Calendar of Events

Many of these annual events are based on the lunar calendar. Contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT; tel. 02694-1222; www.tourismthailand.org) in Bangkok for exact dates.

January

Umbrella Festival, Bo Sang. Held in a village of umbrella craftspeople and painters about 9km (5.5 miles) east of Chiang Mai, the Umbrella Festival features handicraft competitions, an elephant show, and a local parade. Third weekend of January.

February

Flower Festival, Chiang Mai. Celebrates the city's undisputed accolade as the "Rose of the North" with a parade, concerts, flower displays, and competitions. A food fair and a beauty contest take place at the Buak Hat Park, on the first weekend in February.

King Mengrai Festival, Chiang Rai. Known for its special hill-tribe cultural displays and a fine handicrafts market (early Feb).

Sakura Blooms Flower Fair, Doi Mae Salong. Sakura (Japanese cherry trees) were imported to this hilly village 50 years ago by fleeing members of China's Nationalist, or Kuomintang, party (KMT). Their abundant blossoms bring numerous sightseers. Early to mid-February.

March

Poy Sang Long. A traditional Shan ceremony honoring Buddhist novices -- widely celebrated in the northwestern town of Mae Hong Son. Late March or early April.

April

Songkran (Water) Festival. Thai New Year is celebrated at home and in more formal ceremonies at wats. Presents and merit-making acts are offered and water is "splashed" over Buddha figures, monks, elders, and tourists to celebrate the beginning of the harvest and ensure good fortune. Those who don't want a good soaking should avoid the streets. The festival is celebrated in all Northern provinces and throughout the country, but Chiang Mai's celebration is notorious for being the longest (up to 10 days) and the rowdiest. The first day is always April 13.

May

Visakha Bucha. Honors the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Lord Buddha on the first full moon day in May. Celebrated nationwide, it is a particularly dramatic event in Chiang Mai, where residents walk up Mount (Doi) Suthep in homage.

Harvest Festival, Kho Loi Park, Chiang Rai. This festival honors the harvest of litchis (lychees), a small, fragrant fruit encased in bumpy red skin. There is a parade, litchi competition and display, a beauty contest to find Miss Chiang Rai Litchi Nut, and lots of great food. Mid-May.

Mango Fair, Chiang Mai. This fair honors mangoes, the favorite local crop. Second weekend in May.

August

Longan (lamyai) Fair, Lamphun. Celebrates another of the town's favorite fruits and one of Thailand's largest foreign-exchange earners. There is even a Miss Longan competition. First or second weekend of August.

October

Lanna Boat Races. In mid- to late October, Nan Province holds 2 days of boat racing, with wildly decorated, long, low-slung crafts zipping down the Nan River. The Lanna Boat Races are run 7 days after the "Rains' Retreat," marking the beginning of the dry season.

November

Loy Krathong. Occurs nationwide on the full moon, on the 12th lunar month. Small krathongs (banana-leaf floats bearing candles incense and garlands) are sent downriver to carry away the previous year's sins. In Chiang Mai, the waterborne offerings are floated on the Ping River. In the city, enormous 1m-tall paper lanterns (khom) are released in the night sky; and there's a parade of women in traditional costumes. Late October to mid-November.

December

Day of Roses, Chiang Mai. Exhibitions and cultural performances are held in Buak Hat Park. First weekend in December.