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 Festival
 Tha
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 Gras
Stage 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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