Have you ever seen a festival where monkeys are the VIPs? In the town of Lopburi, in central Thailand, every year there’s a wonderfully weird and wonderful celebration where thousands of macaque monkeys are invited to a grand buffet of fruits, vegetables, sweets, and even soft drinks! It’s called the Monkey Buffet Festival, and it’s one of the most unique festivals in the world.
Let’s take a fun journey to discover what the festival is all about, why it happens, and what you might see if you visited.
Where and When
The festival takes place in the town of Lopburi, around 150 km north of Bangkok, Thailand. One of the main spots is the ancient temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot, where many of the monkeys live.
It is held every year on the last Sunday of November, with the 2025 date being 30 November.
Why a Buffet for Monkeys?
In Lopburi, troops of long-tailed macaque monkeys live in and around the temple complex and the town. Locals believe these monkeys bring good luck and are part of the town’s heritage.
In 1989, the festival’s founder wanted to show appreciation for the monkeys and attract visitors to the town. Since then, the festival has grown into a major event, attracting thousands of visitors and tons of food for the monkeys.
What Happens During the Festival?
The Monkey Buffet Festival is not just a regular event—it’s full of drama, fun, and colour. Here are some key highlights:
- Food towers and spreads: Huge tables and pyramids loaded with fruits (bananas, watermelons, pineapples), vegetables, cakes, sweets, drinks, and more. The monkeys climb, jump and dive into the feast.
- Opening ceremonies: People in monkey costumes dance, performers entertain, and then the monkeys are “invited” to the banquet. Many tourists watch in amazement.
- Monkeys everywhere: The macaques roam the temple grounds, eat from the buffet, and sometimes snatch food from visitors (so it’s important to keep your snacks safe!).
It’s a festive atmosphere, and while the monkeys get the main feast, the visitors enjoy the spectacle and the town’s carnival-like vibe.
Some Fun Facts
- The festival takes place inside and around the ancient Khmer-style temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot, built in the early 13th century.
- In some years, the monkeys number around 3,000 in the town alone!
- The amount of food prepared is huge—several tons of fruits and vegetables are laid out for the monkeys.
- The Guardian newspaper once listed this as one of the strangest festivals in the world.
Why Visit or Learn About It?
For kids (and adults!), the festival is a chance to observe how humans and wild animals share space in interesting ways. It brings together culture, wildlife, tourism, and fun all in one. You might learn about:
- How animals like monkeys become part of a community’s identity
- The importance of treating animals with respect
- How traditions and tourism combine to make a unique experience
- The behaviours of macaque monkeys—how they climb, jump and interact
Things to Keep in Mind
While the festival is fun, there are important things to remember:
- The monkeys are wild animals—even though they are used to humans, they can still act unpredictably. Keep a safe distance.
- Do not feed the monkeys yourself unless it’s part of an arranged and safe activity.
- Respect the local culture and the temple surroundings.
- Be prepared for crowds if you visit—many tourists go to Lopburi for this event.
- Be alert: some reports say the large monkey numbers have caused trouble in the town in recent years.
What Can Kids Learn From This Festival?
- Respect for animals: The festival shows one way humans honour animals in their environment.
- Cultural traditions: Festivals come in all shapes and sizes—some involve music, some involve nature, some involve animals!
- Wildlife and tourism: When animals and people live closely, there are benefits and responsibilities.
- Fun and curiosity: Learning about other countries, their traditions, and how they include animals in celebrations can open your mind.
Final Thoughts
The Monkey Buffet Festival of Lopburi is both entertaining and thoughtful—a way to celebrate wild macaque monkeys that live among people in the town, and a way to bring attention and respect to their place in local culture. It’s not just about fun and food; it’s about community, heritage, and the fascinating relationship between people and animals.
So if you ever watch videos or pictures of monkeys climbing over piles of fruits in a Thai temple—and crowds laughing and cheering—you’ll know: yes, this is one of the world’s most unusual, delightful festivals, and it’s all about monkeys getting their own buffet day!
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