The best things to do in Chiang Mai this weekend (Sep 11-14)

Swap your shoes for a swimsuit and head to ARISE Rooftop Bar for an open-house pool party that brings summer Latin vibes to our beloved northern Thai city. Expect salsa, bachata, kizomba, reggaeton and Brazilian funk playing all afternoon long, with DJ D spinning from 4pm and DJ FuFu taking over from 6.30pm. Float, sip, dance or just soak up the good vibes – no ticket or invite required, but it’s easy to support the venue by buying a drink or two at the bar.

Sep 13. Free. ARISE Rooftop Bar, AManor Hotel. 3pm-9pm

Chiang Mai’s favourite climbing gym is turning one, and they’re throwing a neon-lit bash to celebrate. From 3pm, DJs from Poy Fest (sampling their sets for the upcoming Poy Festival in December) join forces with DJ Aku to bring the beats, setting the soundtrack for games, prizes, lucky draws and a special night climb under blacklights. The dress code is neon – of course – so come glowing for a climb. Scale walls at 5.30pm on a headlamp climb or just vibe with the Main Wall fam. 

Sep 13. Party access comes with a day pass and equipment hire (free for members with gear). Main Wall Climbing Gym. 4pm-8pm. 

Set yourself up for a genre-bending night that swerves from art rock to acid jazz with a heavy dose of OriginaLive weirdness in between. Mosey on down to the moat for a triple bill of bands, featuring Boy Paco, Born in Burma and Chiang Mai legends, Terror Terror. Pulling from all three corners of the city’s underground music scene, this is no doubt an eclectic ride best enjoyed with friends. 

Sep 12. B200. Chiang Mai OriginaLive. 8pm-late. 

Chiang Mai’s quirkiest new festival is here, and it’s not short on surprises. Over three days, the Moo Get Fair lights up the International Convention Centre out on the canal road with some uniquely eccentric northern-Thai style competitions. Over three days, the market and event hall will feature teen cover dance battles, larb cookoff competitions and the exceptional Thida Maha Moo – where beauty pageant hopefuls show off their best mystical arts live on stage. This festival blends performance, talent and Lanna identity through a dazzling lineup of competitive nonsense. 

Sep 12-14. Free. Chiang Mai International Convention Centre. 10am-9pm.

Love it or hate it, the star of InterCon’s afternoon tea this month is the Jackfruit. Smelly, strong but devilishly versatile, who knew this tropical fruit could be so chic? All September long, sample this Thai twist on the classic afternoon tea with servings of sweet and savoury bites inspired by the golden-hued fruit. Tea and coffee are included but add a bit of bubble to proceedings with a sparkling glass of prosecco. It is the weekend after all.  

1-30 Sep. B950 per person (B1,150 with a glass of prosecco). KAM Lobby Lounge, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping. 

Spend three immersive hours with Uri Herbs in a workshop filled with creation, laughter and indulgence. You'll learn the secrets of aromatherapy as you craft three natural products. After carefully tweaking your personal scents, enjoy a light meal with hot and cold drinks, accompanied by music to enhance the creative atmosphere. To conclude the evening, take home a luxurious basket with your handcrafted products and recipe cards to continue your creations at home.

Sep 11. B1380, women only. Sri Phum corner (location revealed on booking). 6pm-9pm

Anantara Chiang Mai transforms its historic teak mansion into a hub of creativity this September with Artistry in Bloom – a month-long program featuring free live concerts from young classical musicians from Prem International School. Enjoy the ‘Whispers of the East’ afternoon tea where you can paint your own edible canvas, and ‘MĀEYE: The Eye That Sees with Love’, a moving exhibition by artist Hom Nguyen exploring the bond between mother and child. 

Sep 6-30 (concerts Sep 6 and 13). Free, schedule here. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort.

What if your identity wasn’t based on what you buy – but what you grow, share and co-create? That’s the guiding question behind this immersive course, hosted jointly by the Pun Pun community in Mae Taeng and the indigenous P’gakenyoa people of Hin Lad Nai, Chiang Rai. Across two sacred sites, explore what it means to reconnect with the land, the self and each other through ancestral practices, community rituals and ecological living.  This in-depth course offers hands-on learning for topics such as seed saving, wild foraging, traditional farming, organic cooking and even forest beekeeping. A rare collaboration between two inspiring communities offers a chance to slow down, go deep and reimagine what natural life could be.

June 6-11 and Nov 2-7. B12,000, email punpuncourses@gmail.com for registration. Pun Pun Organic Farm and Learning Centre.