A highlight of the festival is the grand parade that attracts sponsoring companies and organisations that beautify floats with elaborate flower decorations, presenting an eco-tourism message or just simply stealing the hearts of spectators with their vivid colours and beauty.

The parade leads up to the annual beauty competition to crown the city's flower queen, who represents the flower growers and exporters as an ambassador of good will.

Entertainment, an opportunity to dine on tasty northern snacks and view cultural performances are clearly features that draw both visitors and locals to this annual event.

Home and garden lovers discover Chiang Mai is a February showcase for exotic orchids, flowering plants and blooms that thrive in the northern valley's temperate cool season.Particularly during the cool season months, mid-November through to February, this northern provinces justifies its title "Rose of the North." But for flower lovers, who flock to this annual festival, 6 to 8 February in the town's Buak Hat Park, there is far more to the town's garden reputation than the impressive display of elegant roses.

Since 1977 when the annual festival was inaugurated, it has earned a reputation on par with similar events such as Japan Sakura Flower Festival and the Netherlands' flower parades. This was further enhanced by the successful flower expo in 2006.
Due variations of climate and its mountain landscapes, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival presents a diversity of blooms and flowers. Many of them, originally imported from temperate climes such as carnations, chrysanthemum, tulips, are displayed side-by-side with tropical flowers including exotic orchids.

Friday 6th February, 2009
09.00 am - midnight : Flower Exhibition, Flower and Gardening Contest
at Buak Haad Public Park
09.00 am - midnight : Local Product Fair at Buak Haad Public Park
09.00 am - midnight : Food Fair on Arak Road nearby Buak Haad Public Park
05.00 pm                : Opening ceremony of Flower and gardening exhibition 
and local product fair at Buak Haad Public Park
07.00 pm - 10.00 pm : Miss Flower Bloom and Miss International Flower Bloom contest
at Buak Haad Public Park

Saturday 7th February, 2009
06.00 am - 12.00 pm : "Kadmua" (traditional market) next to the governor's residence
08.00 am                 : Opening ceremony of the 33rd Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2009 
by Mr. Wiboon Sa-nguanphong, Chiang Mai Governor
at Nawarat Bridge. Launching Flower Floats Parade. 
09.00 am - midnight : Flower Exhibition, Flower and Gardening Contest
at Buak Haad Public Park
09.00 am - midnight : Local Product Fair at Buak Haad Public Park
09.00 am - midnight : Food Fair on Arak Road nearby Buak Haad Public Park
07.00 pm - 10.00 pm : Musical in Park at Buak Haad Public Park

Sunday 8th February, 2009
09.00 am - midnight : Flower Exhibition, Flower and Gardening Contest
at Buak Haad Public Park 
09.00 am - midnight : Local Product Fair at Buak haad Public Park  
09.00 am - midnight : Food Fair on Arak Road nearby Buak haad Public Park
07.00 pm - 10.00 pm : Music in Park at Buak Haad Public Park

Contact :
TAT Chiang Mai Office
Tel : 66 (0) 5324 8604, 5324 8607, 5324 1466
Chiang Mai Municipality Office
Tel : 66 5324 8604
Website : www.tatchiangmai .org