Lucie Grace

The sun is poking through the clouds and we’re kidding ourselves that rainy season is over, here in Time Out towers. So getting out to park meet ups, tasting sessions and of course the Chiang Mai special – live music happenings – feels right on time. This weekend is bookended by two killer but very different shows. Friday sees local heroes Chiang Mai Blues raising the roof with an intimate show at Nimman’s happening live music spot Ostinato, while things get raucous on Sunday as Chiang Mai’s hardcore scene is out in full force for WE ARE PUNK VOL.22, seeing Japanese bands Bound and Asphalt top a heady line up at Yoda’s CNX Gallery.  On Saturday, artist Jay Cheng is opening her art show at Studio 88 in Saket with a very ceremonial launch event, before the exhibition runs for a month. Cosy doplace, upstairs at Gooodcery, are hosting a two day Namprik loving supperclub, part tasting session, part cooking class, for those who can’t get enough of the spicy stuff. Then Sunday sees Retro Recess launch a new series in their fun focused portfolio of events, Playground Exchange, which will no doubt be as joyful and welcoming as their play based meet ups for grown ups prove to be. Time to get out there and mingle, whatever scene you’re into.

With over 300 temples in and around Chiang Mai, approximately 75 of which are inside the mighty walls of the old city, you could be forgiven for feeling totally overwhelmed by choice and confused as to where to start. Heading to a temple is all part of the Chiang Mai experience, whether you’re on holiday or based here. As a devoutly Buddhist city, everyday life almost certainly involves a temple – either religiously or communally – and big annual holidays like Songkran and Loy Krathong only add to the excitement. To help you decide which temples are worth sweating for – and introduce a few lesser-known favourites along the way – we've selected the five temples we think stand above the rest in Chiang Mai, based on how impressive, moving, historical or nature rich they are. So if you only have time to visit a handful of the city's ‘wats’, we'd make sure these top your list.

Young mums, new mums, mums of adults, mothers of communities – we see you all. It is your day. And if you've got any of these wonder women in your life, it’s time to show them some appreciation as mother’s day is upon us.  Chiang Mai is packed full of foodie treats, decadent spas and cultural days out, not to mention the day trips a short ride away, so we are not short of ways to treat her to a memorable Mother’s day. If anything there’s too much to choose from, so we’ve narrowed it down for you with five options of things to do on this upcoming national holiday that will guarantee happy moms / mums / mothers.  

Thailand is one of the best places for second-hand thrift shopping in Asia, with vintage shop owners from around the world coming to the Kingdom to buy suitcase loads of stock for their stores back in Europe, Australia and beyond. Which is savvy in a way – high-end vintage pieces by big names your grandparents would have fawned over are significantly more affordable here than overseas, especially if you’re an experienced collector and know what you’re looking for. On the cheap and cheerful side, container loads of secondhand essentials are shipped into Thailand on the daily, so we are undoubtedly a prime destination to hit up when in need of a wardrobe overhaul.  Bangkok’s huge scene gets a lot of footfall but do not sleep on Chiang Mai’s vintage micro industry. Over the years it’s blossomed into a hub that rivals the capital, thanks to the creative community that calls CNX home and a growing appetite for more sustainability minded secondhand buys over icky fast fashion.  It’s as if wherever you look, there’s vintage shops in every corner of the city. Places where you can find anything from carefully curated designer bits and old-west leather pieces to Y2K havens. The treasure hunt is real and the prices tasty…most of the time. Here’s our favourite spots in the city to give you just a flavour; we’d need a directory to list them all.

One of the great perks of spending any amount of time in Thailand’s northern capital is its close proximity to natural wonder. There are reams of great day trips to plot from Chiang Mai, many of which are less than an hour’s drive away from the city centre. With Songkran around the corner and burning season soon to be over (oh please, may the burning soon be over) – now is a great time to get planning cooler getaways. There’s even rumour that on the hills, the air quality is a little better – but either way planning for now or for once the smog has cleared has never been better timed.  From scenic mountain top cafes, valleys of waterfalls to rolling rice paddies – we’ve got some of Thailand’s favourite destinations on our doorstep – all great places to reconnect with nature in ways that aren’t ostentatiously over done. So get on your bike, catch a bus or hire a driver and work your way through our list of the best day trips from Chiang Mai right now, or for when the smoke clears. 

