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Best time to visit Chiang Mai

Traveloka Team

4 min read

Lantern skies in November, flower floats in February, smoky haze in March, and supersoaker water fights in April. Chiang Mai feels like a new city every season. This northern Thai might always run on Lanna tradition, golden temples and mountain air, but when you go, it changes everything. Here’s your season-by-season cheat sheet for when Chiang Mai shines, and when it’s better to hold off booking.

Cool season (Nov–Feb) – festival favourite

Weather: Dry, sunny, around 25°C by day, dropping to 10–15°C at night.

Events: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong lantern festivals (Nov), Bo Sang Umbrella Festival (Jan), Flower Festival (Feb).

Recommended? Yes – this is Chiang Mai at its peak, pretty.

This is the golden window: clear skies, comfy days, and the kind of crisp evenings that make hot noodle soup feel essential. It’s also festival central, from lanterns in November to floral floats in February. Expect bigger crowds and higher prices (especially around Yi Peng), but it’s absolutely worth it. Pack jumpers if you’re heading to Doi Inthanon. Nights there can feel alpine.

What to expect each month:

December: Bright, sunny days and chilly nights that might actually require a light jacket or sweater. It is a fantastic time for outdoor night markets and festivals, though popular spots can be quite crowded with toward the end of the month due to holiday travellers.

January: The most comfortable weather of the year with cool mornings and clear blue skies. It is peak tourist season, but perfect for hiking Doi Inthanon and enjoying the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival.

February: Rising, but still comfortbale, temperatures and the colorful displays of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival. Air quality may begin to decline late in the month as the "burning season" agricultural smoke starts to settle in the valley.

Hot season (Mar–May) – hot and hazy

Weather: 35–40°C most days, smoky skies peak in March, stifling into April and May.

Events: Songkran (Thai New Year water fights) in April.

Recommended? Only if you’re here for Songkran.

March is burning season. Fields are torched, forest fires smoulder, and the air quality can tank. Views of Doi Suthep often vanish behind haze, and trekking is tough in the heat. Come April, it is still boiling, but Chiang Mai throws Thailand’s best Songkran party: three days of supersoakers, parades, and citywide chaos. Families with teens and a sense of humour? Go for it. But in peak burning season? Skip.

What to expect each month:

March: Intense heat begins and it's the peak of the "burning season," which often results in thick haze and poor air quality. Many locals and expats head south during this month to escape the smog, though it remains a quiet time for indoor cultural activities.

April: Although it's still hot-hot-hot, the city comes alive during Songkran, the Thai New Year, where massive water fights help everyone cool off from the year's highest temperatures. The air quality usually begins to improve toward the end of the month as the first pre-monsoon rains arrive.

May: High humidity and the official start of the rainy season, which brings much-needed relief to the parched landscape. While downpours are frequent, they are usually brief, leaving the rest of the day open for exploring local markets.

Rainy season (Jun–Oct) – green and great value

Weather: Warm and wet, 30–32°C, with the heaviest downpours in Aug–Sep.

Events: Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival (May), Inthakin City Pillar Festival (May/Jun), rice planting season.

Recommended? Yes, if you don’t mind rain.

Rain flips Chiang Mai into technicolour mode: neon-green rice paddies, roaring waterfalls and mist-wrapped mountains. Showers usually come in short, heavy bursts, clearing to bright afternoons. Trekking trails can get muddy, but crowds thin out, hotel deals roll in, and cooking classes start looking real good. Photographers and budget travellers, this is the time for you.

What to expect each month:

June: Lush, green scenery and fewer crowds as the monsoon season settles in. It's an ideal time for budget travellers to find great deals on accommodation and explore the city's vibrant café culture between afternoon showers.

July: Refreshing rain and cooler temperatures compared to the summer months, making it a great time for visiting waterfalls like Mae Sa and seeing the countryside at its most beautiful, though you should keep a poncho or umbrella handy at all times.

August: Expect the wettest month of the year with frequent, heavy rainfall that can occasionally lead to flooding in low-lying areas. Despite the rain, the rice paddies are a brilliant emerald green, providing stunning backdrops for photography.

September: Expect the final peak of the monsoon season with high humidity and regular evening storms. Travel is generally slow and peaceful, allowing for a more intimate experience at popular temples like Wat Phra Singh.

October: Expect the weather to transition as the rains taper off and the air becomes crisp and clear again. This "shoulder season" offers the best of both worlds: lush landscapes from the recent rains and the return of comfortable trekking conditions.

November spotlight – lantern magic

Weather: Cool and dry, 25°C in the day and 15°C at night.

Events: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Lantern Festivals.

Recommended? Yes, if you can handle the crowds.

November deserves its own spotlight. Thousands of lanterns drift into the sky, candlelit krathongs float on the river, and the air feels fresh after the monsoon. It’s one of Asia’s most photogenic festivals – but some of Chiang Mai’s busiest weeks. Book flights and hotels months ahead.

Warmest and coolest months

Warmest: March–April. 38–40°C heat plus smoky haze. Only appealing if you’re here for Songkran or planning a villa-and-pool holiday.

Coolest: December–January. Around 25°C by day, but nights can dip below 15°C. Great for sightseeing and trekking, as long as you’ve packed a jumper.

Wettest and driest months

Wettest: August–September. Daily downpours, muddy trekking trails, and soggy shoes. But lush countryside, waterfalls at full power, and far fewer tourists.

Driest: December–February. Blue skies, crisp mornings, and perfect conditions for hiking, temple-hopping and sunset views.