Annual Flower Festival

• One of Chiangmai's most spectacular festivals takes place in early February of each year. This is one of Chiangmai's premier tourist events, attracting visitors from all over Thailand, and overseas as well.
  The city is resplendent with floral decorations, and there are flower show competitions for prizes, performances of traditional music and dance, a beauty contest, and the centerpiece of the festivities, the Flower Festival Parade on the second day.
  
  

• February is the ideal time for flower viewing and cultivation in Chiangmai, as it is still cool enough that the temperate climate flowers, such as roses and chrysanthemums are still blooming, and also Chiangmai's famous orchids. All of these and many more will be used to bedeck the beautiful floral floats which are the highlight of the annual parade, when private sector companies and associations and government agencies from all over the province compete for coveted awards.
  
  

• This year, the flower exhibitions and landscape competitions will be held at nearby Buak Haad Park, located in the southwest corner of the old city, inside the moat and walls. These will begin at 8:00 am on Friday, February 4th at Buak Haad Park, and can be seen throughout the festival. The official opening ceremony will take place at 5:00 pm, followed by music and dance performances by the College of Dramatic Arts, Chiangmai.
  

• The second day of the festival, starts with the annual parade of bands, marching groups and the beautiful, flower-laden floats. The parade starts at 8:00 am from the Nawarat bridge and proceeds down Thapae Road, Kotchasam Road, Boonruangrit Road, and Arak Road, ending at Buak Haad Park. Here all the floats are parked and will be on exhibit until the end of the festival. This is your opportunity to view the floats up close and see the intricate craftsmanship which goes into the making of each one. It provides the perfect opportunity for picture-taking as well. It is recommended that you secure a viewing spot for the parade early, as the streets are always crowded for this event. At 2:00 pm, at the park, the new Flower Queen will be crowned and the results of the judging of the floats will be announced. This will be followed by a program of traditional music and dance at 7:00 pm.