The best things to do in Chiang Mai this weekend (May 28-31)

A new vintage market is launching this weekend and the location alone makes it worth checking out. REUNION Vintage Flea Market is setting up at the Boon Yoo Parking Lot near Wat Ket by the Ping River – a peculiar but rather fitting space for browsing secondhand clothing in a more atmospheric than usual way. Beyond authentic vintage and quality secondhand finds, ding through vinyl records, art and home décor – all ready and waiting to join your home collection. This is the first edition but they're planning to be back every Saturday and Sunday evening from here on out – a good reason to show up now and claim you were there from the beginning.

May 30-31. Free entry. Boon Yoo Parking Lot. From 5pm-11pm

Tekno.CNX's monthly rave is one of the more reliable fixtures on Chiang Mai's underground music calendar and this one has a particularly good lineup – DJs from Thailand, France and South Africa taking you on a six-hour techno journey at Liquid Room. Only 100 tickets are available for early birds and come with a free drink, so the window to get in cheap is narrow. The party starts at 9pm and runs until the early hours.

May 29. Early bird tickets are B200, general admission is B300. Book here. Liquid Room. From 9pm until late

Now the air is better, Meta Mall is eagerly bringing back weekly aerobics dance parties and the brief is simple – show up, move your body and have a good time. This free, open-air community event is genuinely fun regardless of your coordination skills, and no dance experience is required. No sign-up and no equipment is needed either – just turn up after work and let the music lead you into the rest. Running Thursday through Saturday this week from 6pm to 7pm, this may be the most productive hour you'll spend all week.

May 28-30. Free entry. Meta Mall. From 6pm-7pm

Get Rotate Maa Get – the local farmers market out in San Phi Sua – is back this weekend with a honey-themed bonanza and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Fresh seasonal fruit served at peak sweetness joins a medley of locally harvested honey – fresh honeycombs, locally potted jars and no glucose syrup fillers in sight. Beyond the honey, the market still has it’s usual lineup of locally crafted goods from makers in the area, along with workshops and live music that adds a soft soundtrack to the afternoon. And for anyone who wants to understand where their honey actually comes from, educational stations do the heavy lifting as you follow the life and process around bees, honey and harvesting. 

May 30-31. Free entry. Get Farmily. From 4pm-9pm

No set list, no plan, just musical instinct and a cool bar to match it. If you’re not familiar with them, Unsaved State are worth the Spotify search. If you like what you hear, then hear it live at 828 Alleyway where they’ll be going hard with a fully improvised live set of techno, acid and breaks this Friday. Shaped by ‘whatever feels right in the moment’, the music will be varied and viscous. Beyond the performance itself, the evening also offers a look behind the scenes at how their live sets come together, making it as interesting for electronic music newcomers as it is for existing fans. B150 includes a welcome drink for something that by definition will never happen exactly the same way again.

May 30. Tickets are B150 including a welcome drink. 828 Alleyway. From 8pm onwards

Ever opened TikTok to see those random K-pop dances popping off on the streets of Seoul? Well, if you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be in one, this Sunday is your chance. The format, lifted straight from Seoul, is simple – forms a wide circle with the rest of the crowd and a song plays. If anyone knows the choreography, they rush in and perform it until the song cuts and a new one begins. The most popular K-pop, T-pop and TikTok dance hits make up the playlist and even if you’re not fully versed in the dance, nobody stops you from trying. High energy, completely free and impossible not to enjoy once you're in the middle of it.

May 31. Free entry. The Backyard Mahidol. From 6pm-8pm

Sapphic Riot is going all in for Pride with a full festival and every event is worth showing up for. It kicks off on May 20 with a screening of ‘I Saw the TV Glow’ – a psychological horror film exploring identity and suppression – followed by poster and sign making for the parade. May 23 keeps the doors open with special live performances and DJs turning the energy up considerably. On May 24 they'll be walking at the parade – dress code is brown pink or black pink. The after party returns to the club after the parade wraps up and on May 30 the festival closes with a mirror painting workshop.

May 20-30. Free entry. Sapphic Riot. For event timings click here

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.