Burning season is upon us and with rainy season to soon follow, there’s no time like the present to prioritise indoor self care and float around the spas of the city. With spas, saunas, onsen and wellness centres on just about every street of our moderately-sized zen metropolis, narrowing it down was tough – especially when we take into account the cheaper spots. So we’ve done you a favour and gone for a range that spans all budgets. From the homely, local vibes at places like Heart N Soul to the most lux experiences in town at The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, here’s a list of eight of our faves. We also singled out the spas that offer something special or prioritise traditional Lanna practices – given that Chiang Mai was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, there’s a legacy of healing particular to the north, so why not make the most of it? You can get your oil massages anywhere. Tok Sen? That’s a niche to get into up here. Your limbs will thank you.  Pair your planning with seven of the best onsen in Chiang Mai

Hat Yai – the buzzing southern city recently hit by record-breaking floods – is back on its feet. And thanks to a new wave of young creatives determined to rebuild and reimagine it from the ground up, it’s quickly becoming one of Thailand’s most intriguing comeback stories. Thailand kicked off 2026 with record-breaking tourist numbers in the first two weeks of 2026, with Malaysians making the second largest source market for visitors after the Chinese, many crossing the southern border in search of a weekend escape. And instead of flying north to Phuket or Bangkok, more are pulling up in Hat Yai. So, on a recent trip organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, I headed south to see what’s new – and arrived just in time for Chinese New Year, a festival that runs surprisingly deep here. Dazzled by orange, red and electric-blue fireworks, I arrived straight into the action – firecrackers popping at my feet and a huge dancing dragon, powered by 20-odd impossibly nimble teenagers. The show is on a main thoroughfare in downtown Hat Yai, where a lot of links to China can be found, with gorgeous shrines and temples dotted at regular intervals. Photograph: Tourism Authority of Thailand For context: on November 22, the city and surrounding area – including the UNESCO listed, historic city Songkhla – received the highest rainfall it’s ever seen in 300 years of recorded history, driven by La Nina conditions and increasingly volatile climate patterns. But as dragon dancers swirl thr

New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai doesn’t stick to just one script – and that’s why we’re sharing a bit of everything to get you in the mood.    You can do the full movie-style moment under fireworks, lanterns and stage lights, dance your way into 2026 in a sweaty club corner, clink glasses over a long dinner or head for the hills to chant your way into a calmer, more enlightened version of yourself. Either way, Chiang Mai delivers every option for an end-of-year send-off that’s as varied as it is memorable – second only to the Thai New Year just a few months down the line.   From big-ticket countdowns and neighbourhood festivals to lantern-lit rituals and rooftop celebrations, here’s how Chiang Mai is welcoming 2026. Choose wisely. Or don’t. It’s only New Year’s Eve. 

Christmas in Chiang Mai might lack snowflakes and woolly jumpers, but it makes up for the lack of frost with sunshine, cocktails and a calendar bursting with events. Sure, the midday heat is real and Santa has likely swapped his red suit for a Hawaiian shirt, but the city is firmly in festive mode. Get ready for a packed few days of feasting, drinking, dancing and zero excuses to stay home.   You can absolutely do Christmas the classic way – piling plates high at indulgent spreads at Skugga Estate, Anantara or Melia – but that’s just the starting point. Elsewhere, Christmas Eve spills onto rooftops, into tiki bars and across dancefloors, with DJ-led blowouts, jungle parties, fire shows, markets and Chiang Mai-style celebrations that are far more exciting than sitting through another rerun on the sofa.   We say skip the stay-at-home movie marathon and lean into the tropics. Whether it’s refreshing rooftop cocktails, basslines till late, Christmas dinners with a twist or playing bar games into the night, this is December in Thailand – and Chiang Mai is doing it its own way. 

