Songkran in Chiang Mai: Experience the Water Festival Like a Local

Time flies, and Songkran is fast approaching! The Buddhist New Year—also known as the Water Festival—is celebrated throughout Thailand around April 13th. I've already written a more comprehensive article on where to celebrate Songkran In Thailand, this time I want to focus on one place in particular: Chiang Mai.

Why? Because if there's one place to experience Songkran to the fullest, it's here.

It was in the north of the country that the tradition took root, and Chiang Mai remains today one of the best places to enjoy it: a lively atmosphere, blocked streets, music, smiles, and above all... the biggest water fight in the world, lasting several days!

Some criticize the somewhat "festive-commercial" aspect of the festival, far removed from its original meaning. Perhaps. But honestly, it's hard not to get carried away. It's joyful, intense, a little crazy... and it feels so good.

Come take part in the biggest water fight on the planet!

Why go to Chiang Mai?

Probably because it is already a personal desire, and why this desire? Already, because I appreciate the water festival, I like this good-natured atmosphere which reigns during these festive days where everyone participates in this giant party. Then, by that this party falls right on my birthday!

These two reasons make me prefer a place where precisely the holiday is particularly celebrated, and for that Chiang Mai has a solid reputation! Furthermore, I will add that Chiang Mai is a city highly regarded for its culture, the north being known as Lanna, named after the ancient kingdom that once dominated the region.

Wat Chedi Luang, one of the main temples in the old city.

There is so many things to do and see in the area that the flight will be largely profitable if you go up there during Songkran. Be careful to plan ahead, transport is booked in advance and stormed by locals going to their home province, to celebrate Songkran with family.

Once in Chiang Mai, the temples, walk in the jungle, waterfalls (especially those of Doi Inthanon National Park), villages, traditional dances will be all activities to do outside of the festival (which is more active in the afternoon). Not to mention the cuisine, taste local specialties like khao soi (a kind of yellow curry), go to a Khantoke restaurant or even take cooking classes yourself, Chiang Mai is a paradise for eaters.

I could talk and write tons about it, but you get the idea, traveling to the area in itself is worth it, Songkran or not.

It's only in Chiang Mai that you'll also be able to find convertible tuk tuks!

Songkran XXL in Chiang Mai:

What makes the big northern city famous is the length of the festival, which tends to stretch over a good week. Songkran is particularly popular in the northern regions of Thailand and Chiang Mai is no exception. Then it's the number of places available to party there. Around a swimming pool, the canal surrounding the old town, take a break for meditation and merit in one of the many temples and then simply go back out into the streets, you will find water supplies almost everywhere.

Water guns for sale on the streets of Chiang Mai.

At Phantao Temple in Chiang Mai during Songkran.

Most of the party takes place around the Tha Pae Gate Square (see program below), but the "watering" space is located around the central square formed by the old city and its ancient wall. You will be confronted with the "traditional" convoy of pick-ups, loaded with its occupants, often wearing the traditional flowered shirt, the uniform made in Songkran.

Everyone is soaked (and drunk…), you will be able to let go and enter the “battle”.. You will find there a whole line of merchants with water pistols for sale, waterproof pouches for phones (better to plan ahead anyway) but also something to drink, and something to to nibble.

If this last point, I put forward an obvious caveat: Avoid food stalls in the immediate vicinity of action areas. I'll let you imagine hygiene that day with the splashes of water that are not just from the tap and the talcum powder on top... 

Be prepared, “arm” yourself, take a water gun or even a water hose and water copiously anything that moves (well, within reason! If the atmosphere is cheerful, be careful, because some people do not appreciate it, normally, they will avoid the areas concerned but if there is no choice, when the request is explicit, respect their choice not to water them.

The motto of these days is to have fun, have fun and have fun (and drink a little too)!

As everywhere in Thailand, Songkran is primarily observed on April 13, 14, and 15., with a day celebrated mostly across the country, April 13.

Arm yourself, I tell you!

Chiang Mai Songkran Festivities Schedule

Based on previous years, here is generally the program of festivities in Chiang Mai during Songkran (understand that this is not an "official" program, because the latter, in terms of schedules in particular, can vary from one year to another, but it gives a general idea):

Tha Pae Square and Gate on an ordinary day.

April 13:

Busy day with lots of activities around Tha Pae Gate (east of the old town square):

• 6:00 a.m.: like every day in fact, time for the good deed of the day by giving offerings to the monks in front of Tha Pae Gate.
• 8:00 am: Official festival opening ceremony at Tha Pae Gate.
• 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Ceremony around the image of Sihing Buddha parading towards the Wat Phra Sing temple.
• From 7:00 am to noon: Various competitions and shows are performed near Tha Pae Gate, all of which are of course done with a strong emphasis on presenting Lanna culture. You can also see parades (entitled Mae Ying Kee Rod Theep Kaeng Jong) as well as young ladies parading with umbrellas (beauty contests) between the offices of the tourist office (TAT: Tourism Authority of Thailand) and Tha Pae Gate.
• 13:00 pm: Procession of Buddha images and chariot with Miss Songkran from the train station to Wat Phra Sing.
• 19:00 pm – midnight: Miss and Mister Songkran Pageant, Lanna art competition, at Tha Pae Gate.

April 14:

“Quieter” day:

• 15:00pm – 17:00pm: Buddhist procession from Iron Bridge to Tha Pae Gate, carrying sacred relics and sand (yes, yes).

April 15:

Last “official” day (and my birthday!):

• 13:30 p.m. – 18:00 p.m.: Chiang Mai Governor’s blessings with participants from the 3 Kings Monument to the Governor’s Residence located near Nawarat Bridge.

Note that during the Thai New Year period, hotels are usually full because Thais also travel and it is better to book in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. To know where to sleep, I invite you to read (or reread) the article on where to stay in chiang mai, knowing that here you will have understood, most of the events take place around the gate and square of Tha Pae, next to the central square of the old city.

During a procession at Songkran.