Celebrating Songkran in Chiang Mai can lead you to a new level of enjoyment. You can have the most fun there. You may find the longest and biggest parties in Bangkok, but you can find the best water fight in Chiang Mai, which makes Chiang Mai one of the most popular places in Southeast Asia. Visiting Chiang Mai in the middle of April can bring a hell of fun. According to Thai custom, getting soaked during the celebrations of Songkran can bring you blessings for the coming new year and all of your sins and bad luck of the previous year can be washed out with a stream of water. So, if you are thinking of visiting Thailand, for the celebrations of Songkran Festival, you must think about planning to visit Chiang Mai.
Table of Contents
1. Songkran Chiang Mai 2025/26/27 Dates
2. Where to Celebrate Chiang Mai Songkran Festival
3. How to Enjoy Songkran in Chiang Mai
4. How to Prepare for Chiang Mai Songkran Events
5. Private Guided Thailand Tours to Enjoy Songkran Festival
1. Chiang Mai Songkran Dates 2025, 2026, and 2027
Songkran is celebrated annually from April 13th to 15th, though the festival often extends with celebrations beginning earlier and continuing for a few days afterward.
Here are the Songkran dates for Chiang Mai in the 2025, 2026, and 2027:
Year
| Dates | Day | Holiday |
| 2025 | April 13 - 15 | Sunday to Tuesday | Chiang Mai Songkran Festival |
| 2026 | April 13 - 15 | Monday to Wednesday | Chiang Mai Songkran Festival |
| 2027 | April 13 - 15 | Tuesday to Thursday | Chiang Mai Songkran Festival |
During the Songkran Water Festival Chiang Mai Thailand, it's common for the water fights and other activities to last well into the weekend, especially in the areas around Tha Phae Gate and the moat.
4 days Chiang Mai
4 days | From $ 985
5 days Bangkok - Pattaya
5 days | From $ 1159
5 days Phuket
5 days | From $ 980
2. Where to Celebrate Songkran in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the best places in Thailand to celebrate Songkran (Thai New Year), with a lively mix of traditional ceremonies and wild water fights. Here are the top spots to experience the Chiang Mai Songkran 2025, 2026 and 2027:
Tha Phae Gate – The Heart of the Water Fight
This is the main gathering point for Songkran in Chiang Mai.
Expect massive water battles, with people using buckets, hoses, and water guns.
Street vendors sell drinks, snacks, and waterproof phone pouches.
DJs often play music, creating a fun and energetic vibe.
The Moat (Old City) – A 360° Water War
The moat surrounding Chiang Mai's Old City is the ultimate Songkran battleground.
Locals and tourists scoop up water from the moat to drench passersby.
Roads around the moat are packed with people dancing and celebrating.
Perfect for those who want to be in the middle of the action.
Wat Phra Singh – Traditional & Cultural Celebrations
If you prefer a more cultural experience, visit this famous temple.
Locals perform Buddhist rituals, such as bathing Buddha statues with scented water.
You can witness parades, traditional dances, and merit-making ceremonies.
A great place to escape the craziness for a moment and soak in the spiritual side of Songkran.
Nimmanhaemin Road – Trendy and Fun
This hip area is filled with stylish bars, cafes, and Songkran parties.
Expect a mix of water fights and electronic dance music (EDM) parties.
Some restaurants and malls (like Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center) provide areas for more relaxed celebrations.
Huay Kaew Road – Where Locals Play
This stretch, leading to Doi Suthep, is where local families and residents enjoy Songkran.
It's a less touristy area but still has plenty of water fights.
Great for those who want a more authentic and less crowded Songkran experience.
Central Festival Chiang Mai – A Softer Celebration
For families or those who want to escape the full-on chaos, Central Festival Mall hosts organized Songkran events.
There are foam parties, cultural performances, and water zones.
Ideal if you want to enjoy the festival in a controlled environment.
3. What to Do in Chiang Mai during Songkran 2025/2026/2027
Absolutely join in the crazy water fighter!
Join a water fight at the Thapae Gates
Thapae Gate is known as a major entrance to the old city of Chiang Mai, and you can find this area literally covered with water during the celebrations of Songkran Festival. You can find the biggest water fight at this place that you may never have seen before. You can find each and every person, including men, children, Thais, Foreigners, and the old, everyone is throwing themselves into a water fight to enjoy. You can find multiple stages there, which are organizing different events and competitions, and people are taking part in those competitions. You can see the people wearing colorful Thai costumes there. And you may find drinking restrictions in this area.
Walk along a moat
Long road next to the moat, you can find a really lively area where you can enjoy a water fight with lots of fun. But be careful while enjoying a water fight and do not let the water into your eyes, mouth, and ears. It is because the water people use to throw on each other, you do not know where it is from. Local brands may fill the air with beautiful music that can add fun to your enjoyment. And different stalls around you can give you a chance to buy and eat delicious food, and you can find cloth sellers there too, around the road.
Enjoy a water fight by having a tuk-tuk ride
If you want to be a part of the water fight during the celebrations of Songkran Festival but do not want to walk, a tuk-tuk ride can be a better option for you. You can take a tuk-tuk ride to experience the street water fight in Chiang Mai, and may get wet, but it will be a wonderful journey for you.
Plan your trip to fight a grand water fight on the streets in Thailand? Be prepared and you will be the king of the battle! See How to Survive in Songkran Festival and What to Pack during Songkran Festival.
