The best things to do in Chiang Mai this weekend (May 7-10)

The only rule here is simple: no phones. It sounds obvious, but it shifts the mood instantly. The Mindful Escape leans into slow, offline connection – reading, journalling, knitting, or just sitting with people without a screen light. Art supplies and colouring sheets are laid out, conversation prompts help break the ice, and the phone ban is self-policed. It works because everyone shows up for the same reason: to be present for a few hours.

May 9. B100 per person. The Yard Hostel Chiang Mai. 2pm-6pm

FRINGE goes all in this weekend with two back-to-back markets that pull in different crowds. Saturday is their biggest flea yet – stalls fully booked, a proper mix of secondhand clothes, small makers and that loose, social energy that turns browsing into a full evening. Sunday shifts to runners, with the Introvert Running Club hosting a secondhand gear market – expect affordable shoes, plenty of kit, a live DJ and cold beers once you’re done digging.

May 9-10. Free entry. Fringe. 3pm-11pm (Sat), 4.30pm-midnight (Sun)

Jing Jai Market keeps things stripped back on Fridays with its Minimal Rustic theme. Local crafters and small brands focus on well-made, considered pieces – no over-design, no mass-produced feel. Everything here leans tactile and intentional. On the third Friday of the month, a random dance showcase pops up – somewhere between flash mob and organised chaos. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to ease into the weekend.

May 8. Free entry. Jing Jai Market. 4pm-9pm

Think Park's flea market has a reputation for a reason. It’s the kind of place where secondhand actually feels curated – silver jewellery, band tees, vintage handkerchiefs, and pieces with a bit of history behind them. Prices stay grounded, and the vendors are often as interesting as what they’re selling – easily some of the best-dressed people in the city. Even if you leave empty-handed, you’ll leave with ideas.

May 9. Free entry. Think Park. 5pm-11pm

Durian season isn’t easing up. Central Chiang Mai turns its ground floor into a full-on durian playground – ice creams, cakes, Thai desserts and crepes that soften the fruit’s usual punch. If you’re still undecided on durian, this is the place to test it in a more forgiving format. The crepes, in particular, tend to win people over. 

May 6-12. Free entry. Central Chiangmai. Open 11am-9.30pm

This isn’t a standard dinner service. Supper Society 3 moves you through Four Seasons Chiang Mai’s grounds, starting with a welcome drink at the Yoga Barn overlooking the rice fields before settling into a nine-course dinner. Three award-winning chefs – including Chef Bank from MasterChef Thailand – build each course around personal memories of Chiang Mai and its produce. The evening wraps at Khao Bar with a dessert tied back to the landscape. It’s a setting that only really works here.

May 9. From B5,200 per person. Book ahead, call 053 298 181 or email fb.chiangmai@fourseasons.com. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. From 6pm 

A rave in the hills, running 14 hours straight. Cheeky Mountain Festival handles logistics for you with a party bus from Top North Hotel, so it’s a straight shot from city to mountains. The afternoon starts light – pool party, water games, free BBQ, a nearby waterfall if you want to wander – then flips into a full rave after dark. Six international DJs run Afro house, tech house, techno and psy trance through to 6am. Capacity stays limited, which keeps the energy tight.

May 9. Tickets from B300. Book here. Pick-up at Top North Hotel. 4pm-6am

Hotel bars are not uncommon, but what is uncommon is when they have something extra worth visiting for. The Marriott’s Wang Bar is one of these spots, where the bar is less about the drinks (although they’re still very good) and more about the experience. Inside, you’ll find three zones that are all about the fun, packed with massive-size golf simulators, private karaoke rooms and e-gaming setups that are a blast – all starting at just B750 per hour. At the bar, golf-inspired drinks make up the menu, served in a plush yet authentic Lanna-heritage style setting. A great start to the long holidays, or a nice filler after the splashing is over next weekend. 

Now open. Free entry, B750 per hour of activity. Wang Bar, Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel. Open Wed-Sun, 2pm-midnight.

This exhibition at Deja Gallery invites you to sit with a question most of us have asked ourselves at least once: what if a different choice had been made? Featuring works by Jood Jung, Ignat Martynov, Chae Sengkwon, Jessica Chen, Kotaro Yokomizo and Christine Cho, the exhibition explores how we carry our past and the quiet weight of decisions left behind. Each piece approaches that theme differently, making the experience feel personal rather than prescriptive.

Feb 13-May 22. Free. Deja Gallery. Open Mon, Wed-Sun 8.30am-5pm