Evening falls and Lopburi comes alive with traditional Thai music, signaling the festival's start. Celebrating King Narai's illustrious rule, the festival features a vibrant parade with elephants and costumed dancers through the city, culminating at the magnificent Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Palace. Here festivities continue with interactive displays and cultural performances against the palace's Ayutthaya-period architecture.

Exploring the palace, a blend of Thai, Khmer, and European designs, visitors encounter Lopburi's historical splendor and its famed playful monkeys. The festival revives the opulence of Narai's court with illuminations, dance dramas, reenactments, and a vintage marketplace, immersing guests in the era's diplomacy and cultural richness.

Visitors can also dress in traditional Thai costumes from local rental shops, enjoy Thai culinary delights, and participate in craft workshops, ending the day with a grand fireworks show.

Planning Your Trip to Lopburi

From Bangkok, travelers can reach Lopburi by train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station, with roughly a 2 to 2.5-hour journey - check the State Railway of Thailand website for schedules. Buses leave from Mo Chit Station, taking 2 to 3 hours. Alternatively, driving offers the freedom to visit additional landmarks, with the 150-kilometer trip taking around the same time as the train.