January

-: Bo Sang Umbrella Fair & San Kamphaeng Handicrafts Festival Bo Sang Village, Chiang Mai
Almost everyone in the small village of Bo Sang, near Chiang Mai derives a livelihood from making gaily painted paper umbrellas. This fair, held on the main street celebrates their traditional skill and features contests, exhibitions, stalls selling umbrellas and other handicrafts, and procession decorated by umbrellas and cycling ladies with umbrellas. Tawai Village Wood Carving Fair Tawai Village, Chiang Mai Demonstrations, contests and sales of wood carvings and local handicrafts. Products can be made while the fair is in progress. Also includes local folk performances and a procession highlighting the entire range of popular northern Thai wood crafts. Hosted by the Tawai village, Hang Dong district.

February

Flower Carnival Buak Hat Park, Chiang Mai A celebration of flowers. Lovely parade with beautiful flower floats, a beauty contest, flower displays, gardening techniques and flowers for sale. Takes place throughout the main city streets and at Buak Hard Park.
Makha Bucha (Maha Puja)Day An important Buddhist holiday honoring the event when 1,250 of Buddha's disciples spontaneously congregated to hear an important sermon. Buddhists carry flowers, lighted candles, and joss sticks while walking around a Chedi at the temple three times under the full moon.

April

Chiang Mai Songkran and Lannathai Festival Tha Pae Gate and citywide, Chiang Mai This traditional festival to welcome the Thai New Year, has become a famous event which involves throwing water over the nearest person! Thais also undertake the traditional aspects of the festival visiting the temple, constructing sand chedis, and pouring lustral water over respected elders and Buddha images. After that, the festival begins a day of water soaked fun. Simply join in and go with the flow! April 12- 17Chiang Mai Arts And Culture FestivalTha Dton Payom Market on Suthep Road, Chiang Mai Aims to promote the image of Chiang Mai as an important art and cultural centre. Also aimed at encouraging the preservation of the area's cultural heritage for future generations. Includes demonstrations of activities from the Lanna period. Stalls selling various local items and northern food. April 3-6.

May

Visakha Bucha Day A Buddhist holiday, in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Chiang Mai Buddhists walk up to Doi Suthep Temple at night to make merit.

August

H.M. The Queen's Birthday Celebrations. August 12, Nationwide.

September

September : Langsart Fair This annual fruit fair is held in e Uttaradit province on the second or third weekend of the month. The usual parades and beauty contests are featured in this provincial fair. Auk Pansa Mae Hong Son celebration of the Buddhist holy day "Awk Pahnsa" which marks the end of both lent and the rainy season. Colourful, noisy processions, donations of food and necessities to monks.
28 Sep. - 10 Oct

October

3rd Northern Lantern Festival displays of lanterns at the Night Bazaar, chiangmai.

Novermer

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong (Yee Peng Festival) Held every year, Loy Krathong is the most charming of all 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, celebrations include a procession with floats through the city to the Ping River, boat races, and a beauty contest. Huge hot air lanterns similar to balloons are also launched into the night sky. Book early for tables at riverside restaurants. November 19 - 21Sunflower Blooming SeasonGreat photo opportunities in Mae Hong Song province when the hillsides are covered with yellow sunflowers. Festival centred on Khun Yuam village by Doi Mae U-Khor, Mae Hong Son province. 3rd Northern Lantern Festival: Displays of lanterns at the Night Bazaar, chiangmai. Chiang Mai Mardi Gras Stage shows, beer and food festival, annual music awards. Held during the evening on Changklan Road at the Night Bazaar

December

H.M The King's Birthday. Nationwide celebrations are nationwide tributes with gaily-lit buildings and streets. His birthday is also celebrated as "Fathers' Day" in Thailand. December 5 Rose Festival A popular Chiang Mai celebration of the world's favourite flower. Exhibitions, culture performances and competitions held at Makro, chiangmai. Dec 27-29 Christmas and New Year's Everywhere from first-class to corner beer bars celebrate in style. Dec 24-25, 31 Chiang Mai 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. Chiang Mai Provincial Hall. Also features a variety of products for sale, especially handicrafts, plus a show, beauty contest and games. Comes alive at night. Dec 28-Jan 8 04