This year, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 marks the Chinese New Year of the Horse (also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival), which is celebrated throughout Chiang Mai. Finally, the official Chinese New Year celebrations can take place, and if you head over to Chinatown, you’ll see the streets beautifully decorated with roadside stalls selling lanterns, new clothes, and auspicious trinkets in all shapes and sizes.
What is Chinese New Year
The New Year celebration is centred around removing the bad and the old, and welcoming the new and the good. It’s a time to worship ancestors, exorcise evil spirits and pray for good harvest. Today it’s celebrated also by Chinese communities outside the country and Thailand has the largest Chinese community outside of China so Thailand take their celebrations seriously!
The New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar and represented by 12 animals and 5 elements in a 12 year cycle. A specific animal is assigned each year and one of the elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth. People take Chinese astrology very seriously and more so at this time of year when astrologers set up stalls around the streets of China Town to predict your fortune for the new year.
Many Celebrations
The celebrations normally run from Chinese New Years Eve to the 15th day and 3 important activities feature in the build up to the big event. Shopping day, before New Year’s Eve when people shop for gifts, food and offerings. Praying day, when prayers and offerings are made to their golds and ancestors for wealth and prosperity in the New Year. Adults will give small red pockets called Ang-Pao as gifts of money to their children or employees wishing good wealth and health. The act of giving someone an Ang-Pao is a blessing but for the kids it’s all about the money! Be sure never to let your kids open an Ang-Pao right there and then though; it’s seen as very rude and disrespectful.
Then comes, New Year’s Day or is commonly known as Going out day when families come together to celebrate and enjoy the festivities, with food being a heavily featured part of this day! People will dress in colourful clothes mainly red and gold which are seen as the colours of good fortune and friends and family will exchange oranges which are believed to bring luck and prosperity.
Where To Participate
Many of the hotels and Chinese restaurants will have Chinese New Year feasts and banquets available and large shopping malls are once again competing for the most elaborate decorations, Chiang Mai really takes this matter seriously. Overnight malls are transformed into a sea of red lanterns and paper dragons and many offer workshops centered around family time and Chinese New Year activities where kids can make their own Chinese New Year animals and try their hand at Chinese calligraphy.
Chinatown in Chiang Mai
But if you really want to experience Chinese New Year there is only one place to go……..China Town.
Behind the lively Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai, you’ll find Kad Luang, also known as Warorot or Ton Lam Yai markets. Locals lovingly call it ‘Warorot market.’ It’s a bustling hub of food, clothes, flowers, and more. Close to the Night Bazaar, it’s a great spot to shop and eat until you’re satisfied. Explore the shopping centers for the best deals, especially on the top floors. What makes it unique is its diverse mix of cultures and tribes, not just Chinese.
These markets, bordering the Ping River, have been around for over a century, thriving during the Chiang Mai-Bangkok river trade. Popular among locals, they’ve stood the test of time. Along the riverside street, there’s a daily flower market adding color and fragrance. During the two-day Chinese New Year celebrations, the street turns into a pedestrian haven, adorned with iconic red lanterns. Here, you’ll find two famous Chinese shrines: Guan Yu, just behind Warorot, and Pung Tao Gong, across from the riverside park. This vibrant area is a must-visit during the Chinese New Year festivities.
Schedule of Events
16th of February
Morning Parade: A Grand Beginning
The celebrations kick off early in Chiang Mai with a spectacular morning parade. The heart of the action is at Tha Phae Gate, where the parade begins around 8 am. However, to catch the best spots and soak in the atmosphere, it’s a good idea to arrive a little earlier. The parade is a beautiful spectacle, featuring traditional lion and dragon dances, colorful floats, and performers in stunning costumes. The procession winds along Tha Phae Road and makes its way toward Chinatown, setting the stage for a day full of festivities.
Chinatown Stage: Performances and Festivities
Once the parade wraps up, the action moves to the Chinatown stage, where a variety of performances take place throughout the day. From 6 pm onwards, the stage will host a mix of performances, including beauty contests, dance numbers, and live music. However, it’s important to note that these events tend to run on “Thai time,” meaning they may not start exactly as scheduled. Plus, many of the performances and announcements will likely be in Thai or Chinese, so while the entertainment is universal, some language barriers may exist.
For those with an appetite for culture—and perhaps some food—Chinatown is the place to be. From 7 pm onward, there will be more dragon dances, competitions, and performances to enjoy. It’s a great way to get into the spirit of the New Year and experience local traditions firsthand.
Food at the Ping River: A Culinary Adventure
As the day goes on, you’ll likely work up an appetite. For food lovers, the Ping River area is a must-visit. Numerous food and drink stalls line the river, offering everything from snacks to full meals. However, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you may find the options limited. Most stalls cater to meat lovers, so if you prefer plant-based meals, you may need to get a bit creative or explore elsewhere.
Evening: More Performances and the Dragon Dance
If you still have energy after the day’s celebrations, you can head back to Chinatown in the evening for more entertainment. The evening festivities start around 7 pm, with additional performances, dragon shows, and various competitions. This is the perfect way to end your Chinese New Year celebrations in Chiang Mai, surrounded by the festive atmosphere and the glow of lanterns and lights
17th of February
In Chiang Mai, the Chinese New Year celebrations begin bright and early, with a spectacular parade that serves as the opening event for the day’s festivities. Set to start around 8 am, the parade is a true highlight, brimming with excitement and tradition. It’s worth arriving a bit earlier to find a good spot, as the streets quickly fill up with spectators eager to witness the vibrant spectacle. As the parade begins, expect to be swept up in the energy of the lion and dragon dances, accompanied by the sound of traditional drums and cymbals. The performers, dressed in elaborate costumes, expertly maneuver through the streets, bringing luck and prosperity to the crowd. Alongside the dance troupes, beautifully decorated floats pass by, showcasing a rich blend of Chinese and local Lanna culture. The parade continues down Tha Phae Road, slowly making its way toward Chinatown, where the festivities ramp up even further. The atmosphere is electric, with the streets lined with eager onlookers, ready to experience the next chapter in this day-long celebration of culture, food, and community.
18th of February
As the afternoon rolls in, the festivities in Chinatown shift into high gear with a series of exciting events that kick off at 4 pm. The streets will be alive with activity as cooking competitions take center stage, where local chefs showcase their culinary skills and creativity. These competitions are a great way to immerse yourself in the local flavors and traditions that define the region. In addition to the cooking contests, various stage performances will be happening throughout the area, adding to the lively atmosphere. Expect to see everything from traditional dance routines to musical performances that celebrate both Chinese and Thai cultures. While the official schedule may offer more precise timings, it’s clear that the afternoon and evening in Chinatown will be packed with entertainment, providing a fantastic way to experience the full spectrum of New Year celebrations.
Wherever you may go to celebrate Chinese New year we wish you a very happy Gong Xi Fa Cai
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Editors Note: For families with babies and small children: Fire crackers are often used to announce the arrival of the lion dance, whilst this is safe it can be quite boisterous and alarming.
