The best things to do this weekend in Chiang Mai (April 9-12)

Get ready to get soaked at Warmup Splash 2026, with the front zone of the café transforming into a full-on splash zone that blends wet, wild fun with high-energy beats. Leading the charge are local and international DJs including Spacemonkey x Austin, Fluke x Lekiize, Youkeep and Alyshia. 

Likely a popular spot, entry is free – all you need are your best dance moves and maybe a change of clothes if you’re taking a Grab home – but beware it fills up fast. Spend over B1,000 and score a complimentary waterproof pouch celebrating Warm Up’s 27th anniversary – great if you’ve yet to get yourself one for this year’s Songkran adventures. 

April 11-15. Free entry. Warm Up Cafe. From 7pm-late

Arguably the most anticipated Songkran party in Chiang Mai, MAYA is once again turning Nimman into a full-on water-fighting playground with Singha Summer Club from April 11-15. Five nights of chaos, fun and nonstop splashes await as the front square becomes the ultimate Songkran battlefield.

Each night brings a fresh lineup of Thai artists and DJs, including crowd favourites like Getsunova, Lazyloxy, The Parkinson, Lipta and even Show Me the Money finalist Milli, alongside a selection of the city’s finest DJs keeping the energy sky-high. Whether you know the acts or not, you’ll leave soaked and smiling.

April 11-15. Free entry. MAYA Lifestyle Mall. DJs start the day from 2pm and big name artists perform late into the night.

Chiang Mai’s malls always know how to throw a Songkran party, and Central Chiang Mai (also known as Central Festival) is going all out this year. Technically not this weekend, but with the long holiday, it all feels like one big weekend anyway.

The Chiang Mai Songkran Fun Fest promises a fresh lineup each night – kicking off with Manassawee, followed by Sweet Mullet and Num Kala, and wrapping up on April 15 with Potato and Klear. DJs keep the beats rolling in between, so there’s never an awkward pause waiting for the next act. This one’s also kid-friendly, with children under 10 getting in free. Just remember to pack a pair of earbuds for when the music hits full blast, they can’t help but turn it up to 11.

April 13-15. Prices vary, starting from B99 per day. Central Chiang Mai. 4pm-midnight

If you’ve been to the newly refurbishedCentral Chiang Mai Airport, you’ll notice that its ground floor has undergone some serious cultural renovations.Playing into this new/old style, the area will turn into a Lanna-style playground with a cartoonish difference from April 9-15. Creatively titled ‘Ton Kwen: Roots Rewired’ artist Mig_Mig (aka Dr. Chompoonoot Chomphurat) reimagines centuries of Lanna architecture in bold, comic-style 3D art – including a six-metre viharn wat ton kwen right in the middle of the mall.

Catch Om Rattanang and the Nimman Street Orchestra fusing traditional instruments with orchestral vibes, splash in blessings from miniature pagodas and iconic Buddha images. While you’re there, nibble your way through local eats at Kad Ngua Tid Air and  go all out by renting a traditional Thai dress for some photos to keep. A creative, unforgettable way to spend Songkran that’s sans splashing. Inside at least.

April 9-15. Free entry. Central Chiang Mai Airport. 11am-9pm, 10am-9pm on weekends.

The ever-popular artist village Baan Kang Wat is rolling out a special Songkran edition packed with activities you can only catch this month. From April 4-15, join in merit-making, Buddha-washing rituals and hands-on craft workshops.

Special highlights on April 10-11 include a retro ram wong dancing performance (we always love a bit of trad northern dancing) and Lao traditional dance shows (also known as Baslop)  led by local mums. This community-focused celebration is perfect for the family with a good helping of cultural immersion all set in the charming village. While you’re there, don’t miss the winding alleys of craft and trinket shops where you can stock up on various ‘New Year’ gifts, if so inclined. 

April 4-15. Free entry. Baan Kang Wat. 10am-6pm, closed Mondays

From April 10-15, The Backyard Mahidol is the neighborhood Songkran hangout perfect for families looking for something a little more low-key but still very much with the vibe. In the mix you’ll find religious water-pouring rituals, sand pagoda building and you can even hand decorate your very own traditional flags (tung) at the Riva Market.

Aside from the traditions, cultural performances come way of Baan Kru Kai Art School on April 13 and workshops cutting zodiac-patterned flags on April 13-14. The dedicated kids’ zone makes it even easier, with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. This is six days of tradition, workshops and lighthearted fun.

April 10-15. Free entry, spend B200 for a limited edition waterproof pouch. The Backyard Mahidol. Open 10am-8pm

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.

Put the dating apps down and get soaked instead. Think Park's Songkran for Singles party on April 11 is the indie-pop night for anyone singing their heart out whether they're fresh from a heartbreak or simply thriving solo. Not enough? Come back for Night Songkran from April 12-15 for four full nights of water-fuelled mayhem with DJs including Leeloy, Pharaoh, Hongtae and Newclear.

