Things to Do at Cicada Market

Complete Guide to Cicada Market in Hua Hin

About Cicada Market

Cicada Market opens Friday through Sunday from 16:00 to 23:00, charges no entry fee, and sits on Soi 83 (Nong Kae) near the Hyatt Regency. This open-air art and creative market is named for the cicadas that drone in the surrounding trees on humid evenings, and about 200 stalls spread across a landscaped compound selling handmade goods: oil paintings on canvas (500 to 5,000 THB / $14 to $140 USD), hand-thrown ceramic bowls (200 to 800 THB), screen-printed t-shirts with Thai folk art designs (350 THB), and leather goods stitched by local artisans. The food zone along the back wall serves Hua Hin's best pad thai wrapped in an egg crepe for 60 THB ($1.70 USD), grilled squid on sticks for 40 THB, and mango sticky rice for 80 THB, all eaten standing or at communal picnic tables strung with fairy lights. A small stage near the center hosts live music most nights, usually a Thai acoustic duo or jazz trio, and the sound carries pleasantly without overwhelming the market buzz. The crowd is a mix of Thai weekenders from Bangkok, expat families, and tourists who found it in a guidebook. Arrive by 17:00 to browse before the food stalls hit peak demand around 19:00, and bring cash because most vendors do not take cards. The market fills up by 20:00 on Saturdays and parking becomes difficult, so take a songthaew (shared pickup truck) from central Hua Hin for 20 THB per person.

What to See & Do

Handcrafted Art and Ceramics

Local artisans showcase pottery, paintings, and sculptures - some surprisingly sophisticated pieces mixed in with more casual crafts

Vintage Clothing and Accessories

Curated vintage finds and retro-style clothing that tends to be more unique than what you'll find at typical tourist markets

Street Food Pavilions

Authentic Thai street food with everything from som tam to grilled seafood - where locals actually eat, which says something

Live Music Performances

Weekend evenings often feature local musicians and bands performing on small stages scattered throughout the market

Handwoven Textiles

Traditional Thai fabrics and modern interpretations of classic weaving techniques - some genuinely beautiful pieces if you're into that sort of thing

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Friday to Sunday, 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM (weekends tend to be busier with more vendors)

Tickets & Pricing

Free admission - you just pay for what you buy

Best Time to Visit

Early evening around 6-7 PM when it's cooler and the atmosphere is most lively

Suggested Duration

2-3 hours if you're browsing leisurely and stopping for food

Getting There

The market sits on Soi 112 off Petchkasem Road, roughly 10 minutes south of central Hua Hin. Most drivers know it. Tell any tuk-tuk or songthaew driver "Cicada Market" and you'll get a nod-they've made this run countless times before. Parking fills fast. Weekend evenings are the worst, so arrive early if you're driving. Some hotels run shuttle services on weekends-ask your front desk.

Things to Do Nearby

Banyan Tree Hua Hin
Upscale resort area with golf courses and spa facilities - quite different vibe from the market

Khao Tao Beach
Quieter stretch of coastline popular with locals, less crowded than central Hua Hin beaches

Wat Khao Tao
Buddhist temple perched on a small hill offering decent views over the coastline

Sam Phan Nam Floating Market
Another weekend market experience, though more touristy than Cicada - worth comparing the two

Tips & Advice

Bring cash - most vendors don't take cards, and the ATM can get busy on weekend evenings

Come hungry - the food here is genuinely good and much cheaper than resort restaurants

Browse first, buy later - prices are generally fair but it's worth seeing what's available before committing

Weekend evenings can get quite crowded, so arrive early if you prefer a more relaxed browsing experience