Cicada Market is an open-air art market on the southern side of Hua Hin, near Khao Takiab, open Friday to Sunday evenings. Stalls sell handmade decor, clothing, jewelry, paintings and design goods, many made by local artists, and some artists paint at their stalls while you browse. A food area serves Thai and international dishes, and an open-air stage hosts music, dance, theatre and magic acts. The market is laid out in four zones and is easy to walk. It is a calmer, more art-minded choice than the night market in the town centre.
An art market built around community
Cicada Market opened in 2010 in the Khao Takiab area of Hua Hin. It was set up as a meeting point for artists, designers, creators, students, visitors and the local community, with the aim of bringing culture and the arts into everyday life.
That purpose shapes what is sold. Along with handmade decorative items and fashion, you find secondhand goods and small-business products with inventive ideas, laid out on open mats and in small shops. The programme also includes workshops and exhibitions, and performances by university fine arts faculties, community theatre groups and visiting artists.
The market is open Friday to Sunday evenings and draws weekenders from Bangkok as well as local residents. It is more organised and less hurried than the usual Thai night market, and people tend to stay for a few hours.
The four zones
The market is divided into four zones, each named with the word Art. Art of Eating is the food area. Art of Act holds the entertainment, including the amphitheatre. Art a la Mode is the clothing and accessories zone, and it takes up most of the outdoor space. Art Indoors is for home decor, with indoor galleries showing paintings and sculpture.
In the fashion zone you can find clothes, handmade accessories, bags, eyewear and home goods. Look for printed t-shirts with work by local artists, hand-painted scarves, pottery, ceramics, batik clothing and handcrafted jewelry. Some artists work on site, so you can watch a piece being painted or ask for a sketch.
The grounds are a lit garden under large old trees, with string lights along the walkways. It is a pleasant place to walk even if you buy nothing.
Eating at the market
The food area is an open-air court in the garden, with stalls serving dishes from several regions of Thailand as well as international food. Desserts include both Thai and Western sweets. Chicken satay and other meat skewers are easy to find, and so are banana pancakes. Vegetarian options are available, and the food here leans a little more modern than at the town's older markets.
Ordering works through coupons. You exchange money for coupons at the entrance and pay the stalls with them. Buy a modest amount first, since unused coupons can be refunded until late in the evening.
There is also a beer garden on the grounds, and plenty of seating, so you can sit with your food while the music plays.
Stage and performances
The amphitheatre is the centre of the evening. Programmes include live music from traditional instruments to jazz ensembles, dance, community theatre, puppet shows and magic acts, many performed by young artists. Buskers also work around the grounds, and the central stage fills from about 20:30.
The schedule changes with the week and the season, so the acts you see may differ from those described here. Magic shows are held twice in the evening, at about 19:00 and 21:00. The market sometimes holds outdoor concerts and film screenings as well.
Getting there and practical details
The market sits on Nong Kae to Takiab Road, south of the town centre and near the Hyatt Regency at Khao Takiab. You can enter from Soi Hua Thanon 21 or Soi Hua Thanon 23. A green songthaew from town goes there, and it is about a 10-minute drive from the centre.
Parking includes a free lot, a paid lot and street parking. The entrance, restrooms and parking lot are wheelchair accessible, and the market is suitable for children.
The Tamarind market, which focuses more on food and live music, is about a 5-minute walk away, so the two can be combined in one evening.
FAQ
Which days is Cicada Market open?
It is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with stalls from about 4 PM. Check the opening hours shown on this page, since Sunday may close earlier.
How do you pay for food at Cicada Market?
Food stalls take coupons, which you buy at the entrance. Unused coupons can be refunded until late in the evening. Carry cash in small notes for the craft stalls.
How long do you need at Cicada Market?
Plan on 2 to 3 hours to browse the four zones, eat and watch some of the stage programme.
Is Cicada Market good for children?
Yes. The layout is clear, the grounds are open and relaxed, and the market is suitable for families. Some events include workshops for children.
Where is Cicada Market and how do you get there?
It is on Nong Kae to Takiab Road in Hua Hin, south of the town centre near Khao Takiab. Enter from Soi Hua Thanon 21 or 23. You can drive or take a green songthaew.
Is Cicada Market wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are all wheelchair accessible.
