Festivals not to miss in Chiang Mai are listed below.
Yipeng Loi and Krathong Festival - Ping River Festival. This is an historic festival where the people pay respect to the river god. It is a lively event mostly in the evenings and is load with fireworks and fire crackers going off till the wee hours of the morning. The center is the river banks with thousands of people floating their offerings down the Ping river. A dazzling procession of hanging lanterns, Krathongs (floating offering trays made of banana stalk holding coins, incense, flowers and a candle to float down the main river) , Phi Yi Peng Festival ( which is the release of thousands of Kom Loi - fire balloons) , as well as fireworks displays at the Ping River, traditional Lanna lifestyle displays like fruit carvings contests and beauty contests and Lanna cultural performances all welcoming you to participate or merely observe the fun. Date: 1-6 November 2006 Place/ Activity At Chiang Mai citywide, Chiang Mai Province
The Songkran Water Festival is the northern traditional New Years.Mid-April, depending on the moons, is when Chiang Mai really get a little wild and wet. Not from the rainy season, but from the celebrations of the northern Thai New Years and Chiang Mai is easily the wildest place in Thailand to come and celebrate it.
With the temperature rising, as we entry the hot season, reaching the high 30s the whole city starts to celebrate with "the worlds biggest water fight". Nobody is off limits, even the police are soaked to the bone*. If they are here by late morning they are here to play hard. But ONLY from about 10:00 am till dusk. Please don't be the "stupid tourist" that will not stop at dark, it disrespectful. There is no excuse for that..Travelers are culturally aware. *(Don't wet monks and the few people trying to rush to work before the water really starts fly - Thai players are respectful of these people you should be too!)
But during the day it is a free for all, with religious celebration going on for the mature Kids and a bit too much drinking, so be aware that not all drivers are at their best. The wildest area is around the old city walls but children will be playing all around the north, so drive carefully and watch out for them and soak them before they soak you!
The elders and most local will use perfumed water to slightly pour over friends, as to offer a new years blessing to each other. If you are up early after a hard day of playing water you will see this still being practiced. Presents are alsp given to special elders who have assisted you in the year before. As well, there is a ritual parade where many locals will cleans the Buddha Statues from the local temples that are paraded down Thapae road, to allow people toss fragrant water on the statues, as they pass by on decorated floats. Well worth the time out from the fight to watch or better still partake in.
If you come bring water proof bags for your passport and camera. Also take a taxi into town if you arrive in the middle of the festival and allow enough time for traffic if you plan to escape early.
The Flower Festival is a new festival being held for only 30 years now and have proven to be a event for all to see with a parade with floats covered with real flowers only. It comes with beauty pageants and live entertainment. Held 2nd - 4th February 2007 - (usually held the first weekend in February). It is a wonderful relaxed event where westerners and Thai people get to see floats and just hang out.
After the parade is finished they park them by the park and people are welcome to have photos taken with the floats and see them close up.
Festivals here are about showing respect and getting together which is what Chiang Mai is all about, just having fun and enjoying each other.
