Songkran

Songkran returns to Chiang Mai from Tuesday, 13 to Thursday, 15 April 2027, bringing three days of Thai New Year traditions, temple ceremonies, processions and large-scale water celebrations to the city.

Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s best-known Songkran destinations. The Old City moat becomes the centre of the public celebrations, while temples such as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang provide a more traditional side of the festival through merit-making, Buddha-image bathing and religious ceremonies.

The official Chiang Mai municipal programme for 2027 has not yet been published, so specific parade times, stage performances, road closures and organised entertainment remain TBA.

Songkran 2027 Dates

Thailand’s traditional Songkran period runs from:

• Tuesday, 13 April – Maha Songkran
• Wednesday, 14 April – Wan Nao
• Thursday, 15 April – Wan Payawan / New Year’s Day traditions

Songkran is observed nationwide over these three days.

Chiang Mai’s celebrations can begin building before 13 April, and some entertainment may continue beyond the official holiday period. Still, visitors should wait for the 2027 city programme before treating any extra dates as confirmed.

Songkran Around the Old City Moat

The moat surrounding Chiang Mai’s Old City is the best-known centre of the city’s water celebrations.

Crowds gather along the roads and pavements around the moat, with water fights taking place for much of the day.

Popular stretches include areas around:

• Tha Phae Gate
• Moon Muang Road
• Kotchasarn Road
• Chang Phuak Gate
• Suan Dok Gate
• Chiang Mai Gate

Pickup trucks carrying groups of revellers also traditionally travel around the moat roads.

Expect extremely large crowds, wet streets, slow traffic and temporary road controls throughout the central city.

Tha Phae Gate

Tha Phae Gate is one of the busiest Songkran gathering points.

Its large public square provides space for community activities, cultural performances and organised celebrations when these form part of the municipal programme.

The surrounding streets also become major water-play areas.

The detailed 2027 Tha Phae Gate stage schedule has not yet been announced, so do not carry forward previous performance times.

For a quieter experience, avoid the area during the busiest afternoon and evening periods.

Wat Phra Singh and the Buddha Procession

Songkran has a strong religious and cultural meaning beyond the water fights.

Wat Phra Singh is particularly important in Chiang Mai because it houses the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image.

During Songkran, the image is traditionally carried through the city in procession so residents can respectfully sprinkle scented water over it for blessings.

Chiang Mai provincial tourism information identifies this Buddha-image procession as one of the city’s established Songkran traditions.

The exact 2027 procession route and time remain TBA.

Visiting Temples During Songkran

Temple visits provide one of the best ways to understand the traditional meaning of Songkran.

Popular temples include:

• Wat Phra Singh
• Wat Chedi Luang
• Wat Chiang Man
• Wat Suan Dok

Activities can include:

• merit-making
• offering food to monks
• gently pouring scented water over Buddha images
• building sand pagodas
• prayer
• family ceremonies

Dress modestly when entering temple grounds and keep water play outside sacred areas.

Rod Nam Dam Hua

Rod Nam Dam Hua is a traditional New Year custom in which younger people show respect to parents, grandparents and elders.

People may gently pour fragrant water over an elder’s hands while asking for blessings for the year ahead.

In northern Thailand, these customs remain an important part of the festival and help distinguish Chiang Mai’s Songkran from the purely party-focused image often seen in tourism advertising.

Water Fights

Water play is still one of the most visible parts of Songkran.

People use:

• water pistols
• small buckets
• hoses
• roadside water containers

Visitors should participate with consideration.

Avoid deliberately spraying:

• monks
• babies and very young children
• elderly people who are not participating
• people eating
• people carrying cameras or obvious sensitive equipment
• motorists and motorcyclists in ways that could cause an accident

Never throw water inside temples or other religious spaces.

Use Clean Water

Use clean water supplied by your hotel, accommodation, business or an organised refill point.

Do not rely on scooping water from Chiang Mai’s moat for use in water guns or buckets.

Moat water is not drinking-quality water and can contain contaminants. It is better to refill from a clean tap, tank or other source clearly intended for festival use.

Avoid aiming water at people’s eyes or mouths.

Water Guns and Festival Supplies

Water pistols, waterproof phone pouches and other Songkran supplies become widely available throughout Chiang Mai in the days before the festival.

Common places to find supplies include:

• convenience stores
• supermarkets
• shopping centres
• markets
• temporary roadside stalls

You do not need to seek out a specialist shop.

Buying basic supplies before entering the Old City can be easier than shopping in the busiest festival areas.

Nimmanhaemin

Nimmanhaemin Road and the area around MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center traditionally provide a more contemporary Songkran experience.

Bars, shopping centres and entertainment venues may organise DJs, music and water activities.

The exact 2027 programme is still TBA.

