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ANNUAL FESTIVALS |
| Chiang Mai’s festivals keep the most avid fun-seekers happy. There is something for everyone, whether its the hot-season water festival “Songkran” in April or the quieter moonlight festival “Loy Krathong”.
This calendar is based upon the best information available. Event dates for each year are usually announced very late in the previous year. Buddhist festivals follow the lunar calendar and can change by several weeks forward or back from a previous year, but many other festivals tend to occur at roughly the same date from year to year. |
| DATE | EVENT |
| JANUARY 2008 |
|
| 1 | NEW YEAR'S DAY The international new year is celebrated in Thailand much like anywhere else. The first day of January is a national holiday, following the previous night's fireworks displays. |
| Dec 30 - Jan 14 |
CHIANGMAI RED CROSS AND WINTER FAIR This fair is the premier event for much of the province’s agricultural population held near the Chiang Mai Provincial Hall, Chonlaprathan Road. |
| 18 - 20 | BORSANG UMBRELLA FESTIVAL |
| 18 | ARMED FORCES DAY |
| FEBRUARY 2008 |
|
| 1 - 2 | CHIANG MAI FLOWER CARNIVAL Highlight of the first weekend event are all the flower-covered floats parading through the city on Saturday morning. Beauty contests, flower exhibitions, cultural performances within the Buag Haad City Park. |
| 1 | WEDDING CEREMONY ON ELEPHANT BACK Held at The Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Haang Chaat district, Lampang province. |
| 2 - 4 | DTEEN JOK FESTIVAL Mae Jaem district is well worth a visit for this annual event. See the weaving techniques demonstrated and prized fabrics on display. Buy unusual traditional Thai souvenirs at very reasonable prices. |
| 5 | CEREMONIAL VENERATION AT KING GAWILA'S STATUE Ceremonies at the statue of King Gawila, the last Lanna King, at the Gawila Army Base, Lamphun Rd. |
| 7 | CHINESE NEW YEAR Throughout the world, the Chinese community celebrate their tradition. |
| 8 - 12 | PAYAO GEMS EXHIBITION The exhibition is held at the Payao Province Northern Center of Gemology. |
| 9 - 17 | RAJAPRUEK GMS EXPO Over 600 booths at Ratchaphruek, Mae Hia, Chiang Mai. |
| 21 | MAKHA BUCHA This religious holiday commemorates the occasion of the Buddha’s first sermon to 1,250 disciples. All are welcome to join the “Wien Thien” procession under the full moon. Worshippers carry lighted candles, joss sticks and small flower bouquets while walking three times around the temple Jedee. According to lunar calendar. |
| MARCH 2009 |
|
| 11 - 13 | THAI ELEPHANT DAY CELEBRATION |
| 13 | THAI ELEPHANT DAY Ceremony blessing elephants at Elephant Camp, Mae Rim. |
| 23 | EASTER |
| 30 - Apr 5 | CRICKET SIXES ANNUAL TOURNAMENT Daily matches from 8.30 am. Take place at the century old Gymkhana club, Chiangmai-Lumpoon Road. Matches last only 40 minutes. Sunday, March 30 to Saturday April 5, inclusive. Sixes web site: www.chiangmaisixes.com. Audio and video broadcasts on the Internet available. |
| APRIL 2008 |
|
| Early April | POY SANGLONG FESTIVAL Mae Hong Sorn hosts grand Shan-style festival to welcome initiates into monkshood. April.A Chiang Mai version Poy Sanglong festival at Wat Pa Pao, Maneenoparat Road to preserve the Shan heritage. |
| 2 - 9 | INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES ANNUAL TOURNAMENT Daily matches from 8:30 am take place at the 100+ year old Gymkhana Club, Lampoon Rd. Matches only last 40 minutes. |
| Early April | SUEBSAN LANNA OR THAI HERITAGE WEEK Honoring HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s birthday with cultural activities at Social Research Department, Chiang Mai University, Chonlapratarn Rd. |
| 6 | CHAKRI DYNASTY DAY: Official holiday. |
| 13 - 15 | SONGKRAN in LAMPANG The Songkran Festival celebrated in Lampang, including the Silver Bowl Procession (Saloong Luang) on 12 April. |
| UNKNOWN | PAI CULTURE FESTIVAL |
| 13 - 16 | SONGKRAN All are fair game in this water throwing celebration of Thai New Year from Wear your quickest-drying clothes. Parades, beauty contests, cultural shows. |
| End April | WAT PRATHART HARIPHUNCHAI Wat Prathart Haripunchai, Lamphun (Lumpoon) province, is the center of holy homage paying tribute. |
| MAY 2008 |
|
| 1 | LABOR DAY A national holiday in Thailand. |
| 5 | CORONATION DAY A national holiday in Thailand. |
| 9 | PLOUGHING CEREMONY Brahmin tradition. |
| 19 | VISAKA BUCHA This is one of the year's purely religious holidays, in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Residents walk up Doi Suthep to make merit at the temple on this night of the full moon. |
| 2nd weekend | MANGO FAIR This agricultural fair takes place in the Sunzai district of Chiangmai over the second weekend in May. Activities are: beauty contest, parade and cultural show. |
| 2nd, 3rd Weekend | LYNCHEE FESTIVAL The Lynchee is one of the most delicious tropical fruits and Fang is a good place to celebrate this season . This festival takes place over the second and third weekends in May and has plenty of things to see and do. |
| 30 - Jun 7 |
