Songkran Festival › Songkran in Chiang Mai
Songkran in Chiang Mai 2027
Chiang Mai keeps both sides of Songkran: temple processions in the morning, the whole moat a water fight by the afternoon, and a programme that runs well past the three public holidays. Here is what happened in 2026, what each day means here, the rules, and where to stay for 2027. Checked 24 Oct 2026.
At a glance
Songkran 2027
Public holidays Tue 13 to Thu 15 April 2027. Days off and bridge-day watch
City programme (2026)
6 to 17 April (being checked); the moat’s official splash days were 13 to 15 April
Where the water is
The Old City moat, Tha Phae Gate and Nimmanhaemin Road
13 April
The Phra Phuttha Sihing procession leaves Wat Phra Singh
Trains from Bangkok
Reserved seats go on sale 180 days ahead (being checked), so April 2027 trains are already selling
2027
Not announced The city programme, splash-zone hours and the alcohol rules
Where to splash
Four places, from the wettest to the most traditional. Details are from 2026; each card will switch to 2027 when the city announces its programme.
Old City · free
The moat
Chiang Mai’s main water fight: people line the moat road with buckets and water barrels, and ice sellers top up barrels for free when you buy ice. The loop runs by Jaeng Hua Rin, Jaeng Sri Phum and Tha Phae Gate (being checked).
2026: Official splash days 13–15 April, with plenty of splashing from about the 11th (being checked). An alcohol-free zone (being checked). Go around midday and leave before sundown, about 17:00.
Getting there: Car traffic on the moat road is gridlocked. Park on a side street and walk in.
2027 not announced
Sources: Time Out Chiang Mai, Thai PBS World
Old City · free
Tha Phae Gate
The family zone. Tha Phae Gate and Ratchadamnoen Road go car-free, with a two-storey water tunnel, Lanna music and dance, and the Mr and Miss Songkran contests (being checked).
2026: Evening events every day from 16:30, 11–15 April (being checked). The grand procession and the Songkran King and Queen pageant started here on 13 April (being checked).
Getting there: Walk in from the moat, or come along Tha Phae Road from Nawarat Bridge.
2027 not announced
Sources: Time Out Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai CityLife
Nimman · free and ticketed
Nimmanhaemin Road
The younger, louder side. The road stays open to traffic, with stages at the Huay Kaew intersection, Soi 7 and Warmup Café; it is busiest at night (being checked).
2026: MAYA and One Nimman ran pool and stage parties 11–15 April, Think Park 12–15 April (being checked).
Getting there: Take a Grab. Parking is very hard to find.
2027 not announced
Sources: Time Out Chiang Mai
Temples · free
Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang
The other half of Songkran: bathing Buddha images, building sand chedis decorated with paper tung flags, and pouring scented water over elders’ hands for a blessing.
2026: On 13 April the Phra Phuttha Sihing image is carried in procession from Wat Phra Singh, and people pour scented water as it passes. Wat Chedi Luang held a Water Festival 11–13 April.
Getting there: Both are inside the Old City, a short walk apart. Cover shoulders and knees.
2027 not announced
Sources: Thai PBS World, official events calendar
The 2026 programme
Twelve days, not three
Chiang Mai stretches Songkran well beyond the holidays. In 2026 the city’s programme ran from 6 to 17 April (being checked), and the water fights peaked on the three public holidays.
In the north the festival is called Pi Mai Mueang, the Lanna new year. 13 April is Wan Sungkan Long, when homes are cleaned and people wash their hair to rinse away bad luck; 14 April is Wan Nao, a day for building sand chedis and not quarrelling; 15 April is Wan Phaya Wan, for merit-making and asking elders’ blessings (Thailand Foundation). More on the customs: what Songkran means.
The 2027 programme has not been announced. Sign up below and we will email you when it is out.
