Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Guide 2026
What To Expect, What To Eat, What To Buy and Tips Before You Go
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is one of the city’s most well known evening attractions. Unlike the Sunday Walking Street Market, which happens once a week, the Night Bazaar runs almost every night and offers a lively mix of shopping, food, and entertainment.
When we visited Chiang Mai, the Night Bazaar felt more energetic and bustling. It is a place where travelers and locals mix, where you can browse for souvenirs, grab dinner, and enjoy the city after dark without needing a structured plan.
This guide covers everything you need to know so you can decide if it fits your travel style and how to enjoy it once you are there.
What Is the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a large evening market area located just east of the Old City, centered around Chang Klan Road.
Rather than a single street, it is a collection of:
• covered stalls
• open air vendor rows
• food courts
• bars and performance spaces
Because it operates most nights, it feels more commercial than the Sunday Walking Street, but it is still an iconic Chiang Mai experience.
Why People Visit the Night Bazaar
Easy Evening Activity
If you are not in Chiang Mai on a Sunday, the Night Bazaar offers a similar vibe on any given night.
Wide Variety of Shopping
This is one of the best places in Chiang Mai to find souvenirs in one concentrated area.
Food and Entertainment Combined
You can shop, eat, listen to music, and relax all in one place.
Best Time to Visit
The Night Bazaar typically comes alive after sunset.
Ideal timing
Arrive between early evening and later evening.
• stalls are fully open
• food vendors are active
• temperatures are cooler
Arriving too early means fewer stalls. Arriving very late can feel rushed as vendors begin packing up.
What to Eat at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Food is a major part of the experience here.
Common food options
• Thai street food staples
• grilled meats and seafood
• pad thai and fried rice
• northern Thai dishes
• fruit smoothies and desserts
There are also sit down restaurants and food courts nearby if you want a break from street food.
What to Buy at the Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar is known for variety rather than uniqueness.
Popular items
• clothing and accessories
• handbags and wallets
• scarves and textiles
• souvenirs and gifts
• artwork and crafts
Prices can be higher than at local markets, and bargaining is expected.
Bargaining Tips
Unlike the Sunday Walking Street, bargaining is more common here.
Tips:
• be polite and friendly
• do not over negotiate
• walk away if the price does not feel right
• cash helps
Remember that small differences matter more to vendors than to travelers.
Entertainment and Atmosphere
You will often find:
• live music
• small performances
• bars with outdoor seating
The atmosphere feels lively and social, especially later in the evening.
How Long to Spend Here
Plan for 1.5 to 3 hours.
It works well as:
• a casual dinner stop
• an evening stroll
• a shopping destination
You can come and go without pressure.
How to Get to the Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar is easy to reach from most parts of Chiang Mai.
Options include:
• walking from nearby hotels
• songthaews
• Grab
• tuk tuks
It is located outside the Old City but close enough to reach quickly.
What to Bring
• cash in small bills
• comfortable shoes
• awareness of surroundings
• a reusable bag
Mobile payments may be accepted at some stalls, but cash is best.
Night Bazaar vs Sunday Walking Street
This is a common question.
Night Bazaar
• open most nights
• more commercial
• easier to fit into any schedule
• heavier bargaining
Sunday Walking Street
• once a week
• more local artisans
• community feel
• less bargaining
Both are worth visiting if you have time.
Who Will Enjoy the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
• first time visitors
• souvenir shoppers
• travelers wanting evening activity
• people who enjoy lively markets
• those short on time
It is especially convenient if you want a no planning night out.
Is the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Worth Visiting
Yes, especially if you want an easy, energetic evening option.
The Night Bazaar may not feel as intimate as the Sunday Walking Street, but it offers consistency, variety, and accessibility. It is a classic Chiang Mai experience and a good way to spend an evening exploring food, shopping, and nightlife in one place.