Visitors wanting nightlife and modern entertainment may prefer Nimman, while the Old City offers the strongest combination of traditional and public water celebrations.

Songkran at Shopping Centres

Large shopping centres may run their own Songkran events.

These can include:

• live music
• family activities
• water-play areas
• food stalls
• cultural performances

MAYA, Central Chiangmai and other major centres have hosted festival programming in previous years.

None of those specific 2027 programmes should be considered confirmed until the venues publish their schedules.

What to Wear

Assume you will get wet.

Useful clothing and equipment include:

• lightweight quick-drying clothes
• secure sandals or water-friendly shoes
• waterproof phone pouch
• small dry bag
• sunscreen
• hat
• sunglasses with a secure fit

Avoid carrying unnecessary valuables.

Keep passports, large amounts of cash and other important documents secured at your accommodation wherever possible.

Protecting Phones and Cameras

A waterproof phone pouch is one of the most useful things to bring.

Even outside the main water-fight areas, unexpected splashing is common.

For cameras, use proper weather protection rather than relying on people not to spray you.

Visitors who want to photograph temple ceremonies or processions with expensive equipment may prefer to attend early in the morning before the heaviest water play begins.

Getting Around Chiang Mai

Central Chiang Mai becomes difficult to navigate during Songkran.

Roads around the moat can be extremely congested, while some streets may be closed or temporarily restricted.

Walking is often the easiest way to move between Old City locations.

Songthaews, tuk-tuks and app-based ride services still operate, but journeys can take much longer than normal.

If your accommodation is within walking distance of the moat, walking can save considerable time.

Riding Motorbikes During Songkran

Motorbike travel requires particular caution.

Wet roads, heavy pedestrian activity, traffic congestion and people throwing water can create hazardous conditions.

Do not ride after drinking alcohol.

Visitors with limited experience riding in Thailand should strongly consider walking or using local transport during the busiest Songkran periods.

Where to Stay

The best area depends on the experience you want.

Old City

Best for immediate access to the moat, temples and traditional festival activity.

Expect noise, crowds and difficult vehicle access.

Tha Phae Gate / Night Bazaar

Convenient for major public celebrations and nightlife.

Very busy during peak periods.

Nimmanhaemin

Good for modern entertainment, restaurants and nightlife.

Still lively, but with a different atmosphere than the Old City.

Riverside

A useful option for visitors who want easier access to restaurants and hotels while remaining outside the most intense moat crowds.

Accommodation prices can rise, and popular hotels can fill early, so booking well ahead is advisable.

Alcohol and Safety

Songkran is festive, but normal Thai laws still apply.

Do not drink and drive.

Be cautious around wet surfaces, crowded streets and moving traffic.

Watch your belongings in dense crowds.

If attending with children, choose meeting points beforehand in case your group becomes separated.

Weather

April is one of Chiang Mai’s hottest periods.

Daytime temperatures can be very high even though the water makes conditions feel cooler.

Drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade and apply sunscreen regularly.

The combination of heat, crowds and alcohol can cause dehydration surprisingly quickly.

Songkran and UNESCO recognises

Songkran in Thailand as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The recognition reflects the festival’s wider cultural meaning, including family reunion, respect for elders, merit-making, cleansing rituals, and the symbolic use of water to welcome the new year.

For visitors, experiencing both the traditional ceremonies and the public water celebrations gives a much better understanding of Songkran than treating it solely as a giant water fight.

Songkran Chiang Mai FAQs

When is Songkran in Chiang Mai in 2027?
Songkran is officially celebrated from 13 to 15 April 2027.

Where is the main Songkran water fight in Chiang Mai?
The roads surrounding the Old City moat are the main centre of public water celebrations.

Is Tha Phae Gate busy during Songkran?
Yes. Tha Phae Gate is one of the most crowded and active festival areas.

Has the full Chiang Mai Songkran 2027 programme been released?
No. The municipal parade, stage, entertainment and road-closure programme remains TBA.

Is Songkran only a water fight?
No. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year and includes temple visits, merit-making, Buddha-image bathing and ceremonies showing respect to elders.

Can I visit temples during Songkran?
Yes. Temples are an important part of the festival. Dress modestly and keep water fights outside religious spaces.

Can I use water from Chiang Mai’s moat in my water gun?
It is better to use clean water from a tap, tank or organised refill point rather than moat water.

Do shops and attractions close during Songkran?
Government offices and banks may close for the holiday, while many tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and shopping centres continue operating. Individual opening hours should be checked.

What should I wear?
Wear lightweight quick-drying clothes and shoes suitable for wet streets. Carry electronics in waterproof protection.

Is public transport available?
Local transport continues to operate, but traffic congestion and road restrictions can slow journeys. Walking is often easiest around the Old City.