More activities in Chiang Mai during Songkran Festival
Thai New Year is the largest water fight in the world that you can ever watch. If you are young or young at heart, you will love this. If you want to avoid getting wet, you can also find a lot to do during the celebrations of the Songkran Festival. So, following are some other things that you can do to make the celebrations of Songkran Festival much more enjoyable.
Give gifts to monks
Thais believe that the new year can bring blessings and good luck for them if they are going to give food to the monks. They can provide them with clothes, food, or any other thing that can be beneficial for them.
Visit temples
If you want to enjoy religious celebrations of Songkran Festival, a visit to different temples can be a better thing to do. You can find people performing religious prayers and giving baths to statues there.
Join the largest Buddha procession
Holy Buddha statues are brought out of different temples during the celebrations of the Songkran Festival and are paraded through different streets with a sprinkling of water. Dancers and musicians can add more fun to these celebrations.
Enjoy Songkran parade in Chiang Mai
Best celebrations of Songkran Festival take place in the northern side of Chiang Mai. In Chiang Mai, you can find a beautiful mixture of different fun and traditional activities. You can see the immense water fight here, as well as different Holy celebrations too. These Holy celebrations can demonstrate the religious importance of the Songkran Festival. Songkran festival in Chiang Mai is most commonly known as Paweni Pi Mai Muang. During the Songkran festival celebrations in Chiang Mai, you can see the Buddha image and people giving bath to the Buddha images and people taking part in the parade with the sand and Sali, which are Bodhi trees, and moving to the temples. You can see many cultural performances at different events during the celebrations of Songkran in Chiang Mai. You can enjoy a variety of Thai Cuisine there in the retro Thai Lanna market of Chiang Mai.
4. How to Prepare for Songkran Festival Chiang Mai 2025/26/27
Here are some tips to make sure you're fully prepared for a fun and safe celebration of Songkran Chiang Mai 2025, 2026, and 2027:
Waterproof Your Belongings
Waterproof phone cases are essential! You'll want to protect your phone, camera, and other electronics from getting drenched.
Consider waterproof bags to store your valuables (wallet, passport, etc.).
You can also use plastic bags or ziplock bags to keep small items dry.
Dress Appropriately
Light, quick-drying clothes are ideal. Wear something comfortable that you don't mind getting wet.
Old clothes or inexpensive outfits are best. Many people wear T-shirts with fun, colorful designs.
Don't forget to wear sturdy, water-friendly shoes—flip-flops or sandals work well for getting wet and walking around.
Bring a Water Gun
Water fights are the heart of Songkran! Water guns are available for purchase all over Chiang Mai, but bringing your own is often more fun.
Make sure to choose a durable water gun—some people even go for the big, fancy models!
Avoid high-powered guns that might injure others or damage electronics.
Stay Hydrated and Protected from the Sun
Chiang Mai can get very hot during Songkran, so drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Sunscreen is a must, especially if you’ll be outside for long periods.
Wearing a hat or sunglasses can also help protect you from the sun.
Keep Your Safety in Mind
Respect local customs—it's a time for fun, but be aware of the cultural and religious significance of the festival.
If you're driving, be cautious. Many roads are closed or jam-packed with people, and slippery streets due to water can make driving hazardous.
Watch out for road safety, especially if you're riding a scooter—many locals recommend wearing helmets, even during Songkran, for extra protection.
Be Mindful of the Water
Use clean water—try to avoid water sources like rivers, as they may not be clean.
Avoid throwing powder on people without their consent. While it's a common part of Songkran, some might not enjoy it.
Enjoy Traditional Elements
Take the time to enjoy some cultural activities, like visiting temples, paying respects to elders, and joining in the parades.
If you're in Chiang Mai, don't miss out on visiting Wat Phra Singh for the traditional bathing of the Buddha statues.
Prepare for Crowds
Songkran is one of the busiest festivals in Thailand, so expect crowded streets and traffic.
Make sure you keep an eye on your belongings to avoid theft or losing things in the chaos.
It's a good idea to stick with a group if you're going into the thick of the water fights.
5. Enjoy the Songkran Festival with UME Travel
UME Travel welcomes the chance to help you design your perfect trip to enjoy the Thai New Year: Songkran Festival and the whole of Thailand. Our specialists, who have first-hand knowledge, will assist you in selecting destinations, accommodations, and activities that best suit your requirements.
Contact us and we will customize your tour to this carnival in Pattaya!
Tour 1>>>Songkran Carnival: 5 days Bangkok - Pattaya
What you can expect in your crazy Songkran tour:
●Water Battle by Tuk Tuk and get into the heart of the water battle!
●Water Party in Silom Road. Spot the firetrucks ambushed at each intersection with their incredibly powerful water hoses.
●Continue to Pattaya, where it holds a week-long Songkran celebration and colorful nightlife.
●Celebrate like a local: Form a Sand Pagoda & Watch Bathing Rites of Buddha Image
●Elephant sanctuary: wearing Karen clothing and bathing these cute creatures.
Check out the following links to learn more about our Thailand tours and get a head start today on planning your hassle-free vacation!
Tour 2>>>Bangkok & Island Escape - 7 days Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Phuket
Tour 3>>>Best of Thailand Culture & Nature Tour - 14 days Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai - Phuket