CITY PILLAR INTHAKIN FESTIVAL Held to invoke blessings of peace, happiness and prosperity for the city and its residents. Buddha images are paraded around the city. Held at Wat Jedee Luang for 7 auspicious days and nights in the 7th lunar month. |
| JUNE 2008 |
|
| 12 | THAMBOON MUANG This merit-making ceremony is held to preserve the ancient Lanna traditions, culture and heritage. The various activities are at the four gates and corners of the ancient city walls. |
| JULY 2008 |
|
| 1 | All Banks in Thailand are closed |
| Early July | LUMYAI FAIR This fruit fair takes place in both Chiang Mai and in Lamphun (Lumpoon) Province |
| 17 | ASARAHA BUCHA This Buddhist holy day commemorates the Buddha's sermon to his first five disciples. |
| 18 | KHOW PAHNSA The start of the three-month Buddhist lent called"KHOW PAHNSA"during which monks do not leave their temple unnecessarily for fear of harming any living things. This is also the traditional period for Thai men to become a monk.. |
| AUGUST
2008 |
|
| 12 | HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY (THAI MOTHER'S DAY) On this national holiday, government buildings and streets throughout the kingdom are brightly lit in a celebration of Mothers' Day and as a tribute to Her Majesty. |
| SEPTEMBER 2008 |
|
| 2nd or 3rd weekend |
LANGSART FAIR This annual fruit fair is held in the Uttaradit province on the second or third weekend of the month. The usual parades and beauty contests are featured in this provincial fair. |
| OCTOBER 2008 |
|
| 14 | AWK PANSA DAY & DHEVO-ROHANA OFFERING CEREMONY Marks the end of both Lent and the rainy retreat. Believed to be the day Buddha’s spirit returned to earth. Held on the first day of the waning moon in the 11th lunar month. Dried foods are presented to monks at the temple on the Chiang Mai University campus. |
| 14 | POY LERN FESTIVAL Shan (or Thai Yai) hold ceremony and festival in Mae Hong Sorn on final day of rains retreat. |
| Early October | DHEVO-ROHANA OFFERING CEREMONY This celebration of the day Buddha's spirit descended from heaven and returned to earth is held on the first day of the waning moon in the 11th lunar month. Dried foods are presented to monks at the temple on the CMU campus. |
| 23 | KING CHULALONGKORN COMMEMORATION DAY
Public holiday. |
| 26 - Nov 23 |
TORD GATHIN The ceremony takes place within one month after Awk Pansa. Monks are free to move from place to place. The dates of this annual presentation are selected by merit makers. Throughout the month there are colorful, noisy processions, donations of food and necessities to monks. Lunar calendar. |
| NOVEMBER
2008 |
|
| 1 - 15 | SUNFLOWER BLOOMING SEASON The yellow Mexican wild sunflowers bloom beautifully covering all hillsides. A three day weekend fair all visitors enjoy. Mae Hong Sorn. |
| early Nov. | CHIANG MAI FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVALS Annual cuisine events at Cherngdoi Market, Chonlapratarn Rd. |
| 12 | CHIANGMAI YEEPENG (LOY KRATHONG) FESTIVAL Charming Thai festivals; the custom of placing handmade floats decorated with flowers and candles on waterways goes back over 700 years to the Sukhothai period. In the North, “Yee Peng” is celebrated for two nights under the full moon. As the moon rises on the second night, a procession of beautiful maidens and floats parades through the city of Chiang Mai to the Mae Ping River. Book early for tables at riverside restaurants. |
| 26 | “LOHNG SAPAO” JAO WIANG LAKORN Lampang’s Loy Krathong fair with hot air lanterns & fireworks. |
| end Nov. | LAMPHUN WINTER FAIR |
| DECEMBER
2008 |
|
| 1 - 11 | NORTHERN SOUVENIR FAIR Sales and exhibitions of national handicrafts at Northern Industrial Promotion Center, Toong Hotel Road. |
| 5 | THE KING'S BIRTHDAY December 5 is His Majesty's birthday. Celebrations are nationwide tributes with gaily-lit buildings and streets. His birthday is also celebrated as "Fathers' Day" in Thailand. |
| first weekend |
NIMANHEMIN STREET FAIR |
| 8 - 9 | PRINCESS DARA RASAMEE REMEMBRANCE DAY Ceremonies, processions, cultural shows, musical performances, souvenir bazaar at former royal residence in Mae Rim. |
| 10 | CONSTITUTION DAY Public holiday |
| Mid December |
NORTHERN ROSE SHOW Extravagant floral arrangements, potted plants. Khamthiang Flower Market. Mid-December |
3rd |
CHIANG MAI FOOD FESTIVALS Annual cuisine events at Central Airport Plaza. Early December.Doi Kham Royal Project Fair at CMU Convention Hall, Nimmanhemin Rd,. 9.00-20.00 hrs. |
| 24-25, 31 | CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S EVE These western holidays are as lively here in Chiangmai as they are anywhere else. Everywhere from first-class hotels to corner beer bars celebrate in style. |
| Late December - Early January | CHIANGMAI RED CROSS AND WINTER FAIR This fair is the premier event for much of the province's agricultural population. Farmers and locals from miles around come to swap stories and goods. This year's fair will be held in front of the Chiangmai Provincial Hall |
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August 20 2008
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