Chiang Mai Design Week 2025
Chiang Mai Design Week 2025 “Local Plus: Creativity, Technology and Sustainability” Uniting the Power of “Local Plus” and Showcasing Local Creativity on a Global Scale, Taking Place from 6 - 14 December 2025 in Chiang Mai
“Chiang Mai Design Week” (CMDW) is an annual creative festival organized by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, in collaboration with a network of creatives and entrepreneurs from Northern Thailand. The festival showcases projects and ideas that leverage the power of local roots by integrating creativity and innovation into everyday life. It also serves as a platform for regional and international collaboration, aiming to elevate the economy while addressing contemporary social and environmental challenges.
CMDW2025 Theme: “Local Plus: Creativity, Technology, Sustainability”
In 2025, CMDW2025 will be held for the 11th time under the theme “Local Plus: Creativity, Technology and Sustainability.” The festival will take place from 6 - 14 December 2025 across Chiang Mai’s Klang Wiang, Chang Moi - Tha Phae, and Sanpakoi districts, as well as other venues throughout the province. The festival aims to create a positive and collaborative space (+) that brings together people, organizations, and communities. Beyond the ‘Plus/Add’ (+) concept, it incorporates other mathematical symbols to convey deeper meanings: Multiply (×): Amplifying local creativity to reach global standards. Divide (÷): Sharing knowledge and creative innovations. Subtract (-): Reducing limitations and environmental impact. All of these elements come together in an equation of endless possibilities (∞), offering people of all ages the opportunity to explore and enjoy a wide range of creative activities.
CMDW2025’s Three Key Objectives
These concepts are reflected across more than 150 programs presented by a network of creatives from across Northern Thailand, showcasing stories in food, crafts, music, and design. The festival focuses on three main objectives:
(1) Homecoming: Celebrating local creatives returning to their roots.
(2) Local Sustainable Living: Preserving and promoting sustainable local lifestyles.
(3) New Opportunities: Connecting networks of creatives and entrepreneurs to create new opportunities.
The Five Creative Equation Concepts at CMDW2025 and 15 Highlight Programs from Over 150 Programs at CMDW2025
1. (+) Plus/Add — Bringing together the collective power of creatives, organizations, and sectors to elevate Chiang Mai and Northern cities beyond tourism, opening new opportunities for creative communities (e.g., craft, wellness). Highlight programs include:
(1) Make Scents, Make Sense — “Create Scent, Create Place, Create Future” by CEA Northern Regional Office, in collaboration with the Thai Perfumers and LOSIam (Laboratoire Olfactif du Siam), a Siamese fragrance extraction laboratory. An exhibition that reframes ‘fragrance’ as Thai creative capital — expressing terroir and wisdom that can drive the wellness industry and the creative economy through nature-derived scents. Venue: TCDC Chiang Mai, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
(2) The Homecoming Club by ThairathPlus — “A Place That Invites You Back Home” Exhibition and events exploring the Northern creative ecosystem through business programs in Arts, Music, Product, and Chef, plus interactive zones to inspire and unlock opportunities in Chiang Mai and the North. Venue: Sri Lanna Thai Cultural Promotion Association, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
(3) CMDW × Mango Art Festival — “International Art Showcase” under the theme ‘TREASURE DISCOVERED 2025.’ New contexts and perspectives from Thai and international artists in a brand-new creative space set among ancient rice barns and tens of thousands of heritage furniture pieces. Venue: De Siam Antiques Chiangmai, 5 - 10 December 2025, 12.00 - 20.00 hrs.
(4) Chiang Mai HO Zix — “The Biggest Lineup of Chiang Mai Original Artists This Year,” featuring 40+ local artists spanning Luk Thung (Thai Country Music), Northern Thai folk songs, Pop, Alt Rock, Dream Pop, Rock & Roll, Blues, Fusion Jazz, and Instrumental — reflecting the authentic life and mood of Chiang Mai. Venue: Uniserv CMU Carbon Parking Lot, 8 - 11 December 2025, 16.30 - 23.00 hrs.
