|
Festival
In addition to the famous walking street market on Thapae Rd. which is open to tourists all your round, Kad Ngua (The Cows and Buffaloes trading market) at San Pha Tong every Saturday morning is an interesting local attraction. There should be no surprise that the charming characters of Chaing Mai always seem to seduce tourists back here again and again, who pronounce with the same voic that "Chiang Mai is my beloved city for all seasons".
 January
The overall weather in Chiang Mai is sunny with cool breezes. The temperature in the mountainous areas is approximately 0 degree Celsius so a jacket is needed, especially at nighttime.
Hmong's New Year
See the performances and enjoy the famous wooden cart racing in celebration of New Year by the 'Homong' ethnic group at Baan Khun Klang, Doi intanon around the end of December or the beginning of January.
The Thai Sakura Blossom at Khun Chang Kian
This comes into flower at the end of December. Going to see them is a famous activity during the New Year vacation at Khun Chang Kian village around 3-4 kilometers from the tent area in Doi Pui National Park.
Bo-Sang Umbrella Festival
An umbrellas and handicrafts festival is usually held around the second or third week of January at Bo-Sang Umbrella Village.
The bonfire offering to the Buddha during the cool season
signifies giving wramth to the Buddha during January at Pa-Dad temple, Mae Chaem District.
Febuary
The local flowers have started to bloom over the past few months; such as the Thai cherry blossom, red cotton tree, Thong Kwao (buteamonosperma) and Payom. As a consequence, people's activities this month relate to nature.
Winter Flowers Festival at Royal Project Angkang
Doi Saket's Best
A festival of products, handicrafts, and food of Doi Saket District around the third week of Febuary.
Chom Thong Festival
The climax of the festival is the woven cotton fabric of Chom Thong District.
Stawberry Festival at Samoeng
Taste and buy stawberrries from the biggest strawberrry fields of Chiang Mai in Samoeng District.
Mae Chaem's Weaving Skirt Festival
Celebrate this unique style of skirt of the Mae Chaem District in the first week of Febuary.
March
During this month, the cool breeze is replaced by a warm climate resulting in March being the month with the most uncertain weather. Also, tourist numbers begin to drop, even though there's still time to experience the scenic nature of Chiang Mai.
Thai Elephant Day
Hosted in Mae Sa Elephant Camp on the 13th March every year. See elephant shows plus many more activities.
Ethnic Groups' Sports Day
12 Ethnic groups partake in the ethnic games and activities at the Royal Project Angkang around the first week of March.
April
The hottest month of the year when the festival season really begins. A great number of people from all over Thailand and the rest of the world visit the city to enjoy the farmous Songkran, also known as the Water Festival.
Northern Thai Culture Event: The Wisdom of Lanna Arts and Craftsmen
Exhibition of Lanna master work from Lanna artists at Chiang Mai University Art Centre.
Thai Lue Legend Festival
Get to know one of the 'Tai' ehtnic groups at Rungsri Suthawat Temple, Doi Saket District at the beginning of April.
Chiang Mai's Birthday
King Mangrai and his friends King Ruang of the Sukothai Kingdom and King Ngam Muang of Payao, established a city on the location where the city of Chiang Mai is situated today. The city was named Nopburi Sri Nakornping Chiang Mai at the time of its origin at 8.30 am on Thursday 12th April 1296.Thus, on 12th April every year a specific ceremony is held called the Tan Khan khao. During this cremony, people make offerings of food to Buddhist monks in order to gain merit as well as to show their gratefulness to the dead.
May
The rainy season is approaching when all the plants appear to be revived. This is the month for those preferring holisay activities relating to nature. However, there are also some cultural events held throughout the month.
Walking to Doi Suthep Temple on Visakabucha Night
It's a tradition of Chiang Mai people to walk up to the temple to pay respect to the stupa.
'Pi Mod Pi Meng' the Ritual Festival of the North
A time to pay respect to the ancestors' spirit, normally found in the rural areas of Chiang Mai and Lamphun.
Intakin Festival
A festival to pay respect to Chiang Mai's City Pole at Chedi Luang Temple.
June
June sees the start of the rainy season proper but for Chiang Mai tourists this is still an enjoyable season. If you're looking for very green picturesque moundtains, this is the prefect time to experience them. And along with leisure pursuits regarding natural conservation, a variety of adventurous outdoor activities can also be enjoyed this month.