6–17 Apr
City programme: pageants, parades and contests (being checked)
Across Chiang Mai
6–19 Apr
Mae Kuang Dam splash zone (new in 2026) (being checked)
Out of town
11–13 Apr
Chiang Mai Water Festival
Wat Chedi Luang
11–15 Apr
Evening events from 16:30 (being checked)
Tha Phae Gate
11–15 Apr
Pool and stage parties (being checked)
MAYA and One Nimman
12 Apr
Wan Long Fai, the lead-in day (being checked)
The moat
12–15 Apr
Songkran party (being checked)
Think Park, Nimman
13 Apr Free
Phra Phuttha Sihing procession
From Wat Phra Singh
13 Apr
Grand procession and Songkran King and Queen (being checked)
Tha Phae Gate
13–15 Apr Free
Official splash days (being checked)
The Old City moat
18–19 Apr
Saad Sud Festival (being checked)
Central Airport Chiang Mai
Sources: Time Out Chiang Mai, Time Out Chiang Mai news, official events calendar, Chiang Mai CityLife.
Chiang Mai’s Songkran in numbers
The figures that matter when you plan the trip.
12 days
of official festivities in 2026, 6 to 17 April (being checked)
48 temples
on the route of the 13 April procession in 2026 (being checked)
37.2 °C
the normal April daily high in northern Thailand
About 90%
of hotel rooms in the upper north are usually taken at Songkran (being checked)
Sources: Time Out Chiang Mai, Thai Meteorological Department (1991–2020 normals), Thai Hotels Association via TTG Asia. With rooms that full, book early if you want to stay inside or near the moat.
Rules and safety
Playing safely in Chiang Mai
In 2026 the moat was an alcohol-free zone (being checked) (Time Out Chiang Mai). In an earlier year the province went further and limited alcohol sales from 1 to 21 April, with set hours for licensed venues (being checked) (Bangkok Post).
At temples, cover shoulders and knees, and don’t splash monks. National rules and fines are in our water fight guide.
Skip the scooter
Songkran 2026’s seven danger days saw 242 road deaths across Thailand, and motorcycles were in 64.55% of accidents on the last day (Road Safety Command Center via Thai PBS). Walk or take a Grab around the moat.
Keep moat water out of your mouth
Officials tested the moat before Songkran 2026 and called it safe for splashing, not for drinking (being checked) (Time Out Chiang Mai).
Plan for the heat
The normal April high in the north is 37.2 °C. Splash at midday, rest in the shade, drink water.
Medical emergency
Call 1669.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai for Songkran
The festival happens on foot around the Old City. Staying close means you can walk to the water and back.
Old City (inside the moat)
Steps from the moat, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. Cars barely move here during the festival, so check how you will reach your hotel from the airport.
Tha Phae Gate and Night Bazaar
Next to the family zone at Tha Phae Gate, and close to the Chang Khlan market stalls that sell buckets, water guns and phone pouches.
Nimmanhaemin
For the stage parties and the malls, MAYA and One Nimman. The moat is a Grab ride away.
The links open Klook’s full Chiang Mai hotel list; search by area or use the map to narrow it. We may earn a commission if you book; it costs you nothing extra and never decides what we list. We have not found a reliable source on how much Chiang Mai hotel prices change at Songkran, so we do not quote a figure.
Questions people ask
When is Songkran 2027 in Chiang Mai?
The public holidays are Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April 2027. Chiang Mai’s own programme runs longer; in 2026 it ran from 6 to 17 April, according to Time Out Chiang Mai. The 2027 programme has not been announced yet.
Where is the water fight in Chiang Mai?
Around the Old City moat, at Tha Phae Gate and along Nimmanhaemin Road. The moat is the biggest; Tha Phae Gate is the family zone; Nimman is busiest at night.
What is the Phra Phuttha Sihing procession?
On 13 April one of Chiang Mai’s most revered Buddha images is carried on a float from Wat Phra Singh through the city. People pour scented water and throw flower petals as it passes.
What is Pi Mai Mueang?
It is the northern Thai (Lanna) name for the new year. In Chiang Mai 13 April is Wan Sungkan Long, 14 April is Wan Nao and 15 April is Wan Phaya Wan, each with its own customs.
Can you drink alcohol on the Chiang Mai moat at Songkran?
Not in 2026: Time Out Chiang Mai reported the moat as an alcohol-free zone. The 2027 rules have not been announced.
Is the moat water safe?
Before Songkran 2026 officials tested the moat and said the water was safe for splashing but not for drinking, according to Time Out Chiang Mai. Keep it out of your mouth and eyes.
How do I get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok for Songkran?
Fly into Chiang Mai International Airport or take the train. The State Railway says reserved seats go on sale up to 180 days ahead, which would put April 2027 trains on sale already; we are still confirming that rule.
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