The best weekend markets in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s inner-city walking street market is less of a market and more of a weekly pilgrimage. Every Sunday from late afternoon, Ratchadamnoen Road in the old city transforms into a chaotic, colourful maze of market stalls, food vendors, musicians, buskers and opportunistic artists. For visitors, it’s a postcard combination of local life – with a heady mix of handicrafts, hilltribe textiles, take home trinkets and enough coconut pancakes to warrant a second stomach. Street performers line the route, adding to the cacophony of sounds and scents of incense and foot oils that float in the air. Start at the Thapae Gate entrance and go early (around 4pm-5pm) before the crowds get so big you’ll find yourself in a bottleneck next to a fiery hot grilled squid vendor. Touristy? Yes. But also irresistible. A true buffet of northern Thai culture, served curbside all in one place. 

Time Out tip: If something catches your eye, it’s often best to just grab it. Sure, a cheaper one may show up later down the line but if it doesn’t, good luck retracing your steps in the one-way human shuffle.

Every Sunday. Ratchadamnoen Road. 4pm-10pm. 

As the other main walking street market in the city, it may not get the same fanfare as the Sunday market but ask any local and they’ll say this is where the charm lies. Set along the former silversmith district just south of the moat on Wua Lai road, this market is less frantic, more neighbourly and full of goodies that don’t bear that typical ‘made in China’ hallmark. Vendors here sell a fair share of souvenirs, interspersed with street food, silver jewellery, handmade soaps, indigo dye clothing and the occasional stall selling mystery gadgets that you’ll absolutely never need to use but always find yourself buying. Although it remains busy (especially in high season) the vibe is generally a little more laid-back, local and with a little more space to stop, browse and munch down on some grilled pork sticks in peace. 

Time Out tip: Market vendors take up the main street and often block views of the shophouses behind. These remain open and often have some more genuine Chiang Mai items for sale – anything from locally mined silver to old vinyl records and bespoke ceramics. 

Every Saturday. Wua Lai Road. 4pm-10pm

First opened as a market some 700 years ago, Warorot Market (also known as Kad Luang) is Chiang Mai’s oldest and most historical market district. Sprawling in all directions off the banks of the Ping River east of the city, it's one of those market spots where aunties reign supreme. Supplying most of the city, you can buy anything from fresh meat to dried squid, sparkly hair clips and giant funeral wreaths. Butting up against the city’s tiny Chinatown, it’s easy to get lost in the labyrinth of indoor and outdoor sois, packed to the brim with fabrics, hill tribe embroidery, fresh flowers, classic Thai kitchen utensils and snacks that look like they were packaged in 1993. This market is where the locals shop, and it shows. 

Time Out tip: The earlier you arrive, the more you’ll find. Most vendors here start early and go home once their wares are sold. However, a few big names like Chiang Mai Plastic, Thamel Coffee and Thana Ocha Noodle serve customers all day.  

Open daily, busier at weekends. Chang Moi Road and Wichayanon Road. 6am-6pm.

Just like every other Night Bazaar you’ll find in Thailand, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the city’s OG tourist trap, in all the best ways possible. Open most nights and sprawling across a few city blocks near the Ping River just east of the Old City, the market presents a dizzying mix of elephant trousers, tools and trinkets, tailors, electronics and toys, as well as a fair few vendors peddling knock-off bags, shirt, trainers and accessories. If that’s not your thing, duck down one of the many side alleys and find the real ‘gems’ of the market – art, antiques, bizarre decor and a number of hidden beer gardens. Kalare and Anusarn food courts also serve up a tasty selection of papaya salad and grilled meats with occasional pairings of boxing, cabaret or live music performances. Needless to say, this market is a fever dream of commercialised culture, but hey, it wouldn’t be a Thai city without one. 

Time Out tip: Most vendors overprice their goods with the expectation of haggling. However, people in the north are less aggressive in the markets than those elsewhere, so haggle politely with a smile for best results. 

Every night, busiest at weekends. Chang Khlan Road. 5pm-11pm

If walking streets are the hectic whirlwind experience, Jing Jai is the cooler, calmer cousin – think friendly food vendors and coffee served from campervans to straw hat-, tote bag-wearing tourists. Situated in a dedicated market area just north of the Old City owned by Central Group, the space weighs heavily on vendors and permanent store owners with a green, local and organic twist. The feeling is wholesome, with some really unique and special things on sale under leafy trees and enriched by acoustic live music. In the heart, there’s a special Tops Green – specialising in fresh local produce and organic products, plus a few isles of your regular supermarket stock. The market runs all day, so either go early for breakfast before the influencers roll in, or head over in the late afternoon, grab a can of beer and enjoy a stroll. 

