H.M. Queen Suthida’s Birthday is celebrated annually on 3 June and is an official public holiday throughout Thailand. The day honours the...
Chiang Mai Events
Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most vibrant cultural centres, known not only for its temples and landscapes but for its calendar of annual festivals and events. These celebrations draw visitors from around the world and showcase the city’s rich Lanna heritage, Buddhist traditions and community spirit.
Whether you’re planning a trip around flower shows, lantern festivals or New Year celebrations, Chiang Mai offers memorable experiences throughout the year.
2026/2027 Chiang Mai Events, Public Holidays, Calendar Dates, Thailand
One of the most famous events in Chiang Mai is Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, usually held in November. These twin festivals light up the night with thousands of glowing lanterns released into the sky and floating krathongs set adrift on waterways.
The sight of lanterns rising in unison against the dark sky is a breathtaking spectacle and a highlight for photographers and travellers alike. It’s deeply symbolic, representing the release of misfortune and the welcome of good fortune for the year ahead.
In February, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival celebrates the region’s blooming season with colourful displays of orchids, marigolds, and other tropical flowers. Festivities include elaborate flower parades, traditional music and dance performances, and exhibitions celebrating local horticulture. This event is a favourite for nature lovers and families, offering plenty of photo opportunities and a festive atmosphere.
Another major event is Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year, celebrated in April with water fights, processions, and merit-making ceremonies at temples. In Chiang Mai, Songkran is especially lively; locals and visitors take to the streets for playful water battles that cool the tropical heat and bring people together in joyful celebration. Many also visit temples to pour water over Buddha images and elders’ hands as a sign of respect and blessing.
Chiang Mai also hosts cultural and music events that highlight local and international talent. The Chiang Mai Jazz Festival attracts music lovers with live performances in scenic settings, while the Chiang Mai Festival of Arts and Culture showcases traditional performances, crafts, and exhibitions that explore the region’s artistic heritage.
For those interested in racing and endurance events, the Chiang Mai Marathon, held annually, brings together runners from across Asia and beyond. The race routes often wind through historic districts and scenic areas, combining athletic challenge with cultural immersion.
Seasonal markets and night bazaars add another layer of ongoing celebration, especially during festive periods. Markets brim with handicrafts, street food, and live entertainment, providing an engaging way to experience Chiang Mai’s lively community spirit year-round.
From lantern-lit skies to flower-strewn streets and joyous water wars, Chiang Mai’s annual events offer rich and diverse experiences that reflect the city’s culture, traditions, and welcoming energy.
Planning your visit around these celebrations ensures a deeper connection to what makes this northern Thai city so special.
H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday is celebrated each year on 28 July and is one of Thailand’s most important national public holidays. The occasion honours the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn...
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H.M. Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother’s Birthday / Mother’s Day
Many Locations, Chiang Mai, Thailand12 August 2026
Queen Sirikit’s Birthday, the Queen Mother’s Birthday, is celebrated every year on 12 August and is one of Thailand’s most important national public holidays. The day honours the birthday of Her...
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day is observed each year on 13 October and is a national public holiday throughout Thailand. The day commemorates the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (King Rama IX)...
Chulalongkorn Memorial Day is a national holiday in Thailand observed every year on October 23rd to honour King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), one of the country’s most revered monarchs. Known as “The Beloved Great King,” King...
Awk Pansa is an important festival for devout Thais as it marks the end of lent as well as the start of a new season following the end of heavy rains.
Chiang Mai Sunflower Blooming Season, just as the name suggests, marks the bloom of the beautiful flowers planted on expansive flower gardens.
Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most enchanting cultural experiences, combining riverfront rituals with glowing lanterns, temple ceremonies and deeply rooted spiritual symbolism. Celebrated on the full...
Nimmanhaemin Art & Design Promenade
Art Mai? Gallery Hotel, Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiTBA - December 2026
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King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday / Father’s Day
Many Locations, Chiang Mai, Thailand05 December 2026
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Constitution Day is celebrated each year on 10 December and is a national public holiday in Thailand. The day commemorates the adoption of the country’s first permanent constitution in 1932, marking...
New Year’s Eve, celebrated on 31 December, is one of the most exciting nights of the year in Chiang Mai. While it is not an official public holiday (New Year’s Day is on 1 January), the city comes alive with...
Chiang Mai Cherry Blossom Viewing
Khun Chang Khian Highland Agriculture Research Center, Don Kaeo, Mueang Chiang Mai01 January 2027 to 14 February 2027
Cherry blossom season in Chiang Mai is one of the most enchanting times of the year, transforming the region’s misty mountains and royal agricultural stations into a landscape of delicate pink petals. Unlike Japan’s...
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Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
Bo Sang Umbrella Village, San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai15 January 2027 to 17 January 2027
Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival is an annual festival that is celebrated in January to honour the efforts of local artisans.
Wai Sa Phaya Mengrai
Chiang Rai Provincial Sport Stadium, Rop Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai26 January 2027 to 14 February 2027
Wai Sa Phaya Mengrai is an important festival held in Northern Thailand. The festival is celebrated between 26th January and 4th February each year.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival brings to life the cityscape of the northern region, aptly living up to its other moniker ‘the Rose of the North’.
Makha Bucha Day is one of the most important Buddhist holy days in Thailand, and experiencing it in Chiang Mai offers a deeply spiritual and visually moving insight into northern Thai culture. Observed on the full moon...
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Songkran Festival Chiang Mai brings with it unparalleled excitement for tourists in Thailand as it gives a glimpse into the country’s vibrant culture.
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Coronation Day is celebrated each year on 4 May and is an official public holiday throughout Thailand. The holiday commemorates the 2019 coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X). It is an...
Visakha Bucha Day is an important Thai festival marked on the full moon day of every sixth lunar month. The religious festival is also very insightful.
The Inthakin Festival, also known as the City Pillar Festival, is an important spiritual celebration held each year in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. The festival honours the sacred city pillar, known as the Inthakin...
H.M. Queen Suthida’s Birthday is celebrated annually on 3 June and is an official public holiday throughout Thailand. The day honours the birthday of Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, the Queen Consort of...
What are the most popular annual events in Chiang Mai?
The most popular annual events in Chiang Mai are:Check out the whole list of annual events in Chiang Mai.
Where are the most popular annual events in Chiang Mai held?
The most popular annual events in Chiang Mai are held at:
- Ping River
- Promenada Resort Mall
- Bor Sang Umbrella Village
- Nong Buak Hard Public Park
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
What areas are the most popular annual events in Chiang Mai located?
The most popular areas for annual events in Chiang Mai are located in:
- Si Phum
- Phra Sing
- Tha Sala
- San Kamphaeng
- Chang Phueak