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Chiang Mai’s festival scene isn’t exactly short on guitars, hippies and golden-hour folk. In fact, Northern Thailand has, in the last few years, become a circuit of its own – where live bands, local sounds and day-trance DJs dominate the hills most winter weekends.
But Thantawan Festival never quite followed the script.
When it first emerged, Thantawan positioned itself as the outlier: Chiang Mai’s biggest DJ-forward, lifestyle-leaning weekender. While other fests played into the acoustic and rootsy feel of Chiang Mai, founder Damian Johnston and his crew were flying in international selectors – stacking lineups with house, techno and sunrise sets that stretched well past sensible bedtimes.
It sat slightly on the fringes of the city’s music ecosystem – not fully underground, not fully mainstream – yet still managed to pull serious crowds, with electronic devotees jetting in from across the globe to dance its stages.
However, scenes evolve – and so do the festivals that define them.
This February 20-22, Thantawan Festival marks a bold new pivot in a bid to attract a larger Thai audience – and it might just be the reset the festival needs. Trading a heavily DJ-dominated bill for an almost endless list of bands – including some of Thailand's hottest acts – gives the festival a whole new energy. It’s less Berlin-in-the-mountains and more Glastonbury-in-Thailand, a sunflowery-glow up that will no doubt be make or break.
Live headliners this year include Thai rap icon 1MILL, everybody’s nostalgia pop-rock favourite Da Endorphine, smooth operator Burin and Luk Thung favourite Kong Huayrai, while local favourites like Suthep Band, Phased Plasma Rifle, DJ April and Dada Sun signals a new, confident embrace of homegrown sound.
Click here to get discount tickets, book camping and secure your spot before it sells out. Time Out readers get 20% off by using the code STAFF001 at checkout.
Gladrags at the ready
Under this year’s ‘Groovy Bloom’ theme, the aesthetic still leans hard into ‘60s and ‘70s flower-power nostalgia with retro-futuristic stage design, AI-driven visuals and plenty of sunflower-yellow flair. But musically, the vibe promises to be more communal, more lyrical and arguably more Chiang Mai-minded.
That’s not to say electronic fans are left in the dust. The festival still runs across three stages with over 40 artists spanning indie, pop, rock and electronic – and there’s a dedicated afterparty zone for those who still prefer their beats thumping into the early hours.
‘We realised that, given we’re in Thailand, most of our audience is Thai and we need to play to the strengths of the local music scene,’ says Damian. ‘Not only are we leaning into what people actually want, but we’re also opening people up to new music in a way that’s far more accessible than before.’
Beyond the music, Thantawan continues to flex its lifestyle credentials. An active art zone keeps free hands busy, while a creative market and food trucks galore promise more than just stage-hopping.
Families with kids are also well catered to, with a sizeable kids zone and more day-time acts to keep the energy high well before sunset. And for the green-minded, a dedicated ‘high zone’ makes its debut appearance for those who want to groove at their own altitude.
‘The high zone is the first place in Thailand to gain authorisation for cannabis shops to sell outside their registered premises,’ Damian adds. ‘This could be a monumental start to many more opportunities like it across Thailand – but we’re also making sure to keep the area separated and not distract festival goers who prefer not to be around smoke.’
Needless to say, if you’ve been before or you’re considering it for the first time – there’s plenty of reasons to check it out with a fresh pair of eyes.
Planning your weekend
If you’ve yet to secure tickets, you’re in luck. There are still a few going at a friendly B1,750 for the weekend (day passes are also available), but you can get 20% off by booking via this link here and using the code STAFF001 at checkout.
The festival takes place at Pang Fan Rock n’ River in Doi Saket, roughly 45 minutes from central Chiang Mai by car. Shuttle services will run from the city (B450 return from Central Festival, overnight parking allowed), but if you’re planning to stay late – or all night – camping is very much part of the experience.
Thantawan runs as a full 24-hour camping-friendly festival and you’ll need to purchase a camping package if you want to stay onsite. Prices start at B250 for a pitch pass (bring your own tent) and climb to B6,000 for VIP glamping for two – and there’s still a few left if you act quick. Prefer solid walls and air-con? There are also hotel packages in and around Doi Saket and Chiang Mai city.
And, it wouldn’t be a festival without a good ‘ole dress up. Fancy costumes are highly encouraged, with Damian actively keen to see everyone in attendance doll up with gladrags, flares and florals to fit the groovy theme. Sunflowers at the ready – Thantawan is finally in full bloom.