Cicada Market - Hua Hin
Cicada Market is Hua Hin’s weekend open-air creative market, established as a meeting ground for regional art, design, and live performance. Set within a leafy garden park, the venue runs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, presenting an alternative to conventional Thai night bazaars by prioritising original handmade wares, contemporary artwork, and cultural showcases over mass-produced goods.
The market takes its name from the acronym Community of Identity, Culture, Arts and Dynamic Activities, and brings together independent makers, illustrators, sculptors, and musicians. Visitors can wander through outdoor stalls selling handcrafted clothing, ceramics, home decor, and jewellery, or watch artists sketching portraits and painting canvases in real time. Tree-shaded seating surrounds an open-air amphitheatre where live bands and performance groups play into the evening, alongside a spacious dining area dedicated to regional Thai dishes and desserts.
Most travellers spend between two and three hours exploring the grounds, browsing the creative displays, and eating on site. The market suits anyone who appreciates artisan crafts and prefers an unhurried, culture-led evening.
What's There
Cicada Market is laid out across four designated zones set among tropical garden pathways: Art A La Mode, Cicada Art Factory, the Amphitheatre, and Cicada Cuisine.
Art A La Mode occupies the open pathways, with stalls run by independent designers, art students, and craftspeople. Rather than mass-produced souvenirs, vendors sell handmade jewellery, leather accessories, ceramics, printed t-shirts, and tailored clothing. Many stallholders produce their wares locally, giving the retail space a focused craft-fair feel.
At the centre of the grounds, the Cicada Art Factory occupies two elevated white wooden pavilions. These indoor spaces operate as contemporary galleries, displaying rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, illustrations, and photography by Thai artists. Visitors can browse original artwork, buy pieces directly, or sit for hand-drawn portraits and caricatures from artists working on the covered verandahs.
Live entertainment takes place at the Amphitheatre, an outdoor semicircular performance area with terraced seating framed by mature trees. Throughout the evening, acoustic musicians, local bands, dance groups, and street performers take the stage, providing a spot to pause and listen between browsing stalls.
Cicada Cuisine sits at one side of the garden, arranged around rows of communal wooden tables. Stalls prepare a broad mix of Thai and regional street food alongside international choices. Dishes range from freshly grilled prawns, squid, and pork satay to traditional specialities such as khao khluk kapi (rice seasoned with shrimp paste) and pad Thai, alongside fruit smoothies and desserts.
Getting There and Logistics
Cicada Market sits in Nong Kae at the southern end of Hua Hin, roughly 5 kilometres south of the central clock tower. Reaching the venue from town is straightforward. The most affordable transport is the green songthaew, a shared pickup truck running between central Hua Hin and Khao Takiab along Phetkasem Road. These vehicles pass the market entrance directly without requiring a transfer, charging 10 to 15 THB (around £0.25 to £0.35) per passenger. Alternatively, tuk-tuks and app-based rides like Grab cost roughly 100 to 150 THB (£2.30 to £3.50) from central hotels. Drivers arriving by car or scooter can use the on-site parking, though spaces fill quickly on Saturday evenings.
The market opens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, operating from 16:00 to 23:00. General admission is free. For retail purchases, art and clothing stalls trade in cash, though select vendors take Thai mobile banking transfers. Dining in the food village works differently: cash cannot be used directly at food stalls. Instead, you buy paper vouchers at coupon booths near the perimeter, then spend them across the food and drink stalls. Any unspent coupons can be returned to the booths for a cash refund before leaving.
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Quick Reference Table
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Opening days & hours | Friday – Sunday, 16:00 – 23:00 | Runs weekly on weekend evenings |
| Admission | Free | Open access to all market zones and live performances |
| Typical visit duration | 2 – 3 hours | Sufficient time for browsing craft stalls, galleries, and dining |
| Distance from centre | Approx. 5 km south | Located in Nong Kae, south of the central Hua Hin clock tower |
| Shared songthaew fare | 10 – 15 THB (approx. £0.25 – £0.35) | Green pickup route along Phetkasem Road between town and Khao Takiab |
| Tuk-tuk & taxi fare | Approx. 100 – 150 THB (£2.30 – £3.50) | Typical one-way Grab or tuk-tuk fare from central hotels |
| Food village payment | Prepaid paper coupons | Cash exchanged at perimeter booths; unused coupons are refundable |
| Website | https://www.cicadamarket.com | Official website |
FAQ: Cicada Market - Hua Hin
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Reviewed by the Thailand Guide Editorial Team • Last reviewed: 26 September 2026
This page is provided for general information only. While we aim for accuracy, details can change — please verify anything important independently before relying on it.