April 11-15. Free entry. Think Park. Mid-afternoon until midnight

Chiang Mai’s caffeine-fueled daytime rave is back this weekend at Fringe. Five DJs will be spinning the beats while the team serves up their signature coffee and matcha to keep you energised and moving. Whether you’re here to dance, meet new people or just soak up the vibes, this is the perfect way to party without the hangover. The energy starts early and keeps rolling and, if you stick around long enough, the outdoor BBQ party takes over without you even noticing, swapping coffee for much harder drinks that go deep into the night. 

April 11. Free entry. Fringe. From 1pm-6pm

Skip the crowds and get a head start on Songkran with a short lift ride eight floors up to ARISE Rooftop Bar, bringing poolside energy and Nimmanhaemin views to the start of the holidays. This is one of those pre-game parties that really set the mood, and a good excuse to go full splash mode before the festival officially kicks off. 

The approach is laid-back, starting with an afternoon of music, food and drinks before turning into a full-blown rooftop pool party session by the evening hours. Aside from the pool, splash station and drink deals tailor to the crowd, setting the tone for the week ahead with good vibes and space to actually enjoy it.

April 11. ARISE Rooftop Bar. 3pm-late

The streets of Chiang Mai during Songkran are hardly a stylish affair – after all, even your best threads will be soaked in moat water by the end. So, it could be enticing to hear that HYDR Rooftop bar in Nimman is keeping things on-vibe high above the street level with a two–day Miami-themed party in collaboration with Masometop. We’re talking million-dollar views, non-stop house, afrobeat, drum ‘n’  bass and Miami bass (very on-theme) and a distinct blue-pink hue. Walk-in prices go up the later you arrive, so if you’re planning to commit, turn up early for the best rates. Coming as a group? Why not ‘splash-out’ on a table for up to 8 people that includes beers and buckets in the price. 

April 13-14. HYDR Rooftop Nimman. B250 (4pm-6pm), B300 (6pm-7.30pm) and B350 (7.30pm-close). VIP tables from B2,200, book via Line @hydr_rooftop_nimman. 4pm-midnight

Getting soaked this Songkran is inevitable – so you might as well do it riverside in an all-white outfit at Anantara's pool. Antonio Sax, DJ Cameron Glasgow and DJ BYAS are flying in especially, running from 3pm to 8pm as the sun goes down over the Mae Ping River.

Entry starts at B690 with one drink included, or go all in at B2,200 for two hours of food and drinks from 4pm to 6pm. Knowing Anantara's reputation for traditional recipes with a creative twist, the food alone makes the upgrade worth it.

Sort your white outfit now – the dress code of all-white is non-negotiable and the setting deserves the effort.

April 12. From B690 per person. Tickets here. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort. 3pm-8pm.

Larb is a classic – Isan or Northern, there’s not many dishes that top the Thai table than this meaty salad. This weekend, the city rekindles its love for the dish with an all-out celebration of larb in all flavours and styles, from  minced meat or fish, to beef and buffalo, all mixed with fresh herbs and various spice mixes that reflect the many regions, communities and households.

If you’ve never tried it before, this festival is the perfect introduction, featuring every type of larb you can imagine, from larb pla fan som from Doi Tao and larb pla neow from Chom Thong to raw meat larb servings for the more iron bellied. Although it’s not just about tasting; the Larb Reinterpretation competition lets chefs put their own creative spin on the dish, offering a live MasterChef style experience that’s not to be missed.

April 11-12. Free entry. Huan Sor Hong, Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center. From 11am-6pm

Songkran celebrations in three different ways across three days. Yoda’s CNX Gallery kicks things off on April 10 with underground beats from North Beans, House of Priests, G6PD and more. April 11 blends hip hop and rock, featuring Hell Boys Squed, Dirty Heaven and Fluid Frequency. For the metalheads, April 12 showcases TSAR BOMBA, 12 ROAD and NEVERBRIAN. Each night includes a free drink with entry, so grab a drink and snag a spot on the dance floor for this pre-Songkran Sonkgran party.

April 10-12. B250 for April 10 and 11, B200 for April 12. From 9pm-midnight

Can bad art save you? Tear Factory Boy seems to think so. Bad Art Saves My Life, now showing at Head High Second Floor, leans into disappointment, jealousy and creative-industry burnout though art that is full of humour and meme-friendly faces. Spread across three interconnected rooms, the show moves from ‘The Money Face’ – a sharp jab at NFT-era art-market greed – to a room full of memes, where internet hilarity is reproduced through physical art and paint culture. Then, drag yourself out of the depths of Reddit to the ‘Not Ready Readymade’ room, where you’ll find everyday objects transformed with poems, jokes and quotes. This exhibition is best described as a portrait of our times – anxious, hyper-capitalised, chronically online and coping the only way we know how: through humour. 

Feb 28-Apr 10. Free. Head High Second Floor. Opening night 6pm, Feb 28

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