Chiangmai Mardi Gras and Music Festival

For the second year, Chiangmai Mardi Gras and Music Festival will be held in the Night Bazaar area from December 11 through 14 with loads of fun for visitors and residents.

Following the success of the first Chiangmai Mardi Gras last year, the Chiangmai Tourism Promotion Board has again organized this festival and has plans to make it into a long term project.

Along Changklan Road (Night Bazaar) which will be decorated in Lanna style, there will be 3 major themes, comprising Hotel Food & Beverage, Pub & Restaurant and Made in Chiangmai Handicraft. There will be three separate stages, the Center Stage, Talent Show Stage, and the Cultural Stage. Each stage has many performances, especially the Talent Show Stage where people who are interested can join in and show off their talents.

On the other stages, there will be live shows such as Lanna musical plays, Lanna dances, and contests. There is also a Modeling and Music Contest. The winner will receive a trophy cup from Her Royal Highness Ubolratana.

The official opening ceremony will be on December 14th, presided over by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The actual Mardi Gras and Music Festival parade will be on December 11th and will start from the Chiangmai Railway Station along Charoenmuang Road and Thapae Road, then turn left into Changklan Road.

The events schedule

December 11th: Center stage: 6 p.m.; Music concert, 8 p.m.; Miss Mardi Gras and Star Mardi Gras contest, 10 p.m.; Concert from Carabao. Talent Show Stage: 8 p.m.; Talent show, 9 p.m.; Acting show, 9.30 p.m.; Talent Show, 5 p.m.; Fancy Fashion Show, 5.20 p.m.; Talent show. Cultural Stage: 8 p.m.; Instrumental and Thai dance, 9 p.m.; "Welcome to Mardi Gras 2002", 11 p.m.; Lanna Instrumental.

December 12th: Center Stage: Music Concert, 8 p.m.; Oldies Music concert (Elvis Thailand, Cliff & Shadow, The Beatles Nuts and Dynamic Brand). Talent Show Stage: 7 p.m.; Talent show, 8 p.m.; Music contest (1st round), 9 p.m.; Talent Show, 10 p.m.; Dancing contest (1st round), 11 p.m.; Talent show. Cultural Stage: "Sawasdee Theme" 7 p.m.; Thai instrumental, Youth Acting, Thai nailed-dancing, Fencing Dance, 9 p.m.; "Sawasdee" show, 9.30 p.m.; Thai nailed-dance, and Lanna dance, 10.30 p.m.; Lanna instrumental.

December 13th: Center Stage: 6 p.m.; Music Concert, 8 p.m.; Concert from famous guitarist (Lam Morison, Kitti Karnsatit and Y not 7). Talent Show Stage: 7 p.m.; Talent Show, 8 p.m.; Music Contest (2nd round), 9 p.m.; Dancing contest (2nd round), 5 p.m.; Talent show and the winner of Music and Dancing contest's result. Cultural Stage: 7 p.m.; Thai instrumental, 8 p.m.; Lanna instrumental, 8.30 p.m.; Fashion show, 9.30 p.m.; Acting show and instrumental.

December 14th: Center Stage: 6 p.m.; Music Concert, 8 p.m.; Modeling contest, 10 p.m.; the official open ceremony by P.M., 5 p.m.; Rhythm & Blues Concert. Talent Show Stage: 7 p.m.; the 1st and 2nd runner-up winner of music contest shows, 8 p.m.; the 1st and 2 nd runner-up winner of dancing contest shows, 8.30 p.m.; Talent Show, 9 p.m.; the winner of music and dancing contest shows, 10 p.m.; Talent show. Cultural Stage: 7 p.m.; Lanna instrumental, 8 p.m.; Lanna music concert, 8.30 p.m.; Lanna drum show, 10 p.m.; Lanna Dance.