The city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand blooms every February for the Chiang Mai Flower Festival. This three-day festival is a celebration of spring, showcasing the region’s flowers, cultural traditions, and is generally just an excuse for a party.
I visited Chiang Mai Flower Festival back in 2020 (literally, just as Covid was breaking out) and was blown away by the parades and colorful floats.
Though I wouldn’t say it was my favourite festival in Thailand or that it’s necessarily worth visiting Chiang Mai specifically to attend, if you happen to be in Thailand during February, it’s worth a look.
Here’s everything you need to know:
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- What is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- When is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- What is the history of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- What can you see at Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- What is the typical schedule of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- What are some facts about the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- How to get to Chiang Mai
- Where to stay in Chiang Mai
- Other things to do in Chiang Mai
- Where to go after Chiang Mai
- More Thai festivals
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What is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
The annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival marks the transition from the cool season to the warmer months. It’s a visual feast, featuring stunning floral displays, a grand parade, flower competitions and market stalls selling fresh blooms and handicrafts, too.
When is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
The festival usually takes place over three days on the first weekend of February. So, for 2025, mark your calendars for February 1st to 3rd, but always double-check with a quick Google or email to the tourist information office to confirm. If there’s one thing I learned from three years living in Thailand, it’s to take everything with a pinch of salt (or fish sauce) and a smile!
*Note that the festival may clash with or be rescheduled due to Chinese New Year (January or February, according to the Lunar calendar), which is celebrated by the many Thais with Chinese heritage.
What is the history of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
The festival began in the 1960s as a way to promote Chiang Mai’s horticulture industry and showcase the beauty of the region’s flowers. Over the years, it has grown into a major tourist attraction.
Chiang Mai’s nickname is “Rose of the North,” though this isn’t a direct reference to roses, but more of a figurative nickname to emphasize the rich culture of the area.
What can you see at Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
The Grand Parade
The highlight of the festival is the grand parade, which features floats decorated with flowers. These floats wind their way through the city alongside performers.
Sometimes there are traditional dancers and musicians accompanying the floats, but more often than not there’s a cutesy (and seemingly erroneous) theme or a focus on a corporate sponsor, which is still very entertaining!
You can ask around for the exact timing and route, but I couldn’t make head or tail of it. If you’re around the walls of the old city, just follow the noise. Or, base yourself at Nong Buak Haad Park…
Nong Buak Haad Park
There’s a “floral wonderland” display at Nong Buak Haad Park.
Again, some displays are beautiful and others are a bit kitsch, but it’s all part of the fun.
The tourist board’s main objective seems to be to create as many Instagrammable moments as possible.
The Crowning of Miss Chiang Mai Flower Festival
The competition for Miss Chiang Mai Flower Festival is a much-anticipated event. The contestants perch atop the vibrantly decorated floats as part of the parade.
The selection process unfolds throughout the day and the festivities culminate in the evening with the crowning of the radiant Flower Festival Queen.
What is the typical schedule of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- Friday: The festival kicks off with an opening ceremony and the unveiling of the floral displays at Nong Buak Haad Park.
- Saturday & Sunday: The park remains open throughout the weekend, with cultural performances and the much-anticipated Grand Parade taking place on Saturday.
What are some facts about the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
- Of all the flowers, look out for yellow and white chrysanthemums and damask roses, which are unique to the region.
- Winning floats in the parade are awarded prizes, making the competition fierce and the displays even more spectacular.
How to get to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai International Airport is well-connected to major cities worldwide. You can also reach Chiang Mai by train or bus from other parts of Thailand.
By plane from Bangkok
Chiang Mai is less than an hour’s flight from Bangkok, and you’ll likely be flying from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), which has more domestic routes, rather than the larger Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). It’s an easy mistake to make… I may have made it once or twice.
By train from Bangkok
Personally, my favourite way to travel to Chiang Mai from my home base of Bangkok is by overnight train. You can buy a second-class sleeper ticket (shared carriage with AC) from 12Go online, but you have to pick the tickets up in person before you travel (their office is close to the train station).
The train leaves from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, previously known as Bang Sue Grand Station, in the early evening. After a few hours the seats are turned into bunk beds, complete with freshly laundered bedding. I prefer the bottom bunk as it has the window (with curtains, obviously). It’s definitely not luxury, but I find the gentle rocking to sleep so relaxing.
What can I say. It’s the closest I’m going to get to the Orient Express.
Note that there are mixed gender and female-only carriages available. If you’re in a mixed carriage, the staff can be funny about women booking a bottom bunk. This is supposedly due to increasing safety for women, but I find it hard to believe that a top bunk is any safer.