Time Out tip: If you’re a sucker for retro threads and vintage collectables, their special Vintage Market takes place every first Friday of the month where Chiang Mai’s secondhand scene gets its moment to shine under the twinkle of fairy lights and vinyl DJ-backed nostalgia. 

Every weekend and first Friday of the month. Atsadathon Road. 8am-8pm weekends, 5pm-9pm for Vintage Market. 

A special entry due to its charitable nature, Bamboo Family Market is quaint, small but absolutely worth a visit. In a surprisingly green area just off the Sankampeng Junction (ring road three), the market makes a point of providing meaningful employment for refugees and ethnic minorities. The market is zero-waste and a haven for those who enjoy Myanmar food, local crafts and shared cultural activities. The bamboo amphitheatre is packed with stalls selling everything from vegan treats to eco-friendly goods and natural products all crafted by local artisans. In the centre, a stage hosts acoustic performances in Thai, Myanmar and Laos – each one celebrating heritage in a safe and friendly space. 

Time Out tip: Bring your own bags as this market is strictly no-waste, no-plastic. Even their free water is served in big glass cups that you’re encouraged to carry around with you as you explore. 

Every weekend. Sanggadee Space, 121 Highway Road, San Kamphaeng. 9am-4pm.

If you want to check out the Chiang Mai student scene and find out what kids these days are doing after class, look no further than Kad Na Mor – Chiang Mai University’s night market that’s equal parts street food haven and Gen-Z fashion runway. As classes come to a close, hoards of uniformed students descend into this sprawling market of fried food, boba tea and endless stalls selling bargain clothing and accessories. Here you’ll find everything you ever wanted when you were eighteen – from oversized tees, Korean cosmetics and over-the-top accessories. It’s loud, chaotic and very fun for all ages, with some serious bargains to be found if you look hard enough.

Time Out tip: Arrive hungry. There's an entire zone dedicated to food, and while the prices are student-friendly, the flavours punch well above their weight. Follow the student crowds as the longest queue usually leads to the best bite.

Every night but most lively Thur-Sun. Huay Kaew Road, opposite CMU. 5pm-10pm

Tucked away along the side of One Nimman, White Market is where Japanese minimalism meets Lanna charm. A highly curated affair, this single row of stalls showcases some of the best handicrafts, ceramics, handmade clothing and delicate jewellery this side of the city – all crafted by Chiang Mai’s creative community. This one is less about haggling and more about discovering that perfect, one-of-a-kind artisanal product. The atmosphere is relaxed and connects into the cobbled shopping and food courtyards of One Nimman. 

Time Out tip: Chiang Mai’s creative crowd isn’t known for early starts, so don’t bother showing up at opening hour as half the stalls will still be closed. Instead, aim for late-afternoon when things are in full swing, the sun’s a little softer and the vibe pairs perfectly with a glass of wine in the courtyard.

Friday-Sunday. One Nimman, Nimmanhaemin Road. 3pm-9pm.

Half market, half artist community, this village began as a space for artisanal students to test out workshops and sell their creative wares. A decade later and it’s grown into a hotch potch of towering wooden structures that feel more Diagon Alley than Thai market. The leafy enclave is home to a range of modern studios, tight-nit artist shops and daily workshops that are both fun and educational. There’s a central amphitheatre for events and on Sundays, a mellow morning market brings in organic produce, baked goods and even more handmade treasures to discover. 

Time Out tip: Come with enough time to spare – walking around will take the best part of an hour or more, but you’ll likely stumble across a workshop or activity that may add on a few more hours than you first anticipated. 

Open Tues-Sun, most lively at weekends. Soi Wat Umong, Suthep. 11am-6pm (Sundays 8am-1pm) 

If Chiang Mai’s weekend markets are all about artisanal soaps and fancy coffee, then Sanpatong Buffalo Market is the antidote – raw, rural and unapologetically real. Located some 20 miles out of the city, this market is an outlier in both geography and theme, it's where you’ll find farmers, traders and curious visitors haggling over livestock, fighting cocks, motorbikes and machetes. Part livestock auction, part flea market, there’s a lot more than just buffalo, but it’s all certified local. Kicking off at around 5am, non-locals are advised to go early, eat local food for breakfast and only place a bid on a buffalo if your hotel has a garden.

Time Out tip: This is one for those who want a true local experience and aren’t afraid of trying something new. Bring cash, wear sturdy shoes and don’t be shy about trying the fried crickets or the market’s famous grilled bee hive skewers.

Saturdays. Route 108, Sanpatong District. 5am-11am.