travellers with no meet-up plan

Is the Half Moon Party Worth It?

Go if you want music-led nights, stage choice and a more organised crowd. Skip it if you want a spontaneous beach scene or a low-cost night. If you are still undecided, stay on Koh Phangan, buy ahead and plan your ride home. Confirm every detail on the organiser's site first.