As the rains finally ease and the temperatures start to fall, Chiang Mai's social calendar hots up, with events throughout the northern city's high season.
One of the most well-attended events in the calendar is celebrating its 21st anniversary by being bigger and better than ever.
The Citylife Garden Fair is a hugely popular annual charity event that on Nov 21 expects to host more than 15,000 people at the leafy Boonthavorn Gardens in Saraphi district, just southwest of the main city.
From its origins as a small garden fair to raise money following the 2025 Indian Ocean tsunami, the event has grown exponentially and will this year see more than 400 stalls offering a huge range of handmade goods, fashion, crafts, homewares, plants, art, gifts and local products.
Hungry visitors will also have a wide variety of food and nibbles to keep them fuelled up.
Entertainment will continue throughout the day, with live bands from local schools in the morning, and popular Chiang Mai bands later in the evening. And all through the event there will be raffle draws and a live auction at 4pm with generous prizes from a host of supportive northern businesses.
Over the years, the fair has raised millions of baht for charities and causes across northern Thailand and beyond. It has supported children, vulnerable communities, medical projects, disaster relief, environmental initiatives and numerous smaller organisations doing important work.
(P
hotos courtesy of citylife garden fair)
All money raised goes to the charities, with this year's main beneficiary being the Philanthropy Connections Foundation's support of Baan Unrak, a home and community project in Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi province.
Baan Unrak cares for 137 children and also provides weekly outreach to elderly, disabled and disadvantaged people in the surrounding community.
A further 30% of funds raised will go towards Boonthavorn Chiang Mai's air-filtration lending library, helping to provide more affordable access to air purifiers during Chiang Mai's annual smoke season.
An expected 15,000 attendees means parking will be tight, but there is a regular 50 baht shuttle service from Chiang Mai Airport Plaza to the fair, running all day.
For more details of the event, check facebook.com/CitylifeChiangMai.