Now in its 11th year, Chiang Mai’s Water Festival returns under the theme “Joyful Songkran, My Home,” with events spanning traditional ceremonies, community markets and cultural performances across the city.
On 15th April, the festival teams up with the Chang Moi community for Water Festival x Chang Moi Team, running along Chang Moi Kao Road to Chang Moi Bridge. One of Chiang Mai’s oldest neighbourhoods, Chang Moi is home to traditional bamboo weaving, teen jok textile weaving, a historic blacksmith workshop, beadwork and contemporary Lanna crafts, alongside food including khao ya khu and khanom jeen.
From 11th-13th April, the main festival takes place at Wat Chedi Luang, with merit-making, prayer ceremonies and spiritual rituals including the Tak Bat Chotika almsgiving ceremony, the ceremonial draping of the Chedi Luang pagoda, Buddhist chanting and a procession of the Phra Attharot Buddha image.
Additional activities include a traditional sand pagoda building competition, live Lanna music performances and a community market with food, crafts and goods from Chiang Mai and surrounding areas.
The Water Festival is organised by Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, which has served as founding organiser and main sponsor since 2015, in collaboration with public and private sector partners and local communities.