2. (×) Multiply — Scaling to international standards & forging global collaboration. CMDW2025 partners with networks from over 10 countries, including China, Japan, Taiwan, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, France, Canada, and Russia, presenting designer pavilions and experience-sharing activities between local and international creatives. Highlight programs include:
(5) LABBfest. 2025 — “Music & Creative Live Performance Festival” An intimate music festival featuring artists from Northern Thailand and abroad (Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, France, Canada). Venue: Club Caring CNX, 6 - 7 December 2025, 17.00 - 23.00 hrs.
(6) International Design Showcase — “Plus-Powered International Craft Showcase” A platform for international designers to exchange inspiration and skills, connecting Chiang Mai and the North to global creative opportunities. Explore exhibitions from China, Taiwan, Japan, Laos, France, and Russia. Venue: Klang Wiang Art Gallery, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
(7) CRAFTed of Taste: The Art of Eating — “Bridging Thai-French Culture through Craft” French and Chiang Mai ceramicists co-create contemporary works inspired by Northern food culture, complemented by sales, workshops, and an exclusive ‘On y mange!’ dinner. Venue: Chiang Mai City History Center, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
(8) Yumeie Dream House Project — “Igniting the Next Generation” by CEA Northern Regional Office and Design and Creative Center Kobe (KIITO), Japan. A youth collaboration exhibition where young people design homes for the ‘New Normal’ with disaster response in mind, guided by the Head-Hand-Heart process (mindset, skills, attitudes). Venue: Chiang Mai City History Center, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
3. (÷) Divide/Share — Sharing knowledge and innovation on global challenges, such as disaster response in the ‘New Norm’ era. Highlight programs include:
(9) Kids’ Creative Power — “Kit-Play-Create” A joyful family-friendly zone with exhibitions, talks, and performances by Part Time Theater and community theater groups Makham Pom and Ta Lent Show Theatre, designed to spark creativity and holistic skills for children of all ages.
(10) RILA – Regenerative Material Collective of Asia A forward-looking event on ‘grown materials,’ building a Living Lab for all audiences to touch, test, and explore the future of materials. Venue: Mr. Leaf, San Kamphaeng, 8.00 - 17.00 hrs.
(11) Chiang Mai Digital Creative Festival A knowledge-exchange and networking platform unlocking opportunities for Thailand’s digital art and content industries and positioning Chiang Mai as a regional and international hub. Dates: 11 - 12 & 13 - 14 December 2025 at the College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University.
4. (-) Subtract — Reducing environmental impact and integrating Northern City Branding. CMDW2025 serves as a model for events that maximize the use of limited resources efficiently.
(12) POP Market — Creative Craft Market A curated market of craft and design by emerging makers — fashion, home décor, and everyday objects — reflecting sustainability values, plus workshops and contemporary art performances. Venue: Lanna Folklife Museum, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
(13) Pavilion: “City-Makers” from Four Northern Provinces An exhibition exploring ‘assets’ and ‘identities’ of Phrae, Nan, Sukhothai, and Phichit, linking neighborhood-to-neighborhood, city-to-city, and people-to-inspiration. Venue: Klang Wiang Hall, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
5. (∞) Infinity — Promoting boundless growth, reinforcing Chiang Mai’s position as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), and boosting confidence among both domestic and international investors.
(14) Design Excellence Award: DEmark An exhibition by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, featuring outstanding Thai products and services in identity and value-creation — elevating Thai design to the global stage. Venue: Klang Wiang Art Gallery, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
(15) Paper Exhibition “Days in Rainy Summer” An experiential paper-art exhibition under Creative Cities Collaboration: From Local Wisdom to Global Products, using the Lanna natural environment and wisdom to express the art of wind — the unseen narrator perceived through sound, light, and motion — reflecting transformation and human-nature connection. Venue: TCDC Chiang Mai, 10.00 - 22.00 hrs.
Chiang Mai Design Week 2025 is more than just a festival — it is a platform that demonstrates the city’s creative potential, reinforcing Chiang Mai’s identity as a city that is ‘Crafting Wellness from Local Essence, Inspiring Asia.’ The festival showcases the collective creative power driving Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand toward sustainable growth on the international stage.
Join us in celebrating, sharing, and empowering creativity to let Northern Thailand shine and inspire the world at “Chiang Mai Design Week 2025” (CMDW2025), taking place from 6 - 14 December 2025 in Klang Wiang, Chang Moi - Tha Phae, Sanpakoi, and other venues across Chiang Mai.
More information:
Website: www.chiangmaidesignweek.com
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