The mighty triangle of Thailand’s front row Muay Thai destinations – Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket – are busier than ever and for women in the sport, it all points north. Long established as a Muay Thai epicentre, Chiang Mai has been racing ahead of late as the frontrunner for female fighters. The north is making waves thanks to its women-led training gyms and vast numbers of local and international girls competing with more regular ‘lady fights’ than anywhere else in the country. We’ve even got the first female commentator of the ONE Championships in town – commuting down to BKK for her suited and booted, mic-wielding role. But how did Chiang Mai come to take centre stage?   Photograph: AKA Two-time World Muay Thai Council champion Teresa Wintermyr remembers visiting the north in 2007 and training in Pai for a month before having her first Chiang Mai fight. ‘Back then it was not common for women to fight at all. There were fight events almost every day and there'd be maybe one female fight every two weeks,’ she recollects, beaming. ‘I didn't mean for it to become a career, I just kept doing it.’ After gaining an impressive collection of belts and trophies she opened Sedthee Fight Club with her partner Sedthee Erawan (also a champion fighter). In the midst of a dwindling pandemic, they opened Chiang Mai’s first gym with an English-speaking female trainer. Word got around town that world champion Teresa, who’d been a regular on the fight circuit for over 15 years, was now a

Every mighty metropolis needs an artistic enclave, where for one reason or another, creatives elect to live, work and play. Think Paris’ Southbank, or New York’s Brooklyn in its heyday. Chiang Mai is no different and while we could argue that the whole city is a creative hub, one neighbourhood certainly stands out. Enter: Pong Noi, the leafy green village that stretches between Wat Umong and Wat Pong Noi, winding around the roads (pong noi meaning little curve or bend) in the foothills of our majestic Doi Suthep. It’s an easy going little hamlet that’s generally off the tourist trail, and is inherently calming while having a lot going on – so if you’re looking to spend some time in a part of the city that’s a little more calm and rustic, then explore our Chiang Mai neighbourhood guide to Pong Noi below. What’s Pong Noi known for? These days, when you first hear of Pong Noi, it’s either an invite to a creative workshop, an art event or because pizza is calling. Adirak Pizza has undoubtedly put the ‘hood on the map in the past couple of years and for good reason.  Why do the locals love it? Pong Noi folks will happily spend all week in their neighbourhood as it has everything they could possibly need – great coffee, great food, loads of entertainment and nature in extremely close proximity, if not their back garden. How do I get to the area? Pong Noi is the furthest west point of Suthep, wedged between Canal Road and the mountain. It’s just a 10-minute motorbike ride west of th

Is there anything better than Halloween on a Friday? Things might be a bit more muted this year, but the ghouls are still ghouling. From live music to murder mysteries, free ice cream (yes, you heard us) to pumpkin carving and soulful Day of the Dead celebrations to boot – Chiang Mai’s got Halloween on lock this year. The only truly scary part is deciding where to go. 

Mime and object theatre duo TaLentShow return to Chiang Mai with another round of SAFARI, an all-ages adventure where everyday objects and a little imagination bring the natural world to life. Without relying on words, the pair take audiences across vast grasslands, beneath the sea to swim alongside whale sharks and into fields where tiny seeds burst into bloom. Heartfelt, playful and wonderfully weird, it’s an immersive afternoon of theatre that kids and grown-ups can enjoy together. We’ve seen it before, and couldn’t recommend it enough. Sep 12, 13, 19, 20. B320. Dhepsiri Creative Space. 1.30pm, 4.30pm

Sometimes the best way to clear your head is to grab some scissors, glue and a pile of scraps and make something completely unnecessary. Jugnu Studio’s Scrap-Booking session invites you to cut, glue, scribble and generally make a mess as you get stuck (quite literally) into the latest hobbymaxxing trend: journalling. Turn old papers, stickers and colourful odds and ends into pages of your own that can then be filled – by pen or pencil – with your dreams, stories, to-do lists, love letters or anything else you want to put onto paper and, maybe, not on the internet. If you bring your own materials it’s just B75, or pay B150 and they’ll provide everything from scissors and glue to scraps, stickers, markers, pens and coloured pencils. Sept 12. B75-B150. Jugnu Studio. 3-5pm

