Chiang Mai Festival

Chiang Mai Festivals & Events

Famous throughout Thailand for its hectic Songkran or Thai New Year festival in April which lasts for several days, Chiang Mai also has a number of other colourful events and festivals held throughout the year. Many include handicraft exhibitions and sales of local produce, in addition to the religious festivals and local customs. See below for details.

January

Bo Sang Umbrella Fair & Sankamphaeng Handicrafts Festival
Almost everyone in the small village of Bo Sang, near Chiang Mai is involved in making gaily painted paper umbrellas. The annual fair, held along the main street features contests, exhibitions, processions with cycling ladies holding umbrellas and handicraft stalls.
Bo Sang Village, Chiang Mai
Tawai Village Wood Carving Fair
Demonstrations, contests and stalls with wood carvings and local handicrafts. (Products can be ordered and made while the fair is in progress.) Also includes local folk performances and a procession highlighting the entire range of popular northern Thai wood crafts.
Tawai village, Hang Dong district.

February

Flower Carnival
Dazzling colour in this celebration of flowers. A gentle festival with a parade of intricately arranged flower floats, a beauty contest, flower displays, gardening techniques and flowers for sale. Throughout the main city streets and at Buak Hard Park.
Makha Bucha (Maha Puja)Day
An important Buddhist holiday honoring the event when 1,250 of Buddha's disciples spontaneously congregated to hear an important sermon. Buddhists carry flowers, lighted candles, and joss sticks while walking around a Chedi at the temple three times under the full moon.

April

Chiang Mai Songkran and Lannathai Festival
Tha Pae Gate and citywide, Chiang Mai
This traditional festival to welcome the Thai New Year, has become almost a legend. Large scale water throwing over each and every person! Thais also undertake the traditional aspects - visiting the temple, constructing sand chedis, and pouring lustral water over respected elders and Buddha images. After that, the water throwing begins in earnest and goes on for a about three days! Simply join in and go with the flow! April 12- 17
Chiang Mai Arts And Culture FestivalTha Dton Payom Market on Suthep Road, Chiang Mai
Aims to promote the image of Chiang Mai as an important art and cultural centre. Also aimed at encouraging the preservation of the area's cultural heritage for future generations. Includes demonstrations of activities from the Lanna period. Stalls selling various local items and northern food.
Early April.

May

Visakha Bucha Day
A Buddhist holiday, in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Chiang Mai Buddhists walk up to Doi Suthep Temple at night to make merit.

August

H.M. The Queen's Birthday Celebrations. August 12, Nationwide.

September

Langsart Fair 
This annual fruit fair is held in e Uttaradit province on the second or third weekend of the month. The usual parades and beauty contests are featured in this provincial fair.

Awk Pansa
Mae Hong Son celebration of the Buddhist holy day "Awk Pahnsa" which marks the end of both lent and the rainy season. Colourful, noisy processions, donations of food and necessities to monks.

October

Northern Lantern Festival: Displays of lanterns at the Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai.

November

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong (Yee Peng Festival) Held every year, Loy Krathong is the most charming of all Thai festivals. The custom of placing handmade floats decorated with flowers and candles on waterways goes back over 700 years to the Sukhothai historical period.
In the North, "Yee Peng" is celebrated for two nights under the full moon. As the moon rises on the second night, celebrations include a procession with floats through the city to the Ping River, boat races, and a beauty contest. Huge hot air lanterns similar to balloons are also launched into the night sky. Book early for tables at riverside restaurants. November 19 - 21
Sunflower Blooming Season
Great photo opportunities in Mae Hong Song province when the hillsides are covered with yellow sunflowers. Festival centred on Khun Yuam village by Doi Mae U-Khor, Mae Hong Son province.
3rd Northern Lantern Festival: Displays of lanterns at the Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Mardi GrasStage shows, beer and food festival, annual music awards. Held during the evening on Changklan Road at the Night Bazaar

December

H.M The King's Birthday. Nationwide celebrations are nationwide tributes with gaily-lit buildings and streets. His birthday is also celebrated as "Fathers' Day" in Thailand. December 5
Rose Festival A popular Chiangmai celebration of the world's favourite flower. Exhibitions, culture performances and competitions held at Makro, Chiangmai. Dec 27-29
Christmas and New Year's Eve
Everywhere from first-class HOTELS TO corner beer bars celebrate in style. Dec 24-25, 31
Chiang Mai Red Cross and Winter Fair
This fair is the premier event for much of the province's agricultural population. Farmers and locals from miles around come to swap stories and goods. Chiangmai Provincial Hall. Also features a variety of products for sale, especially handicrafts, plus a show, beauty contest and games. Comes alive at night. Dec 28-Jan 8 04

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