Thailand · month by month
Chiang Mai food calendar
What is in season in Chiang Mai, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Chiang Mai
Peak seasonThe best of January: Strawberries from the hills, Cool-season northern herbs and greens, nam prik, gaeng hang lay.
In season
- Strawberries from the hills
Cool-season fruit from Samoeng and Doi Inthanon.
Nov–Feb - Cool-season northern herbs and greens, nam prik, gaeng hang layNov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Chiang Mai
A hard monthThe best of February: Strawberries from the hills, Cool-season northern herbs and greens, nam prik, gaeng hang lay, Flower Festival.
In season
- Strawberries from the hills
Cool-season fruit from Samoeng and Doi Inthanon.
Nov–Feb - Cool-season northern herbs and greens, nam prik, gaeng hang layNov–Feb
On the calendar
- Flower Festivalfirst weekend of February
Parades and market stalls.
Plan around
- Burning season smoke
Air quality is often poor from February to April.
Feb–Apr
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Chiang Mai
A hard monthThe best of March: Grilled meats, som tam and cooling herbal drinks, Mangoes.
In season
- Grilled meats, som tam and cooling herbal drinks (roselle, butterfly pea)Mar–Apr
- Mangoes
Northern mangoes and mango sticky rice.
Mar–May
Plan around
- Burning season smoke
Air quality is often poor from February to April.
Feb–Apr
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Chiang Mai
A hard monthThe best of April: Northern New Year sweets, Red ant eggs and Songkran.
In season
- Red ant eggs (soups, omelets)
- Grilled meats, som tam and cooling herbal drinks (roselle, butterfly pea)Mar–Apr
- Mangoes
Northern mangoes and mango sticky rice.
Mar–May
Eat it now
- Northern New Year sweetsSongkran
Khanom jok and sticky rice treats.
On the calendar
- Songkran13-15 April
The biggest water festival in Thailand.
Plan around
- Burning season smoke
Air quality is often poor from February to April.
Feb–Apr
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Chiang Mai
Shoulder seasonThe best of May: Mangoes and Inthakin City Pillar Festival.
In season
- Mangoes
Northern mangoes and mango sticky rice.
Mar–May
On the calendar
- Inthakin City Pillar Festival
13-19 May 2027; market of northern snacks and sweets at Wat Chedi Luang
Plan around
- Closures
Rainy season May-Oct: authorities monitor flash floods and waterfalls (e.g. Sticky Waterfall, Mae Sa) may close without notice (LP)
May–Oct
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Chiang Mai
Shoulder seasonThe best of June: Durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan at Warorot Market, Wild mushrooms and bamboo.
In season
- Durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan at Warorot MarketJun–Aug
- Wild mushrooms and bamboo
Rainy-season hed (mushrooms) and northern curries.
Jun–Sep
Plan around
- Closures
Rainy season May-Oct: authorities monitor flash floods and waterfalls (e.g. Sticky Waterfall, Mae Sa) may close without notice (LP)
May–Oct
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Chiang Mai
Shoulder seasonThe best of July: Durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan at Warorot Market, Wild mushrooms and bamboo.
In season
- Durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan at Warorot MarketJun–Aug
- Wild mushrooms and bamboo
Rainy-season hed (mushrooms) and northern curries.
Jun–Sep
Plan around
- Closures
Rainy season May-Oct: authorities monitor flash floods and waterfalls (e.g. Sticky Waterfall, Mae Sa) may close without notice (LP)
May–Oct
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Chiang Mai
Shoulder seasonThe best of August: Durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan at Warorot Market, Wild mushrooms and bamboo.
In season
- Durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan at Warorot MarketJun–Aug
- Wild mushrooms and bamboo
Rainy-season hed (mushrooms) and northern curries.
Jun–Sep
Plan around
- Closures
Rainy season May-Oct: authorities monitor flash floods and waterfalls (e.g. Sticky Waterfall, Mae Sa) may close without notice (LP)
May–Oct
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Chiang Mai
Shoulder seasonThe best of September: Jay vegetarian festival food, Wild mushrooms and bamboo.
In season
- Jay vegetarian festival foodSep–Oct
- Wild mushrooms and bamboo
Rainy-season hed (mushrooms) and northern curries.
Jun–Sep
Plan around
- Closures
Rainy season May-Oct: authorities monitor flash floods and waterfalls (e.g. Sticky Waterfall, Mae Sa) may close without notice (LP)
May–Oct
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Chiang Mai
Shoulder seasonThe best of October: Jay vegetarian festival food and Thai Vegetarian Festival.
In season
- Jay vegetarian festival foodSep–Oct
On the calendar
- Thai Vegetarian Festival (Jay)
Plan around
- Closures
Rainy season May-Oct: authorities monitor flash floods and waterfalls (e.g. Sticky Waterfall, Mae Sa) may close without notice (LP)
May–Oct
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Chiang Mai
Peak seasonThe best of November: Yi Peng festival sweets and grilled snacks, Strawberries from the hills, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong.
In season
- Yi Peng festival sweets and grilled snacks
- Strawberries from the hills
Cool-season fruit from Samoeng and Doi Inthanon.
Nov–Feb - Cool-season northern herbs and greens, nam prik, gaeng hang layNov–Feb
On the calendar
- Yi Peng and Loy Krathongfull moon of the 12th lunar month
Sky lanterns and the river festival.
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Chiang Mai
Peak seasonThe best of December: Strawberries from the hills, Cool-season northern herbs and greens, nam prik, gaeng hang lay.
In season
- Strawberries from the hills
Cool-season fruit from Samoeng and Doi Inthanon.
Nov–Feb - Cool-season northern herbs and greens, nam prik, gaeng hang layNov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.