Also note that I am 5ft3 and fit perfectly in the bunk. If you are tall, this may not be the best mode of transport for you.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a huge variety of accommodation options, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious hotels. Consider staying within the Old City walls, close to Nong Buak Haad Park for convenience during the festival. I stayed at the To Bed Poshtel in a private room with a shared bathroom, which was great.
Other things to do in Chiang Mai
1. Temple Hopping
Chiang Mai is famed for its Buddhist temples. Explore the intricate architecture and serene atmosphere of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, perched atop a mountain, or Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in the city.
One of my favourites is the unusual Silver Temple (Wat Sri Suphan). The temple was founded in 1501, but has been through many reincarnations, remodels and redesigns since then. How else would you explain the carvings of the Avengers and David Beckham alongside scenes from the Buddha’s life?
2. Elephant Sanctuary Visit
Seek out ethical elephant sanctuaries that prioritize the well-being of these gentle giants. Observe them in a natural environment, learn about their rescue stories, and support responsible tourism.
These days, it can be very difficult to discern which elephant sanctuaries are genuine, as many elephant attractions have rebranded themselves as “ethical,” “responsible,” and “sanctuaries” to attract mindful tourists.
One verified option is Elephant Nature Park, run by Sangduen “Lek” Chailert, who is known worldwide for her efforts in conservation. Lek’s aim is to slowly transition the sanctuary to be a completely hands-off attraction. During the pandemic, many elephants (and other animals) were brought to ENP when their owners could no longer take care of them, so business is more important than ever.
3. Thai Cooking Class
Taking a cooking class is always a great activity to do anywhere in Thailand because Thai cuisine is just so damn good. See if you can find a cooking class that will teach you to make Khao Soi (creamy noodle curry), as this is Chiang Mai’s most famous dish and my personal favourite Thai dish overall.
4. Eat All the Khao Soi
I wasn’t joking. I eat so much Khao Soi when I’m in Chiang Mai. Don’t worry if you’re veggie or vegan, there are still plenty of options around town.
5. Hike Doi Inthanon National Park or Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Explore Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand’s highest peak, or the scenic trails of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. You can hike with a guide to visit waterfalls and take in the scenic views. Some guides have hill tribe ancestry, so their family have known this land for countless generations.
The Monk’s Trail, a challenging but rewarding climb in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, leads to Wat Pha Lat, a secluded temple.
6. Get a Thai Massage
Rejuvenate your mind and body with a traditional Thai massage. This ancient practice combines acupressure, stretching, and herbal remedies to promote relaxation and well-being. I can highly recommend Fah Lanna spa from firsthand experience, though I’ve always been intrigued by the massages available at the Chiang Mai Women Correctional Institution Vocational Training Center.
Don’t visit: I’m not a fan of “hill tribe villages” that are essentially human zoos with women from various hill tribes wearing traditional dress ready to pose for photos with tourists. There are plenty of ways to learn about the complicated history and rich cultures of the region’s hill tribes in a more responsible and less awkward way.
Read next: the best bookstores in Chiang Mai. Obviously, that’s top of my list of things to do in any city!
Where to go after Chiang Mai
If you want to explore more of northwestern Thailand, then Chiang Mai is a great jumping off point:
Pai
To the west of Chiang Mai is Pai, which is a bit of a backpacker haven. It’s known for hot springs, waterfalls, and motorbiking around the Mae Hong Son loop. Personally, I found Pai a bit too much of a backpacker town – you’re not going to experience anything authentically Thai there.
Chiang Rai
Famed for the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Chiang Rai lies to the west of Chiang Mai. There’s also the Blue Temple, the Black House, hot springs, and a quirky vibe that comes from the arts scene. You can also travel up to the Golden Triangle from Chiang Rai, where Thailand meets Myanmar and Laos.
More Thai festivals
Any excuse to take a trip to Chiang Mai, I will take it. However, as I mentioned earlier, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival itself has impressive floats and floral displays, but I wouldn’t say it’s worth going out of your way for.
Other Thai festivals I highly recommend experiencing are:
- Songkran (Thai New Year) in April
- Loy Krathong lantern festival (plus Yi Peng in Chiang Mai) in November
- Lopburi Monkey Festival in November
- Vegetarian “Jay” Festival in October (especially in Phuket Town)
Have you ever experienced Chiang Mai Flower Festival or any other Thai festivals? If you have an recommendations, tips, or suggestions, please share them in the comment section below.
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