The best things to do in Phuket this weekend (April 16-19)

What is it?

A live set from Bonobo, the British DJ-producer known for blending trip-hop, downtempo and nu-jazz with organic textures.

Why we love it

Bonobo might be an unusual name, but it fits. Simon Greene borrows from natural soundscapes as much as club culture, shaping sets that shift with the crowd. His background – from a rural upbringing (‘a farm pretty much’) to global stages like Glastonbury, Coachella and the Sydney Opera House – feeds into a sound that moves between worlds. Expect something immersive and layered rather than full-throttle chaos.

Time Out tip

Arrive early and ease into it. The build-up is part of the experience – perfect after a long, humid Phuket afternoon.

Apr 18. B700. Café del Mar Phuket. 11am-late

What is it?

A beachside cannabis festival on Sunrise Beach, bringing together growers, brands and the wider community.

Why we love it

Like that sweet scent of left-handed cigarettes? This one leans into the culture. The ‘420’ code traces back to a long-standing legend – five students meeting after school on April 20, 1971 – but here in Phuket, the vibe is more about community than mythology. Expect reggae beats, sea air and a relaxed crowd browsing stalls and chatting with local producers. It’s lively, but never overwhelming.

Time Out tip

Head over before sunset, then stay as the music picks up. A good call if you want something social without the full beach club intensity.

Apr 18. B420. Phuket 420 Island Fest. 3pm-midnight

What is it?

A beachfront brunch at Pine Beach Bar, with seafood, wood-fired pizzas and optional free-flow drinks.

Why we love it

Need a reset after Songkran? This is it. Come for the food, stay for the setting – sharing platters served Thai-style, a resident DJ on chill-out duty and a saxophonist drifting through the background. Waves roll in just metres away, doing their part to slow things down. Perfect after a slightly heavier Saturday night.

Time Out tip

Book a table close to the sand. The sea breeze makes all the difference in April heat.

Apr 19 (weekly). From B2,990++. InterContinental Phuket Resort. noon-3pm at Pine Beach Bar

What is it?

A jungle adventure park packed with ziplines, sky bridges and a high-speed ‘roller coaster’ ride.

Why we love it

April heat in Thailand can feel relentless – so why not lean into it? At Hanuman World, you’re strapped into a harness and sent flying through dense rainforest, cooling off as you go. Expect loops, spirals and sudden drops at speed, plus extras like abseiling, sky bridges and a luge run. It’s loud, fast and a proper adrenaline hit.

Time Out tip

Go early to beat the heat, then work your way up to the slingshot if you’re feeling brave.

Apr 16-19 (daily). From B350 (slingshot only). Hanuman World. 8am-6pm.

What is it?

A late-night DJ set from Cash Only, aka Matt Wilcox, a UK producer rooted in garage, jungle and house.

Why we love it

This isn’t about payment methods – entry’s free – but about sound. Cash Only’s style draws on classic UK garage and jungle, with syncopated two-step beats, heavy sub-basslines and pitched-up vocals. These days, he leans into house with Afro influences, keeping things around a steady 130 BPM. Think energetic, rhythmic and easy to settle into.

Time Out tip

Entry’s free, but tables go fast. Book ahead if you want space to stay a while.

Apr 17. Free entry (minimum spend B3,000 for two people). Armania Phuket. 10pm-4am.

When you think of Phuket, it’s easy to dream about beaches and barbecues. Once you’re actually here, the relationship between people, art and nature becomes a lot more nuanced. In celebration of this (and because, where better?) Thailand Biennale Phuket has set up a secure spot along the beaches and backstreets of the island, showcasing the best art the region has to offer. And while the Biennale is the largest contemporary art event on the island, you don’t even need to cough up an entry fee. Exhibitions and artworks by over 60 international artists are spread across 20 locations, from ‘Silent Memories’, a burlap sack pavilion set up at Khao Rang viewpoint, to ‘The Labyrinth #2’, that blends with the landscape of Saphan Hin Park – there’s lots to be seen, touched and contemplated. Whether mangrove tunnels or street art murals are more your thing – use art as a compass and join this visual feast all the way ‘til April. 

Nov 29-April 30. Free. Locations across Phuket, details here at Thailand Biennale 2025-2026. Opening hours vary

 If you’re going to do a boat party in Phuket, you may as well do it properly. The VIP Sunset Catamaran Experience swaps cramped ferry decks for the pinewood levels of a luxury catamaran – five hours of island hopping, swim stops and rooftop-style dancing. Run with Shipfaced – the crew behind parties in Sydney and Zakynthos, plus collaborations with Cafe del Mar, Paradise Beach’s Full Moon Party, Circo Loco and even Tomorrowland – this is Phuket’s new premium take on the classic sea rave. The route cruises from Chalong Pier to Coral Island, with a swim stop at Banana Beach (yes, that postcard-perfect one), then on past Racha Island before parking up at Promthep Cape for a sunset session and final DJ set. Standard tickets include transfers from Chalong area hotels, welcome drink and full cruise access, while VIP upgrades score you priority boarding, a reserved top-deck table, bottle service and unlimited shots for you and your crew. Tickets are still available, but best sourced through third-party tour operators.

Every Thursday until April. From B1,800. Departs from Chalong Pier 2.15pm. Hotel pickup 1pm

Into spirits? The drinkable kind? Head to The Distillery Phuket for an insider look at how Chalong Bay Rum and other small-batch tipples are made, from raw sugarcane to snifter cup. This is no backstreet operation – this is a proper guided tour through the working distillery, with stops for tasting along the way. Sure, you can sip Chalong Bay at many bars along the beach, but sampling yet-to-be-bottled rums, gins and vodkas while learning the basics behind distilling and cocktail-making adds new ‘depth’ to the glass. Plenty of swirling and sipping happens here, and maybe a few ‘just one more’ moments to be found as well. 

 Daily. B1,290. The Distillery Phuket. 11am-10pm

Ladies, Thursdays in Bang Tao just got a little more glamorous. Dolly’s Night at Maya Beach Club is your weekly excuse to lean into refined beachside energy with a night dedicated to feminine vibes. Start off at sunset, with deep-house rhythms and an ultra-glam dress-code to match Phuket’s beautiful golden hour. By 7pm, things shift to smooth sophistication with DJ Marcella curating a soundtrack and a troupe of pink-cladded acrobats who take you from dinner to dancefloor in one fell swoop. If you’re skipping the food, get there before 9pm to make the most of free-flow Prosecco and catch up with those already a bottle or two deep. 

Every Thursday. Free for women, B1,000 for men. Maya Beach Club. 7pm-late