Chiang Rai Songkran 2026, Best Places to Join the Water Festival

CHIANG RAI – The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Rai Office, invites visitors to enjoy Songkran 2026 under the theme “Aew Pi Mai Mueang Chiang Rai Ban Hao”.

If you’re planning a trip, here are the main Songkran events in Chiang Rai and the top water-play spots across the province.

Traditional Lanna New Year Celebration, Chulasakkarat 1388

Dates: April 12 to 14, 2026
Location: Suan Tung and Khom City Park, Mueang Chiang Rai District
Contact: Chiang Rai Municipality, Tel. 053-160776

Sankhong Water Street Songkran Festival

Dates: April 12 to 16, 2026
Location: Sankhong Noi Road, Mueang Chiang Rai District
Contact: Chiang Rai Municipality, Tel. 053-160776

Nong Bua Community, Nong Bua Fun Water Street

Dates: April 12 to 16, 2026
Location: Nong Bua Road, Mueang Chiang Rai District
Contact: Chiang Rai Municipality, Tel. 053-160776

In addition, the Traditional Lanna New Year Celebration, Chulasakkarat 1388, held in Chiang Rai city from April 12 to 16, 2026, includes several cultural highlights and festive activities.

Event highlights in Chiang Rai city

Sunday, April 12, 2026

4:00 PM
The ceremonial procession of support poles for the sacred Bodhi tree begins in front of the Chiang Rai University for the Third Age. The parade moves to Phra That Wang Sang at the Bodhi tree courtyard. A worship ceremony will honor the Sri Maha Bodhi tree from India, planted in 2003, which now gives beautiful shade. After that, visitors can join the cloth-wrapping and holy water bathing ceremony for Phra That Wang Sang.

Monday, April 13, 2026

7:00 AM
Merit-making and alms offering for 74 monks and novices, starting from Suriwong Intersection and continuing along Thanalai Road to the Chiang Rai Provincial Court Intersection.
8:30 AM
A spirit shrine ceremony, followed by the traditional water-pouring ritual to pay respect to the ancestral guardian spirits in front of the Chiang Rai Municipality Office.
1:00 PM
The Pi Mai Mueang cultural parade forms at Suriwong Intersection, then travels along Thanalai Road to Suan Tung and Khom Park.
3:00 PM
Festival activities include the Songkran beauty contest, community cooking contests, larb competition, gaeng om cooking,ลีลา-style som tam, and a community singing contest. There will also be live entertainment from Tent Pitchaya and Arm, known for a tribute performance to Jintara. The venue is Suan Tung and Khom Park, Chiang Rai Municipality.

April 13 to 16, 2026

Songkran water-play zones open along Thanalai Road, Nong Bua Community, and Sankhong Noi Water Street.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

1:00 PM
A parade of Phra Chao Song Si takes place, along with a water-pouring ceremony to honor community elders in Sankhong Noi.
4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Opening ceremony for the Nong Bua Community Water Street celebration.

CHIANGRAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL 2026

Dates: April 13 to 15, 2026, water-festival day on April 17, 2026
Location: Kasalong Courtyard, Central Chiang Rai, Mueang Chiang Rai District
Contact: Central Chiang Rai, Tel. 052-020999

Grand Songkran of Three Lands, Walk Across Chiang Saen

Dates: April 13 to 18, 2026
Location: Mekong riverside road, in front of Chiang Saen District Office, Chiang Saen District
Contact: Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization, Tel. 053-175333

Chiang Khong Grand Songkran Festival 2026

Date: April 13, 2026
Location: Chiang Khong District area, Chiang Khong District
Contact: Chiang Khong District Office, Tel. 053-791352

Mae Suai Wet Rafting Activity

Dates: February 15 to May 15, 2026
Location: Mae Suai Dam, Mae Suai District
Contact: Wiang Suai Subdistrict Municipality, Tel. 053-786341, Mae Suai Subdistrict Municipality, Tel. 053-786123

Riverside Rafts at Khun Korn Waterfall

Dates: Now through May 10, 2026
Location: Khun Korn Waterfall area, Mueang Chiang Rai District
Contact: Mae Korn Subdistrict Municipality, Tel. 053-726368-9

Pha Ma Weir Wet Rafting

Dates: March 15 to April 15, 2026
Location: Pha Ma Weir, Mae Chan District
Contact: Sai Nam Kham Subdistrict Municipality, Tel. 053-779088, Mr. Weerayut, Tel. 088-8063836

Huai Din Dam Reservoir

Dates: March 1 to May 1, 2026
Location: Huai Din Dam Reservoir, Wiang Chiang Rung District
Contact: Thung Ko Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Tel. 053-953418

If you’re heading to northern Thailand for the Thai New Year, Chiang Rai has both cultural events and lively splash zones. You can join parades, earn merit, enjoy local food contests, and cool off at popular water-play streets across the province.