Scorpion Tail Boat Race
A traditional Lanna boat race on the Ping River is held around the second week of June.
July
Rain doesn't necessarily have to obstruct tourist activities. Some tourists find this month perfect for paying a visit to Chiang Mai, for as it is not too crowded they can have their pick of accommodation and other facilities. Several cultural activities are also held this month.
Buddhist Lent Day in Mae Chaem
Visit Mae Chaem District during this religious holiday, and enjoy local performances at the end of July.
Phra Singh Temple Festival
Enjoy many shows recounting the history of Phra Singh Temple at the end of July.
Ritual Ceremony at Doi Kham
A Ceremony at the beginning of the month to pay respect to the city's ancestors spirits at Mae Hia Agricultural Center.
August
Camping in National Park areas is one of the more popular tourist experiences this month, as this is the perfect opportunity of tourists to explore the true beauty of the fertile nature whidch is rare to find in other seasons. This month is also the season for longan, a famous local.
Amazing Lanna Art and Craft
See and buy products from Lanna artists at the Royal Flora Project around the second week of August.
Longan Fesival in Lamphun
Longan lovers should not miss this chance to visit Lamphun around the first week of August.
'Lab Lerd La Napalai'
A Weaving Fabric Exhibition at Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna around the end of August at Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport.
September
The rainy season has almost ended, and is a time when rainbows can be regularly seen. Indoor activities are preferable to outdoor ones.
Le Paradis des Fleurs
Flower arranging exhibittion by Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University during the second or third week of September at Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport.
Doi Lor Festival
An annual festival of Doi Lor District around 11 - 13 September, where one can enjoy local empetitions such as bull fights, Thai boxing, and many more enjoyable games.
Goods Offering to the Monks in Traditional Lanna Style
At most temples in Chiang Mai, the most famous one being at Chedi Luang Temple.
Ganesh's Birthday at Ganesh Museum
Pay respect to Ganesh the Hindu god at Ganesh Museum in Doi Lor District.
October
The winter is about to begin and so is the perfect time for tourists to visit the mountainous areas of Chiang Mai and other regions due to the comfortable weather, as well as having fewer tourists compared to other months.
Rose Festival
Over 200 breeds of roses are displayed around the reservoir are of Chiang Mai Zoo the entire month.
Chiang Mai Food Festival
At the outdoor zone of Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport during the first week of October.
Robes Presented to Monks
At Yang Luang Temple, Mae Chaem District.
International Drums Festival
Drum performances at the Royal Flora Project around the last week of October.
November
The real wintertime of Chiang Mai so it's time for sweaters, jackets, and of course is also the peak time of the tourist season. If you plan to visit Chiang Mai at this time of year, make sure to reserve accommodation long in advance.
Yi-Peng Festival or Loy Kratong
One of Chiang Mai most famous festivals.
Yi-Peng Lantern Festival
Everyone is welcome to float thousands of hot-air lanterns into the sky at the Lanna Meditation Retreat Centre.
Goods Offering to Monks at Midnight
In Chiang Mai City this ceremony is only held at Upakut Temple and along Thapae Rd; the ceremony starts at midnight.
December
The weather is still cold and the city still crowded with tourists from both other provinces and other countries. Several plants grow at this time of year as well as some specific flowers.
NAP
Art and Design Fair on Nimmanhaemida Rd., Soi 1 starts at the beginning of December.
Dararassami Day
A ceremony at Darapirom Museum in the first week of December in memory of Princess Dararassami, one of King Rama V's consorts.
Winter Festival and Thai Red Cross Fair
Ordinary this lasts two week in an area behind the Province of Chiang Mai Government Center.
Chiang Mai Mardigal
Traditional Lanna Parades and International Madrigal on Chang Klan Rd,. Night Bazzaar area around the second week of December.
Rose Festival
At the end of the month at JJ Market.
Chamathevi Festival
A festival to honor the historical Queen Chamathevi, where one can enjoy numerous activities including the Lamphun beauty pageant.
Pasang Festival
Local fair in Pasang District, Lamphun, at the end of the year.
* The dates and venues of the events described are subject to change; please check with TAT Chiang Mai at 0 5324 8604 and 0 5324 8607 before arranging your trip.
|
