Throw colours in the air at Chiang Mai’s Holi Festival celebration

It’s that time of year once again and the city is swapping water throwing for splashes of colour as Chiang Mai University’s Cultural Square gets covered in neon powder in celebration of Holi Festival, the Hindu Festival of Colours. Knowing the city, there’s a clever mix of Bharata culture and Lanna influences on display, with the whole day packed with music, art, food and fun – all while raising funds for local charitable initiatives. Aside from the colour throwing, there are workshops on rangoli art, mandala making and henna writing, as well as a ton of food stalls selling everything from Indian classics to local faves – don’t miss a cooling glass of thandai, the classic Indian milk drink. On stage (of course there’s a stage) things are kept lively with Hindustani classical music performances and kirtan sessions featuring both international and Thai artists. While the day stays relatively ‘clean’, by sunset the grand finale kicks off at which point the powder comes out and a Bollywood dance party takes over to welcome the changing season.

Mar 7. Free. Cultural Square, Chiang Mai University. 11am-8.30pm