Bo Sang Umbrella Festival

Every January, a small village east of Chiang Mai turns into one big open-air workshop. Bo Sang Umbrella Festival is an annual festival devoted to traditional Thai craftsmanship: making umbrellas from “sa” paper and bamboo. In 2027, it will take place from January 15 to 17. Three days of parades, painting workshops, a handicraft fair, and an evening market with street food. If you are in northern Thailand at that time, the event is definitely worth attention. Here you can not only watch, but literally pick up a brush and try painting an umbrella yourself. By the way, Chiang Mai in January is one of the best cities in Asia for travelers · RU, so there are plenty of reasons to visit.

What is this holiday?

Bo Sang village is famous throughout Thailand as the center of paper umbrella production. This craft has been passed down from generation to generation here for more than two centuries. The umbrellas are made by hand: a bamboo frame, a covering of “sa” paper (made from mulberry tree bark), and painting on top with flowers, birds, or traditional Thai ornaments.

The Bo Sang Umbrella Festival began as a way to draw attention to this disappearing craft. Local craftsmen show the entire process, from preparing the bamboo ribs to the final lacquering. The essence of the festival is preserving the cultural heritage of Lanna, the northern Thai civilization that for centuries developed its own arts and crafts.

The event goes far beyond an “umbrella exhibition.” It is a full-scale cultural festival, with a parade of decorated carts, a beauty contest, musical performances, and dozens of stalls where craftsmen sell their products directly. For the people of Bo Sang, the festival is the main event of the year, and they prepare for it long before it opens 🎉

When and where it takes place

In 2027, the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival is scheduled for January 15–17. Traditionally, the festival is held on the third Friday of January and lasts three days, although the exact dates may shift slightly — we recommend checking closer to the event.

Venue — Bo Sang Village, in San Kamphaeng district, about 9 kilometers east of central Chiang Mai. The village’s main street becomes pedestrian-only during the festival, lined with craftsmen’s tents, performance stages, and food zones.

The event lasts all day. Workshops and demonstrations in the morning, the parade during the day, and the night market with street food and live music in the evening. Admission to the festival is free. By the way, you can get there by songthaew (red pickup truck) from Chiang Mai’s Old City — the trip takes about 20–30 minutes.

Traditions and how it is celebrated

The festival’s main event is the parade. Decorated carts with umbrellas move along Bo Sang’s main street, while young women in traditional Lanna costumes display handicrafts. The sight is vivid: hundreds of painted umbrellas create a real “tunnel” of color.

Umbrella-painting workshops are what many people come for. Tables with blanks, paints, and brushes stand right on the street. For a token fee (usually small, but it is best to check the exact cost on site), you can paint your own umbrella and take it home as a souvenir. The craftsmen give tips on technique and help beginners — the process is accessible even to children 🌴

The Miss Bo Sang beauty contest is another festival tradition. Contestants appear in traditional costumes of northern Thailand, and it is a show in its own right that draws large crowds.

But by evening, the umbrella festival in Chiang Mai takes on a different mood. The lights come on, and a night market with noodles, satay, mango sticky rice, and dozens of other dishes. Musicians play live music. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm — a typical northern Thai evening, only with an incredible number of beautiful umbrellas all around.

Besides umbrellas, the fair sells fans, lanterns, bags made of “sa” paper, and other products from local craftsmen. Everything is handmade, you can touch everything, and watch how it is made. The “Castle of Flowers” is another new attraction in Chiang Mai · RU, which is convenient to combine with a trip to the festival.

Practical tips for tourists

How to get there. From Chiang Mai’s Old City, the easiest way to get to Bo Sang is by songthaew or tuk-tuk — the trip takes 20–30 minutes. You can also rent a motorbike or car. Navigation will take you there if you search for “Bo Sang Village.” If you travel by taxi (Grab), allow time for the return trip — transport gets booked up quickly in the evening.

What to bring. January in Chiang Mai is the dry and cool season. It is comfortable during the day, but the temperature can drop to 15–18°C in the evening. A light jacket or sweater will come in handy. Cash is a must: most vendors at the fair do not accept cards. The nearest ATMs are in San Kamphaeng.

When it is best to visit. If you want to see the parade, come on the first day, usually by noon. For workshops, the morning hours are best, when the lines are shorter. The night market runs all three evenings.

Dress code — casual, as there are no temples on the festival grounds. Comfortable shoes are a must, as you will be doing a lot of walking 📋

Active-lifestyle fans may also be interested in the “Following the Footsteps of Ancient Cities” race · RU, which also takes place in the Lanna region.