Chiang Mai events & things to do in November 2026
Start with Tha Phae Gate, Warorot Market, plus Wiang Kum Kam. November in Chiang Mai averages 31°C / 88°F highs, 19°C / 67°F nights, and about 5 rainy days.
Expect 31°C/88°F days and about 5 rainy ones in November. Start with these:
- Tha Phae Gate★ 4.4 · 28.9k reviewsTha Phae Gate marks the east side of the Old City moat and was rebuilt in the 1980s.
- Warorot Market★ 4.4 · 6.8k reviewsWarorot Market, also called Kad Luang, is the practical food and goods market near the Ping River.
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Chiang Mai in November 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
88°F / 67°F
30.9°C / 19.3°C
RainPrecipitation
5d
2in · 50mm
LightDaylight
11.1h
November is prime cool season and Yi Peng-Loi Krathong time, so reserve hotels and river-area transport early.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Nov 1 – Nov 30
Loi Krathong and Yi Peng Festivals
If you like candles placed in colourful paper lanterns, fireworks, beautiful girls in traditional dress, parade floats, lots of food and parties.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: Month Signals
- Nov 14 – Nov 16
Loi Krathong Festival
A beautiful festival where locals and visitors float decorated baskets (krathongs) on rivers and lakes to pay respect to the water spirits.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 14 – Nov 16
Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Coinciding with Loi Krathong, Yi Peng is famous for releasing thousands of paper lanterns into the night sky, creating a magical spectacle.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Show all 4 events for November
- Nov 24 – Nov 25
Associated occasion: Loy Krathong / Yi Peng.
Planning lead · approximate date · Source: festival calendar
About Chiang Mai
City overview
Chiang Mai began in 1296 as the walled Lanna capital in northern Thailand, with the Ping River, moat, Doi Suthep, and old gates still defining how visitors move through the city. The Old City and Tha Phae Gate hold temples and walking streets, Nimmanhaemin points toward Chiang Mai University and Doi Suthep, and the Riverside-Night Bazaar corridor follows the eastward expansion toward the Ping.
Food & drink
Chiang Mai food is northern Thai and market-led: khao soi serves curry noodles with coconut broth and crisp noodles on top, hang lay is a tamarind-ginger pork curry, sai ua is herb-heavy northern sausage, and nam prik ong or nam prik noom turns chile dips into meals with vegetables and sticky rice. Anusarn Market, Kalare Food Centre, Chiang Mai Gate food stalls, Warorot Market, Suthep Road carts, and Huen Muan Jai add khantoke meals and coffee from northern hills.
Top sights
Ranked for November suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Wiang Kum Kam
- 2Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market
- 3Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
- 4Wat Chedi Luang
- 5Wat Phra Singh
- 6Wat Chiang Man
- 7Wat Si Suphan
- 8Chiang Mai Historical Centre
1Wiang Kum Kam
4.3★ · 1,697outdoorOpen dailyWiang Kum Kam is a 13th-century Lanna settlement south of Chiang Mai that flooded after the Ping River changed course. Brick ruins and temple remains show the pre-Chiang Mai capital site.
Wikipedia
2Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market
4.2★ · 4,443outdoorOpen dailyThe Changklan Road Night Bazaar district and Anusarn Market combine souvenir stalls, food vendors, Kalare Food Centre, and evening foot traffic east of the Old City. It is touristy but central for a first evening.
3Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
4.7★ · 11,731indoorOpen dailyThe mountain temple sits about 18km from the city at 1,073m elevation and is the signature Chiang Mai viewpoint. The Naga staircase has more than 200 steps, with a cable car alternative for the final climb.
Use a morning red songthaew from Chang Phuak Gate or Chiang Mai University; the winding road causes motion sickness for some travelers.
Show 3 more sights
- 4Wat Chedi Luang
- 5Wat Phra Singh
- 6Wat Chiang Man
Neighborhoods
1Old City
The Old City sits inside the moat with Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man, Tha Phae Gate, guesthouses, massage schools, and Sunday Walking Street.
2Tha Phae and Night Bazaar
Tha Phae and the Night Bazaar run east from the moat to Changklan Road, with Anusarn Market, Kalare Food Centre, Loi Kroh Road, tour desks, and hotels.
3Nimmanhaemin and Chiang Mai University
Nimmanhaemin and Chiang Mai University are west of the moat, with Maya mall, coffee shops, student streets, galleries, and the road toward Doi Suthep.
Day trips
60km / about 1.5-2h by car or tour van southwest of Chiang Mai
Doi Inthanon National Park
Thailand highest peak reaches 2,599m, with waterfalls, cloud forest, royal pagodas, and cooler air. A car or tour makes the scattered stops much easier than public transport.
26km / about 40min by blue songthaew or train southeast of Chiang Mai
Lamphun
Lamphun has Hariphunchai history, temples, quieter streets, and longan-season context. It is the easiest low-key town trip from the city.
75km / about 1.5h by car or bus north of Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Chiang Dao offers mountain scenery, caves, temples, and access to trekking routes. It makes sense for travelers wanting cooler mountain air beyond the city basin.
Getting around
Red songthaews are the default Chiang Mai transport inside and around the moat, with red trucks roaming central streets and colored route songthaews leaving for nearby towns. RTC buses, Grab, Bolt, tuk-tuks, walking inside the Old City, and arranged songthaews for Doi Suthep are the practical mix; agree songthaew and tuk-tuk prices before riding.
Planning a Chiang Mai trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in November.
Common questions about Chiang Mai in November
- What to pack for Chiang Mai in November
Pack for November's weather, not a generic Chiang Mai checklist.
- Light, breathable daytime clothes for average highs around 31°C / 88°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 19°C / 67°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 5 days.
- How many days do you need in Chiang Mai
- 4 days covers the main Chiang Mai highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Chiang Mai worth visiting in November
- Yes. November in Chiang Mai averages 31°C / 88°F highs, 19°C / 67°F nights, and about 5 rainy days.
Ready to plan Chiang Mai?
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