The temperatures are pleasantly cool and the flowers are in full bloom. December and January are ideal months to visit the cooler northern regions of Thailand. Here are our top 5 travel tips for winter in Thailand.

Chiang Rai

The 16th Chiang Rai Flower Festival takes place from December 27, 2019 to January 19, 2020 in Tung and Khom Park, showcasing a wide variety of flowers from cooler climates, as well as cultural and contemporary performances by local youth groups and well-known bands. Live music is featured in the park every Saturday until February 15, 2020.

The Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival 2019 will take place from December 25, 2019 to January 12, 2020 at Mae Kok Riverside Flower Park and will offer a wide variety of cool-climate flowers, cultural performances and a local fair.

The "Six Colors of Doi Tung" showcase local crafts, culinary delights, traditional performances, and interactive activities that reflect the lives of the hill tribes. The event takes place on Doi Tung from December 4th to 10th, December 14th to 15th, December 21st, 2019, January 5th, 2020, and January 11th to 12th, 2020. For more information, please visit the Facebook page: DoiTungClub.

The Mae Salong Tea Festival takes place from December 28, 2019 to January 2, 2020 in Ban Santikhiri, Mae Fah Luang District. The event invites local and international travelers to taste the typical tea from Mae Salong, admire the cherry blossoms in all their glory, and enjoy the cuisine of the hill tribes.

Loei

The Winter Flower Festival 2019 will take place from December 28, 2019 to January 1, 2020 at the Loei District Office and will feature a wide variety of flowers from cooler climates, competitions, musical performances, a funfair and a grand New Year's ceremony to win merit.

The cherry blossom festival (wild Himalayan cherry) in Thailand takes place in January and February 2020 in Loei, more precisely in Phu Lom Lo in the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Dan Sai. For exact blooming times, please contact the TAT office in Loei.

Nakhon Sawan

The Lantern Festival in Nakhon Sawan takes place from December 24, 2019, to January 4, 2020. In addition to elaborate light installations, there is a giant light tunnel, a Christmas tree, and gifts made of tiny lights. The 12-day festival also features music in the park, a singing competition, dance shows, blacklight painting, and a funfair.

Lop Buri

The Sunflower Festival in Khao Chin Lae takes place from December 21, 2019, to January 2, 2020. Spanning over 1,200 rai (475 hectares), the fields are a vibrant yellow. Visitors can enjoy a tram ride through the fields, pony rides, take selfies with the giant sunflowers, and much more. In the same province, the Sunflower Festival in Ban Son Lek Fai, covering more than 100 rai, typically begins before the New Year.

Sakon Nakhon

Ban Ta Rae in Sakon Nakhon is home to Thailand's largest Roman Catholic community, which has celebrated the annual Poinsettia procession since 1982. This year, the Sakon Nakhon Poinsettia Parade 2019 will take place from December 21st to 24th, 2019, at the Martino Pavilion in Ban Ta Rae and on December 25th at the Saint Joseph Sakon Nakhon School. The famous traditional Sakon Nakhon Poinsettia Parade itself will take place on December 23rd, 2019, starting at 6:00 PM, followed by an opening ceremony.