What is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival?
Chiang Mai, the old capital of the Lanna kingdom in the mountains of northern Thailand, is famous for its temples, its moated old city and its cool season, from November to February, when the hills burst into bloom. Every February, the city celebrates with the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, a weekend of flower-covered floats, parades of people in traditional dress, garden displays and music.
The festival has been held since the 1970s, with its 49th edition in 2026, and it has become one of the most popular events in northern Thailand. It celebrates the flowers of the region, especially chrysanthemums and the damask rose, which grow in the cool highlands around the city, and the traditions of the Lanna culture of the north.
The highlight is the parade on Saturday morning. Dozens of floats, entirely covered in flowers and shaped like temples, animals and mythical figures, make their way from the Nawarat Bridge across the Ping River, along Tha Phae Road to the Tha Phae Gate of the old city, and then along the moat to Suan Buak Haad, a park in the southwest corner of the old city. Between the floats, groups of dancers, musicians, and young men and women in traditional Lanna and hill-tribe costumes walk and dance, often stopping to pose for photos.
During the weekend, Suan Buak Haad becomes the heart of the festival, with garden displays, flower competitions, plant markets, food stalls and performances, and the evenings bring music and celebrations.
The timing is ideal for a visit to northern Thailand. Early February is the tail end of the cool season, with warm days and fresh mornings, and the festival weekend is a good moment to combine the parade with the temples, markets and mountains around the city.
What to expect
The festival runs over three days, Friday to Sunday, usually in early February, with the main parade on Saturday morning.
Friday
The opening
The festival opens at Suan Buak Haad park, with flower displays, markets and the floats on show around the city.
Saturday morning
The flower parade
Flower-covered floats and groups in traditional dress parade from the Nawarat Bridge to Tha Phae Gate and along the moat to the park.
Saturday evening and Sunday
Gardens and markets
The festival continues in the park with gardens, plant sales, food and performances, while the floats remain on display.
Waiting to join the flower parade
Photo by John Shedrick / flickr · CC BY 2.0
Planning your trip
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport is a short drive from the old city, with many flights from Bangkok and other cities in Asia. Trains and buses also connect Chiang Mai with Bangkok. The parade and the park are in and around the old city, easy to reach on foot.
Where to stay
Chiang Mai has accommodation for every budget, from guesthouses in the old city to riverside hotels. The festival weekend is busy, and flights from Bangkok become more expensive, so book early.
What it costs
The festival is free. Chiang Mai is very affordable, with excellent street food, cheap accommodation and inexpensive transport.
Go like you know
- Try khao soi, Chiang Mai's famous curry noodle soup, from a local stall.
- Bring water, a hat and sunscreen; the parade route has little shade.
- Visit the Sunday Walking Street market in the old city on the festival weekend.
- Visit Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, two of the city's great temples, in the old city.
- Browse the plant and flower markets at Suan Buak Haad for local orchids and seeds.
- Take a trip to the hills around Chiang Mai, where many of the festival's flowers are grown.
- Thailand's Songkran, in April, turns Chiang Mai's moat into the centre of a giant water fight.
- The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival shows off carving skills in wax in July.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in 2027?
The festival is usually held on the first weekend of February, but the dates have moved in recent years: it was held from February 7 to 9 in 2025 and February 13 to 15 in 2026, because of elections. The 2027 dates are usually announced in December.
When is the best time to see the parade?
The parade takes place on Saturday morning, usually from about 8am, though it often starts later. Arrive early to find a spot along Tha Phae Road or near Tha Phae Gate, where the floats pass close to the crowds, and stay in the area as the parade can take several hours.
Is the air quality a problem in February?
It can be. The burning season in northern Thailand usually starts in February and peaks in March, when smoke from agricultural fires affects air quality. Early February is often better than later months, but check the air quality forecast, and consider a mask if you are sensitive.
