The Cicada Market Hua Hin is a major tourist magnet in Hua Hin, Thailand, and there’s good reason for that.
Like most Thailand markets, the Cicada Market Hua Hin is rather unique, at least to me.
If you are used to the chaotic style night markets which are found in abundance across Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia, Thailand’s Cicada Market offer something very distinctly different. It doesn’t focus on cheap items (and most often imitation items), but rather drives the creative side of Thailand’s indie industry.
ATTRACTIONS AT CICADA MARKET HUA HIN
There’s really not much to do in Hua Hin, so when it does come to night activities, the Cicada Market comes right on top of that list of ‘Things to do in Hua Hin’ immediately.
Perhaps some may not agree, but if you do need reasons why you should go to the Cicada Market Hua Hin, I can give you five.
#1: A BASKET OF CREATIVE ARTS
It’s not difficult to figure out that the general theme at the Cicada Market is art. At almost every turn, you’d see things related to art on display. During my visit they had recycled items turned into art which was really impressive.
Aside from the recycle themed display, there were also street performers dotting the place which made the whole Cicada Market Hua Hin pretty lively and unique.
If that’s not your cup of tea, then the market itself is pretty cool with plenty of handmade crafts on sale, including live demonstrations of how these items are created.
When I went, there the live caricature drawings was pretty interesting.
The abundance of custom made handicraft however was simply mind blowing that I wished we had something like this market back home in Kuching.
#2: CLEAN, SPACIOUS, ORGANIZED
Thailand does seem to do night markets really well. This is the same with the Cicada Market Hua Hin.
Generally, the market is divided into four main sections namely the Art A La Mode, Cicada Art Factory, Amphitheater and Cicada Cuisine.
The whole market is pretty organized and sections are obvious. The type of items sold make differentiating each sections easy. If you do get lost, there’s directions pointing you around.
Apart from the spacious and organized market, I found the market to be extremely clean as well.
#3: RELAXING ATMOSPHERE
Unlike some markets like in Vietnam or back home (Malaysia), haggling doesn’t seem to be that prominent at the Cicada Market Hua Hin.
Traders at the market themselves are friendly seemed eager to entertain customers while being polite. We bought a few items at the market and the traders were nothing but helpful and polite.
My little girl got herself a bracelet at THB90 (RM11) and the man selling it was really nice. He not only talked really nicely to my four year old daughter, but also helped her put on the bracelet we bought, as if he was putting it on someone special. Other traders would just bag it.
Another trader also offered my daughter some sweets despite the fact we didn’t even visit her stall. I also noticed the traders at this market weren’t pushy with most just taking each customer as it is.
Personally, the whole experience is just beautiful because it’s just so relaxing.
#4 LIVE SHOWS AT THE CICADA MARKET
As I mentioned above, there were plenty of street artist in the Cicada Market Hua Hin.
These artist came in various performances. However, I can’t really explain what they did due to my lack of knowledge of art and performances. The photos below may help give you an idea.
There was also a stage performance at the amphitheater, but we were eating when the performances started. Another section featured a very talented live band which covered international English favorites, while there was a local Thai band using traditional instruments to also dwell up popular songs.
To sum it up, you won’t get bored if you are at the Cicada Market Hua Hin.
#5 THE FOOD
You can’t go to Thailand and not talk about the food. At the Cicada Market Hua Hin, there’s a huge eatery (food court) with plenty of choices of food to choose from.
I wasn’t fond of the coupon system used, and the prices of food is slightly higher than usual. However, the comfort and good array of dishes available made it worthwhile.
WHERE IS THE CICADA MARKET HUA HIN?
If you are a tourist like me, staying nearby the Cicada Market Hua Hin can be a good decision.
Nearby hotels I would recommend are:
- Baan Duangkaew Resort – about 100m to the market. (Around USD160/night)
- Baan Vanilla Summer Hua Hin – about 200m to the market and had service apartments (Around USD160/night)
- NornDee Hotel – about 200m to the market (Around USD45/night)
- Ibis Hua Hin – a 5 minute walk to the market (Around USD40/night)
- Amari Hua Hin – a 2 minute walk from the market (Around USD90/night)
I stayed at a boutique hotel called The Lapa Hotel Hua Hin because I wanted to be closer to the local mall.
My review of the hotel can be read here, but for the sake of this post, the hotel does provide free shuttle to Cicada Market Hua Hin.
Anyway, the map below shows you exactly where the Cicada Market Hua Hin is located.
WHEN IS THE CICADA MARKET OPEN?
Cicada Market opens from Friday to Sunday, from 4pm to 11pm.
Please note on Sunday, the market closes one hour earlier, at 10pm. With those short hours I guess you can’t technically call Cicada a night market.
WILL I RETURN?
I can’t think of a reason not to return to the Cicada Market.
There’s so many things to see and experience at the market. The art and indie items on sale and display is also worth spending at least 3 hours of the night.
It is one of the best night markets by far that I’ve been to, and I do hope to return back again someday.
VLOG OF THE CICADA MARKET
I made a simple video blog about the Cicada Market, so if you have about 3 minutes, check it out below. You can see more of the market.
I do apologize of the video quality. I was using my Samsung Note9 to record the video and some shots came out really shaky. On top of that, I’m still getting a hang of this vlog thing.
READ OTHER ARTICLES RELATED TO MY TRIP TO THAILAND
- Where I stayed during my trip to Hua Hin
- Shopping at the best malls in Hua Hin
- The Cicada Night Market Hua Hin
- Is Santorini Park worth a visit?
- Must you must visit the Swiss Sheep Farm Hua Hin?
- My experience at the Vana Nava Waterpark Hua Hin
- Hua Hin night market
- The super nice service apartment I stayed in Bangkok
- Checking out malls in Bangkok
- The Venezia Hua Hin