The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had announced the official events scheduled for 2019 Chiang Mai’s Songkran Festival (The Thai New Year).

Chiang Mai, the Northern Province of Thailand, will be celebrating the Songkran Festival (aka The Thai New Year & The Water Festival) from 13 ~ 15 April 2019.

The celebration of the Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai is regarded as the largest in Thailand, along with Khon Kaen and Bangkok.

Songkran, regarded as Thai traditional new year has been an exotic Thai tradition for generations. Across the country, it is time for laughter and entertainment, for religious ceremonies and merit-making, for family and friends… and of course, splashing water, lots of it!

The celebration of Songkran in Chiang Mai offers the best of both worlds, with Lanna cultural events at sacred temples (such as Wat Phra Sing) and big water fights around the central moat.

The following information lists the official events and ceremonies scheduled around Chiang Mai in celebration of the 2019 Songkran Festival.

Songkran is not just a splashing festival; religious ceremonies and rituals are celebrated at major temples such as Wat Phrasing and Wat Chedi Luang.

Events Schedule for 2019 Songkran Festivals in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

April 1~3, 9:00am to 11:00pm:
Bathing rite for Setangkhamanee Buddha Statue and Folk Art Performance at Wat Chiang Man.

April 4~6, 9:30am to 10:00pm:
Poy Sang Long Festival, bathing rite for Buddha Statue, at Wat Pa Pao.

April 7~9, 9:00am to 10:00pm:
Bathing rite for Phra Sapphanyu Chao Detmuang at Wat Chiang Yuen.

April 7~16, 6:00am to 10:00pm:
Tracing Pee Mai Muang tradition, bathing rite for Buddha Statue, making Lanna flags, at Wat Lok Mo Lee.

April 10~15, 8:00am to 9:00pm:
Sandpile building, bathing rite for Buddha statue, folk art performances, at Wat Jed Lin.

The Poy Sang Long Festival or Festival of the Crystal Sons lasts for three days in numerous temples in Chiang Mai and is dedicated to the pre-teen boys that are to go to monasteries for some time.

April 11~15, 8:00 am to midnight:
Celebration ceremony of Pha Singha Buddha Statue, Kad Mua (at local market), Thai folk singing contest, local art and cultural performance at Wat Phra Singh.

April 11~12, all day:
Worshipping ceremony for Three Kings Monument and Phraya Meng Rai, at The Three Kings Monument square.

April 11~16, 9:00am to 10:00pm:
Bathing rite for Jom Sri Puri Nam Nang Rua and the salutation ceremony to San Swae Buddha Statue, at Wat Yang Kuang.

April 12, 6:00am to 8:00am:
Alms-giving ceremony to celebrate the 723rd Anniversary for the establishment of Chiang Mai city, at The Three Kings Monument.

April 12, 10:09am to 11:39am:
Salutation and worshipping ceremony to the head of Kabillaphrom (The God of Songkran), at the Chiang Mai Municipality Office.

The bathing ritual of Buddha statue is a significant event throughout the Songkran Festival. Traditionally, Thai people would visit their local temple to bathe the Buddha statue there for good luck.

April 12~15, 9:00am to 10:00pm:
Bathing rite for Buddha’s relic, at Wat Pan On.

April 13, 6:00am to 8:00am:
The alms-giving ceremony for Songkran Festival 2019, at Tha Pae Gate.

April 13, 8:09am to 8:39am:
The opening ceremony for Songkran Festival 2019, at Tha Pae Gate.

April 13, 9:09am to 9:39am:
The invitation rite for the transportation of Phra Buddha Sihing, at Wat Phra Singh.

The procession of Buddha statues.

April 13, 7:00am to 11:30am:
Lanna traditional devotion ornaments contest, at Tha Pae Gate.

April 13, 1:30pm to 6:00pm:
Invitation rite of Phra Buddha Sihing and Buddha statues procession, at the Sanpakhoi intersection to Wat Phra Singh.

April 13~14, 7:00pm to midnight:
Miss and Mister Songkran contest, at Tha Pae Gate.

April 14~15, 5:00pm to 10:00pm:
Cultural exhibition open space for temples, local market, local art performances, theater knowledge center, at The Three Kings Monument.

Songkran Festival

Chiang Mai, Thailand.

After celebrating Songkran the traditional way, don’t miss the great fun of water splashing in Chiang Mai’s famous locations: Nawarat Bridge, Thapae Gate, around the moat and in front of Central-Kad Suan Kaew.

April 14~15, 5:00pm to 10:00pm:
Songkran Festival light and sound exhibition, at Lanna Folklife Museum.

April 15, 7:00pm to 11:00pm:
Songkran Kids contest, at Tha Pae Gate.

April 13~15, 9:00am to 6:00pm:
Alcohol-free promotional activities by the Health Promotion Foundation, at the various Town Area.

April 13~16, 1:00pm to 6:00pm:
Lanna Cultural open space exhibition for Songkran Festival by the Chiang Mai Provincial Cultural Office, at The Buddhasatham.

April 14, 1:30pm to 5:00pm:
Procession of The Holy Bodhi Tree Supportive, wood and sand offering to temple, from the Iron Bridge to Temples.

April 15, 1:30pm to 6:00pm:
Procession of The Salutation Ornaments for the Governor of Chiang Mai, from The Klangwiang Intersection to the Governor’s Resident.

Even though the government has requested people keep their water splashing to dedicated zones, just be aware that you are seen as a game target anywhere and anytime during the festival. The only way to guarantee staying dry is to stay indoors.