The posse behind Chiang Dao Punk Festival are back with another edition of their ever solid gigs in the city, WE ARE PUNK and they’ve landed an insane line up for this one. Japanese hardcore doesn’t come more ferocious than Asphalt, on tour from Hiroshima; and Bound, pummeling in from Shizuoka. They are supported by a powerhouse of local noise makers – we’ve got Myanmar’s Death Systems kicking out the jams, as well as CNX champs Self Sex, Maarays, Olexs and Phased Plasma Rifle. Entry includes a free beer, nice one lads. Bring your earplugs and get there early to embrace a full night of community focused chaos. Sept 13. B400. Yoda’s CNX Gallery, Old City. 7pm-late

The purveyors of all things playful and wholesome in CNX, Retro Recess are back with a grown up spin on youth this Sunday hosting a new ‘game’, Playground Exchange. The thoughtful bunch are hosting a space to exchange goods, skills, time and support one another, gathering like kids in a playground to learn a new skill beyond traditional buying and selling. This edition focuses on exploring slow living through flower arranging, but come prepared with a skill, goods or resource you can offer and a clear request for something you’d like to receive. Expect their usual twist on a classic workshop, with discussion and skill-and-goods exchange in the mix. Sept 13. Free. Chiang Mai Railway Station Park. 2pm-4pm

Our favourite cosy nook of a venue, doplace, is hosting Bamama Supper Club this weekend with a double header of gastronomic events focusing on namprik, the delectable Thai chili sauce that defines so many dishes. Lead by Chef Oum, Namprik Weekend kicks off on Saturday with a two hour tasting sesh that will rove through nine regional namprik and sato (B800,11am-1pm). Thin wine tasting but, ya know, dip. For the kitchen savvy amongst you Oum is also offering a cooking class on Sunday (B1200, 10am-1pm), teaching you spice lovers how to make three types of namprik – and this sesh includes the lunch too. RSVP is required to book, contact doplace via instagram or call 0910700356. Sept 12-13. B800-B1200. doplace, upstairs at The Goodcery. 

This Saturday afternoon sees a particularly special art opening of the aptly named ‘A Moving Ceremony: The Art of Becoming’, by artist Jay Cheng. The exhibition at Studio 88 is on for a month but the private view event this weekend promises to be quite literally ceremonial. Attend wearing white or black (and hats are encouraged) to explore the histories objects hold, through engaging with her practice that dissects reality, death and the continuation of consciousness beyond what we can see.  Sept 12. Free. Studio 88 at Sak Homestay, Doi Saket. 2pm-4pm

If you missed their high voltage set at Pai Jazz & Blues Festival fear not, the city’s electric funksters are back in business with an intimate gig at one of Nimman’s best live music hot spots, Ostinato. It’s a free show and bound to be a roof raising night; their signature mix of sassy blues, funk and soul is always a good time. So head down there early, the band is on at 9.40pm (so specific) but musician-owner Khun Meem is opening his doors from 5pm.  Sept 11. Free. Ostinato, Nimman. 5pm-late

Finishing high-school and thinking about studying in Japan? The ICHIBAN Japan Fair returns to Chiang Mai for two days of study-abroad advice, with representatives from more than 22 Japanese schools and language institutions on hand for one-on-one consultations. You can also learn about scholarships and event-exclusive tuition discounts, while those less interested in hitting the books can get stuck into free cultural activities including strawberry daifuku making, yukata dressing and origami. Entry is free and walk-ins are welcome, though pre-registering via the Ichiban Education Facebook page comes with a free souvenir. And we all love a cute souvenir, right? Sep 5-6. Free, registration encouraged. Shangri-La Chiang Mai.  9.30am-8pm

Chiang Mai is getting a serious dose of T-POP this weekend as CAT EXPOP 2026 takes over Chiang Mai University Hall for a mammoth seven-hour concert. From the team behind Bangkok’s very successful CAT EXPO, the festival heads north to bring together some of Thailand’s biggest rising pop acts, including PROXIE, PERSES, PiXXiE, DEXX, DAOU–OFFROAD, KENG–NAMPING and TLE–FIRSTONE. Seven hours of back-to-back performances, big-stage production and enough boy bands, girl groups and screaming fans to keep CMU buzzing all day under a vapourwave sun.  Sep 5. B900-B3,000. Chiang Mai University Hall, Chiang Mai. 10am onwards

