Most festivals in the country of Thailand take place during the spring and fall months since the weather is considered picture-perfect at those times of the year. However, the winter months do bring a couple of festivals that are definitely considered the better festivals of the region, despite the cooler temperatures that this season brings.
Here are the fabulous winter festivals in Chiang Mai:
Yee Peng
Yee Peng is only held in Chiang Mai now, so if you want to experience this celebration, you must travel there. The festivities are held on the day of the full moon during the twelfth lunar month, which usually ends up being in the middle of November each year. Yee Peng is a lantern festival and at night, you will see thousands upon thousands of lit lanterns floating in the sky.
The locals do this to let go of all the bad things that happened during the previous year, while wishing for better things in the following year. While the lanterns are the main focus of this festival, you can also see traditional dance performances, listen to live music, and watch the official Yee Peng Parade.
Fruit Winter Festival
This winter festival allows everyone to learn more about healthy lifestyles, while enjoying fresh tasty foods, spending time outdoors, and connecting with others. While you can attend any of the public get togethers, you must sign up for the private retreats that happen during the festival.
There is no limit as to how many people can attend this festival, so you may want to be prepared for some crowds. This is a donation-based festival too, so the cost is what you can afford and that means that you can easily stick to your budget during your visit.
Winter and Red Cross Fair
This fair is held at the end of the local harvest season, which means that everyone who is local can attend! You can watch to see who is chosen as the winner of the beauty queen contest, listen to music, and shop for souvenirs at the many different factories.
Flower Festival
The Flower Festival in Chiang Mai is considered one of the most magnificent festivals in the entire world. You can watch a parade filled with floats that are covered in flowers, see the flower competitions, and even wander through the horticulture exhibits. Don’t forget to take the time to see the works of art that have been created by many of the local artisans.
There are so many wonderful festivals in Chiang Mai, and while many are not held during the winter months, you can still experience a good amount of them when you are there at that time. So, book your adventure now and experience at least one of these festivals during your next trip to Chiang Mai.
