Chiang Mai Events and Festivals

(Chiang Mai, Thailand)

There is also something going on within Chiang Mai and the city boasts an extensive calendar of annual festivals and events, including both national and local celebrations. Festivals within Chiang Mai range from live music, costumed dancers, colourful parades with decorated floats, and many religious ceremonies, which take place at many of the city's beautiful historic temples (wats).

Other things to do in Chiang Mai include Sunday craft markets and festivities along Ratchadamnoen Road, where street entertainment abounds. Also worth looking out for are the many seasonal festivals held next to the Tapae Gate, and the traditional Thai food and culture on offer at a popular Khantoke dinner. For many, the lively atmosphere and entertainment at one of Chiang Mai's regular Night Markets is a true highlight. The most notable annual events and festivals are explained below.

Chiang Mai National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• 6th April - Chakri Day
• 1st May - International Labour Day
• 5th May - Coronation Day
• Mid-May - Visakha Puja (wisaakhà buuchaa)
• Late July - Khao Phansa (khâo phansaa)
• 12th August - Queen's Birthday
• 23rd October - Chulalongkorn Day
• 5th December - King's Birthday
• 10th December - Constitution Day

Chiang Mai Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Bor Sang Umbrella Festival - mid-January, a parade of bright parasols and decorated fans in Bor Sang Village, just a short distance to the east of the city
• Tawai Village Woodcarving Fair - late January, with carving demonstrations, stalls and a range of locally produced wooden handicrafts, based in the nearby village of Tawai Village, on the southerly outskirts of Chiang Mai

February

• Chiang Mai Flower Festival - early February, a definite horticultural highlight held during the first week of the month, with magnificent displays of exotic flowers and plants, together with a procession of floats along Tha Pae Road
• Chinese New Year Festival - mid-February, with lion dances, colourful parades, decorated floats, fireworks and general festivities with a strong oriental theme, to see in the Chinese New Year
• Makkha Puja Day - mid-February, a major Buddhist celebration, involving a candlelit parade to Wat Chedi Luang
• Lanna Wedding on Elephant Back - mid-February, many people come to Chiang Mai at this time of the year to get married in this most unusual way, at the Elephant Conservation Centre

March

• There are no significant events held in Chiang Mai during the month of March

April

• Chiang Mai International Arts and Culture Festival - early April, where Lanna arts and culture is actively promoted by a range of activities, including open-air music around the Three Kings Monument. There is also plenty of local Thai cuisine to go around
• Poy Sang Long Festival - early April, a breathtaking event where young Shan men prepare for Buddhist monkhood, by dressing up in beautiful outfits and being led around central streets. Lasting three days in total
• Songkran - mid-April, the official start of the New Year in Thailand, with costumed processions, dancing, competitions, and most importantly, plenty of water being tossed around for fun - be prepared to join in and get wet. The main celebrations in Chiang Mai take place around Tha Pae Gate
• Mai Kam Bho Procession Festival - mid-April, wooden supports are places next to trees growing within the courtyards of temples around Chiang Mai, together with grand processions

May

• Inthakhin Ceremony - late May, centred around a 200-year-old sacred pillar at the corner of both Phra Pokklao Road and Wat Chedi Luang Road. The celebrations last up to a week and involve praying and various religious ceremonies

June

• Pu Sae-Ya Sae Ceremony - throughout June, religious ceremony involving the sacrifice of a buffalo, to remember the spirits of two brothers, who are thought to guard the city of Chiang Mai. Various celebrations and parties also take place at this time

July

• Khao Phansaa - mid-July, the official start of the Buddhist lent, particularly important to local monks

August

• Queen's Birthday - August 12th, royal celebrations take place all over Thailand

September

• Asalaha Bucha - late September, popular Buddhist festival, taking place when the full moon falls during the eighth lunar month. Local Buddhists in Chiang Mai gather and form night-time candlelit processions, culminating with celebrations at the main temples (wats)
• Salakpatt - September to October, religious festivities, with various offerings left at local temples for the monks

October

• Auk Pansa - throughout October, a notable religious event involving local monks, with various celebrations based around Chiang Mai University

November

• Hilltribe Cultural Festival - throughout November, free event based within the northerly Chiang Rai province, close to Chiang Mai, and featuring live music, craft markets, food stalls, demonstrations and general partying
• Loi Krathong (Yi Peng) - late November, night-time event held during the first full moon in November, where small boats made of banana leaves are filled with candles, incense and flowers, and then floated down rivers

December

• King's Birthday - December 5th, celebrated by the whole of Thailand, with much of Chiang Mai featuring a range of celebrations and decorations
• Chiang Mai Mardi Gras - throughout December, parades of costumed dancers and bands, together with plenty of entertainment to go around, make this an event to remember. The Chiang Mai Mardi Gras is based around Changklan Road and lasts for several days
• Chiang Mai Food Festival - throughout December, a chance to sample traditional Thai cuisine at its finest and enjoy cookery demonstrations