Things are getting heated at Skill Bar this Saturday as TRAP ALERT: SPIT WAR brings 32 up-and-coming rappers together for a knockout battle to find its 2026 champion. Rappers trade spit (not literally, we hope) by going head-to-head in a tournament bracket, judged on everything from flow and wordplay to creativity and stage presence, with B10,000 waiting for the eventual winner. There’s more than just a rap battle however, with a Free Mic competition, live performances from guest artists and other hip-hop happenings running throughout the marathon event, all with their own cash prizes. A real rapper's delight, right here in Chiang Mai.    Sep 5. Skill Bar, Loi Kroh Road. 10am-2am

Can’t make it the 12,000 kilometres to Black Rock City? Fear not! Tiki Torch is bringing a little Burning Man spirit to Chiang Mai with an evening of fire, flow, music and radical self-expression. You heard it here first. Ex-burners, curious newcomers and creative types are all welcome – bring your fire props, your best (or worst) outfit, a tutu of your head or simply your quirky self and go get dusty. Musicians, makers and performers are also invited to get involved and collaborate on the night, in true festival spirit.  Sep 5. Free. Tiki Torch, 12 Huay Kaew Road. 7pm onwards

Your Father CNX is winding the clock back for ‘Disco on the Rock’, an evening of live music, DJs and plenty of retro moves. Turn up and wear your gladrags for an evening soundtrack spanning disco and rock’n’roll from 6pm until midnight, with guests encouraged to dress in their finest ’60s, ’70s or ’80s gear. There’s an extra incentive to go all-out on the bell-bottoms and big hair, too: the night’s best-dressed partygoer will take home the Disco Daddy Award, complete with a crate of beer. Groovy baby. Sep 5. Your Father CNX. Call 095 194 4969 for bookings. 6pm-midnight

There’s never a dull moment at Deaf Shop but the team have really gone hard this weekend, booking their biggest guest DJ yet – Parisian hip-hop producer Onra. Revered for his gob-smacking sets and sumptuous album releases, you probably know him for the Chinoiseries – a trilogy of albums (so far) that weave in samples from records he found in Vietnam, China and corners of Southeast Asia.  Born Arnaud Bernard, Onra has been making beats since the early 2000s, starting with hip hop, soul and R&B. Never to be pigeon-holed, he’s been pushing the bar, sculpting his own genre and bending sound since his debut LP Tribute dropped in 2006.  Between collaborating with similarly inspired artists and artfully building a sound around sampling music from different corners of the globe, his following is a die hard audience of crate diggers and those who know.  His eleventh full length album After Dark, released earlier this year is a cinematic soundtrack for an imaginary late-night film. Spanning nine self-produced instrumentals, the 2026 record blends ’80s soul and city-pop into a moody, and neon-lit journey, which he’s sure to drop highlights of at his Deaf Shop set this weekend. ‘We’re excited to bring something different to the city this weekend,’ Laurens and Mum told us ahead of the biggest gig their bar has hosted to date. And excited we should be. The Boiler Room, Mutek, NTS Radio, Red Bull Music Academy veteran does not play around.  Best believe it won't be just a run through his be

This week the chaps and chapesses at the local municipality turned their sights to an old favourite corner of the city, Chang Moi, turning out en force to announce a new scheme to revive one of the city’s few remaining canals. Following the successful regeneration of the southeastern stretch of Mae Kha Canal – cementing its spot on the tourist trail a few years ago, seeing cafes and bars opening along the (now) flowerbed lined stretch – similar hopes are pinned on the quiet back alleys and paths of the waterway’s Chang Moi hood, but using an altogether different approach: street art. Sure, the idea’s not a new one. Bangkok’s Ong Ang canal makes use of street art in drawing a crowd, so why not try it here as well.  Lucie Grace - Time OutPhotograph: Lucie Grace - Time Out To get the project underway, Chiang Mai’s most established street artists, designers and art students are all invited to apply to paint their work on the walls that run alongside the canal. And in case you were wondering, yes, the area has been designated an ‘official street art zone.’  The goal is to regenerate the Chang Moi Road while giving a fab opportunity for local artists to showcase their work, making space for exchange and learning between artists, the community and tourists.  The local government says ‘this collaboration will help propel Chang Moi Road back into a Chiang Mai art landmark – a unique street art hub reflecting the city's charm and a key destination for both Thai and international tour

