Sparking Creative Power Beyond Limits! CEA Announces Chiang Mai Design Week 2026 under the theme “Local Thunders, Global Transformation,” Setting a Benchmark to Drive Business, Scent Innovation, and Sustainability onto the Global Stage.

The Creative Economy Agency (CEA), Northern Office, is preparing to host the grand year-end event, Chiang Mai Design Week 2026, from December 5th to 13th, 2026, under the main theme “Local Thunders, Global Transformation.” This event aims to spark creative power through collaboration between local and international creators, unlocking the potential of “people” and profound local wisdom to prepare for “shifting” and coping with an uncertain world, utilizing the creative industry as a new engine to propel Thai businesses and creators onto the international stage through three strategic drivers:

• New Opportunities: Activities such as Business Matching, Studio Visits, Pop Markets, Cross-Industry Projects (Craft x Design x Food), and International Residencies.

• Homecoming Creator Integration: Including “Homecoming Club Speed Dating” to connect returning creators with local communities.

• Local Sustainable Living: Bridging generations and using creativity to solve aging society and environmental issues (Design for Better Living).

The event is filled with a creative atmosphere, featuring discussions led by Imhathai Kanjina, Director of the CEA Northern Office, alongside partners from creative groups, business networks, and the creative industry, including:

Karnchanok Prakaswutisarn, Deputy Mayor of Chiang Mai Municipality, Dr. Kobkit Isarachiewattana, Chairman of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, Chawanat Sinthukhiao, President of the Thai Spa and Wellness Association,Thanyaporn Jittapirom, representative from the PATTERN.ERS creative group.

Additionally, there will be a special lecture on “International Law and Protection Rights” by Kittithep Jingjit, Director of AK IP Venture Co., Ltd.

Over the 9 days, the event will feature programs from creative networks across the North, showcasing stories of food, crafts, music, and design. As for the highlights, the festival invites viewers to explore the natural and cultural assets of the North, aligning with government policies to drive the “Wellness Economy”:

• Scents Asia 2026: A strategic project connecting the scent industry supply chain from upstream to downstream to elevate creative products and open new economic opportunities. Key highlights include: ‘Asia Scent Showcase,’ an exhibition space for innovation and scent products from over 50 local brands; ‘Balance in Balance Exhibitions,’ an immersive scent innovation exhibition showcasing the potential of local ingredients; and ‘Scents Asia Awards,’ a Make Scents Award contest honoring perfumers who blend local ingredients with innovation, in collaboration with experts from France to elevate standards to an international level.

• Wellness Economy Exhibitions: Presenting the potential of local ingredients to create new value for the wellness industry, driving “scent” across other industries.

• LABBfest.: A music festival connecting Northern artists with both domestic and international stages.

• Pop Market: A creative market offering products and services using sustainable processes, from the products sold to the event management.

• Trade & Business Matching: A B2B business negotiation platform connecting Thai entrepreneurs and creators with experts, buyers, and creative industry networks both domestically and internationally to open doors to the global market.

• Workshops and Art: Including numerous workshops and contemporary art performances designed for all groups, from families and Gen Z to the elderly.

Chiang Mai Design Week (CMDW) is an economic driver that has consistently proven its success, pushing the festival’s standards to be an “International Festival” recognized as a member of World Design Weeks for over 11 years. In the previous year (CMDW2025), the festival attracted up to 170,517 attendees and generated an economic impact of 1,554 million baht (Direct Impact 823.98 million baht), while also stimulating over 3,134 local jobs. This year, it is expected to create phenomena and drive the creative economy to a higher level of growth, ready to export Thai creators and creative businesses to the international stage.

Join us in celebrating, sharing, and weaving creative power to let our North shine, while inspiring to drive the world at Chiang Mai Design Week 2026, under the theme “Local Thunders, Global Transformation,” from December 5th to 13th, 2026, in Chiang Mai!

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