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Flower parade, Thailand

Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Each February Chiang Mai holds a three-day flower festival. Its centrepiece is a parade of floats from the province's districts, decorated mostly in fresh flowers and judged in two categories.

A float in the Chiang Mai Flower Festival parade, 2013

Photo: FredTC, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

How the floats are judged

  • Around two dozen district floats compete.
  • In the beauty and cultural conservation category, at least 70 per cent of the decoration must be fresh flowers, leaves or stems.
  • In the creativity and local wisdom category, at least 60 per cent must be fresh plant material, combined with natural local materials.
  • The best float overall receives a royal trophy.

History

The festival was first held in 1977. The 2026 edition was the 49th.

Recent winners

YearBest floatNotes
2026Hang Dong districtBest float overall. Category winners: Mae Taeng (beauty and cultural conservation), Mueang Chiang Mai (creativity and local wisdom)

Photos

A flower float at the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, 2015

Photo: _TC Photography_, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.

A flower float at the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, 2012

Photo: Avisadehh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival parade, 2013

Photo: FredTC, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources

Checked November 2026. Dates and rules change, so check the official site before you travel or enter.