Rolling nine years strong, Pai Jazz & Blues Festival is back with an absolutely packed line up this weekend, June 3-5.  A major highlight of green season in the north, the musical fest takes over the stages and mixing desks across Pai’s town centre – changing the soundtrack from sleepy hippy hangout to an international, multi-venue jazz affair.  Jazz of all shapes and sizes is humming from street corners, for three full days and nights packed with talent from Thailand and beyond. But fear not, it’s still the same small scale, intimate event it ever was – and that’s just how Pai likes it.  And perhaps most excitingly, drum roll please, this year admission to the Official Main Venue, Jazz Up (formerly known as the Jazz House) is completely free with no tickets required, making it easier than ever for us to enjoy top-drawer live music in the heart of Pai. Pai Jazz & Blues FestivalPhotograph: Pai Jazz & Blues Festival Pai Jazz & Blues Festival 2026 From July 3-5, Jazz Up – handily located just minutes from Pai Walking Street – will host five live shows a day, with jazz, blues and more performed from 4.15pm to 10.30pm every evening. Beyond the main shows, the festival continues its signature bar hopping experience with a solid network of partner venues across town, including Pai Coffee Studio, Cafecito, Janym Pai, The Bottle & Cat's Whiskers, Limoncello Pai, The Blue Ox, Silhouette by Reverie Siam, Vinyl Sky Lounge and Supermoon Pai. With so much going on, we’re wondering where

Earlier this month, an Etihad Airways flight glided onto the runway at Chiang Mai International Airport for the very first time – marking a massive moment for the city’s global connectivity. And, as you’d expect, they did it with a bang.  From November 4 2025, the Abu Dhabi-based airline has officially become the first and only carrier linking Chiang Mai directly with the Middle East. This means that for anyone heading west to Europe and beyond, gone are the days of the arduous Bangkok stopover – as long as you can afford the privilege.  To celebrate the news, Etihad Airways sent their best delegates to Chiang Mai where they launched the inaugural flight. The event was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen in Chiang Mai. Every hotel manager, dignitary, politician and influencer were there – and since then the news has been the talk of the town.  Bosang umbrella painting, cocktails and canapes aside, the event spotlighted the new route that aims to bring global tourists to Chiang Mai, and more importantly, give Chiang Mai folks a direct link to the Middle East, and beyond.  As part of the launch, Etihad Airways are offering a special two-day stopover in Abu Dhabi before jetsetters fly onwards to Europe or Africa. The Etihad Stopover Programme, booked directly through the Etihad website, includes a complimentary hotel stay for up to two nights for travellers transiting through Abu Dhabi’s sparkly new Zayed International Airport. Did we mention they’re flying Airbuses too?  Photogr

Arriving in a very sleepy Chiang Mai one bright November day in 2021, it was clear to this newcomer that I’d rocked up in a creative city, but perhaps one that was slowly stretching its limbs and coming out of hibernation.  Only a few live music venues had survived 2020, and any thoughts I had of record shopping or spinning were a distant, pre-pandemic memory. DJing and record collecting was something I’d left behind in Europe, surely not on the cards again in the near future. Oh how wrong I was.  Chiang Mai’s vinyl revival is now in full swing with seemingly unstoppable momentum. A vibrant community of devoted wax lovers have launched stores, listening bars, festivals and record labels – each one determined to put the city on the global map as a music destination. Through collaboration and commitment, it seems to be working.  Photograph: Deaf Shop Centrifugal to the scene, Deaf Shop is now a local institution for vinyl lovers. Opening their doors in May 2022, owner Mum Pimolpud came with years of working in Bangkok’s music industry and her partner Laurens Brouwer, DJ and founder of independent label Liquorish Records, came with a colossal record collection. Inspired by a trip to Japan, they decided to open their own listening bar, where customers now pour in for a drink, a dance and the chance to select an LP they want to hear, from the rows of racks that line one side of their venue. It was a brave move in a city that was still finding its feet. ‘No one was waiting for th