Pattaya’s annual Bikini Beach Race returns on Halloween this year, with the 10th anniversary edition taking place along Pattaya Beach on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Despite the name, this is much more of a colourful 5K beach fun run and party than the title might suggest. Bikinis are certainly part of the event’s visual identity, but they are not required, and previous editions have seen runners taking part in everything from regular running gear to elaborate and novelty costumes.
With the race followed by a beach party, music and the newly promoted “Glow Party”, the event is as much about the atmosphere as the running.
A 5K run on Pattaya Beach
The race covers 5 kilometres entirely on the sand at Pattaya Beach, starting and finishing in front of Central Pattaya.
The route heads along the beach before turning around at the northern and southern ends and returning to the Central Pattaya area. Running 5 km on sand is rather different from running the same distance on a road, but this is primarily intended as a fun and social event rather than a serious competitive race.
The event has become surprisingly large in recent years. The 2025 edition attracted more than 5,000 runners from around 30 countries, turning a large section of Pattaya Beach into a lively spectacle.
That also makes it worth considering if you aren’t planning to run. Spectators can watch the runners, enjoy the atmosphere around the start and finish area and stay on for the entertainment afterwards.
Do you actually have to wear a bikini?
No.
While bikinis and beachwear are obviously a major part of the event’s identity, there is no requirement to run in a bikini or swimwear. Normal running clothes are perfectly fine, and costumes have traditionally been a feature of the event.
In previous years, runners have turned up in all kinds of colourful and novelty outfits, with costume competitions forming part of the post-race celebrations.
That should be even more noticeable in 2026, as the race falls on Halloween.
So if you’re looking for a Halloween event with a difference, the Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race 2026 offers plenty of scope for dressing up without taking the name of the race too literally.
More than just a run
The organisers are promoting this year’s event as:
BEACH RUN • GLOW PARTY • MUSIC FESTIVAL
The exact 2026 entertainment programme has not yet been announced, but music and a post-race party are established parts of the event.
Previous editions have featured DJs and live music after the race, with the 2025 event continuing into the evening with a live concert. The beach has also been illuminated with colourful lighting, helping create the nighttime atmosphere that appears to have inspired this year’s “Glow Party” theme.
Don’t expect a major international music festival, however. The entertainment is best thought of as part of the wider beach-party atmosphere rather than the main reason to attend.
The biggest attraction is the spectacle of thousands of runners in colourful costumes making their way along Pattaya Beach, followed by an evening of music and celebrations around Central Pattaya.
Watching the Bikini Beach Race
You don’t need to register for the race to enjoy the event.
The Central Pattaya beachfront is the main focal point, with the race starting and finishing directly in front of the shopping centre. This is also where the post-race entertainment takes place, making it the obvious place to be if you want to experience the event without running.
With thousands of participants expected, the beachfront can become very busy. If you’re attending as a spectator, arriving around 5 PM gives you time to find a good viewing spot and experience some of the pre-race atmosphere rather than arriving just as the runners are setting off.
The race itself takes place in the evening, and the event continues afterwards with music, lighting and the Halloween-themed celebrations.
Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race 2026 – When and Where
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Race distance: 5 km
Location: Pattaya Beach, starting and finishing in front of Central Pattaya
Theme: 10th Anniversary / Halloween
Format: Beach fun run, Glow Party and post-race entertainment
The event is expected to run through the evening, although the detailed 2026 schedule has not yet been announced.
Registration and more information
Registration for the Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race 2026 is being handled through the event’s official registration channels. As places and registration deadlines can change, check the official sources for the latest information rather than relying on third-party listings.
The 2026 event is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, so whether you’re taking part in the 5K or simply want to see one of Pattaya’s more colourful annual spectacles, Halloween night on Pattaya Beach should be an entertaining one.