Festivals
Songkran in Chiang Mai
Celebrate Thai New Year in Chiang Mai on 13-15 April, from the Old City moat and Tha Phae Gate to Nimman and Maya.
Updated 23 October 2026
Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year on 13-15 April every year. Chiang Mai fills with water play, music, family gatherings and temple traditions. The busiest celebrations are usually around the Old City moat and Tha Phae Gate, Nimman and Maya Mall, with parties and smaller gatherings elsewhere around the city. Some events begin earlier or run longer than the three official days.
Know the two sides of Songkran
The water celebration is the part visitors notice first, especially around the Old City and its moat. There is also a quieter side: this is an important time for Thai people to be with family and loved ones. Families visit temples, clean homes, pour water over elders’ hands as a sign of respect, and make merit. Many people travel to see relatives, so buses, trains, flights and roads can be busy around Songkran. Temple traditions and street festivities are both part of the holiday.
When you meet someone, sawadi bpi mai means Happy New Year in Thai. It is a simple greeting that is warmly received during Songkran.
Show the Old City and moat on a map
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Expect water around the city
Water play is not limited to a single event site. Expect it around the Old City moat, Tha Phae Gate, Nimman, Maya Mall and other lively streets. Even a short walk through these areas may leave you soaked; businesses that need to stay dry usually protect their entrances.
Keep the celebration kind
The fun works best when people respect one another. Be considerate of monks, drivers, older people and anyone who is not taking part. Avoid high-pressure water and do not throw water at moving motorbikes.
Use clean water and avoid powders or anything that can hurt eyes. Be considerate with ice too: do not shoot it at someone who is already cold or clearly needs a break. Step aside for ambulances and people clearly trying to get to work. If somebody does not want to join, let them pass. That small bit of judgement makes a big difference in a crowded street.
Beyond the Old City
Nimman and the Maya Mall area can be especially busy and packed during Songkran. Central Festival also hosts Songkran parties and events, so it is worth checking its current programme if you want a mall-based celebration.
Show Maya Mall on a map
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Open in Google Maps ↗Getting around during Songkran
Roads around the Old City moat can move slowly, and Nimman, Maya Mall and the streets around them can become very busy. Open vehicles are part of the water action too. Ride-hailing cars, buses and flights may be in higher demand while people travel for the holiday.
If you need to cross town, a quieter route or a main road can be easier than driving through a celebration area. There are also police checkpoints during Songkran. Drinking and driving is a serious danger during the holiday, especially after evening parties; use a taxi or ride-hailing car if you have been drinking.
For details about a particular party, neighbourhood or local transport during the holiday, ask people at your hotel or other locals in Chiang Mai.
