Last updated on November 30th, 2019 at 06:27 pm

The Cicada Market – A Place You’ll Enjoy Even When You Hate Shopping…

But that’s just me. I’m a big grump when it comes to shopping. However I do love taking a stroll through any of Thailand’s famous night markets like Bangkok’s Talad Liab Duan. And certainly around Hua Hin’s Cicada Market. Which technically isn’t a night market. But who am I to disagree.

Now there really isn’t that much to do in Hua Hin (in my most humble opinion). So checking out Cicada Market at night is most likely on your to do list. It’s a highly recommended must visit in Hua Hin by travelers on tripadvisor.com.

My wife and I always make it our mission to visit Cicada Market every time we stay several nights in Hua Hin. Because it truly is a lovely market to stroll around even when you don’t plan on buying anything.

The best thing I enjoy about Cicada Market is eating all the street food I can get my grubby hands on.

When the weather is cool in Hua Hin, Cicada Market is a pleasure to walk around at night…

Cicada Market’s Location and Hours

This popular Thai night market by the sea is just south of Hua Hin’s city center. About 4.11 kilometers from the city’s equally famous Hua Hin Night Market.

There are many budget, mid and high end hotels in Hua Hin. I’ve stayed in many of them. If you’ve never visited Hua Hin before and this is will be your first visit, be sure to book a hotel near Hua Hin’s beach because it’s a lot more affordable then you’d think.

Here are some hotels I reviewed near Cicada Market:

1. The Escape Hotel  (3 stars)- This hotel offers guests complimentary scheduled shuttle service to the market.
2. Ibis Hua Hin (2 stars and pet friendly) – 5 minute walk to Cicada Market.
3. Amari Hua Hin (4 stars)- 2 minute walk to Cicada Market.

Cicada Market’s operating days/hours are from Friday to Sunday, from 4pm to 11pm (cicadamarket.com).

Please note on Sunday the market closes 1 hour earlier at 10pm. Hua Hin Night Market closes at 1am.

The fact that they’re not open past midnight to me hardly qualifies it as a night market. Because it’s not. Everyone has been calling Cicada Market a night market.

Even Cicada Market organizers don’t refer to themselves as a night market.

Though I have to admit, the market looks beautiful at night with all the cool incandescent lights placed through out the market. It’s a real shame they can’t stay open longer.

There is also a small amphitheater where plays and even stand up comics can be enjoyed. I haven’t purchased a ticket to catch a show inside so I can’t provide too much information on that.

Cicada Night Market in Hua Hin is a must to visit while you’re in the area. It is open Friday thru Sunday from 4pm to 11pm…

What to Buy in Cicada Market

You’re going to see a common theme while strolling around. And that theme is art. Cicada Market is the kind of place where local Thai artists gather. Whether they be amateurs or professionals they come to showcase and perhaps make a bit of cash selling their art creations.

All kinds of modern art paintings are sold from contemporary to modern. Art lovers will certainly appreciate Cicada Market even more.

In the center of Cicada Market are a few small buildings that double as art exhibitions showcasing local art talent.

I came across this artists creating glass-blown art at Cicada Market…

You’ll also find handmade arts and crafts. Many are run by young enterprising Thai entrepreneurs. Need a bedazzled iPhone case? You’ll find it there. T-Shirts with unique graphic designs? You bet, you’ll see it there.

Amongst the arts and crafts is a family I came across making glass-blown figurines of animals. They can create a lot of animals with glass like giraffes, elephants, tigers and even all types of fish, right on site.

This guy is a master craftsman of glass figurines. His son is learning the art too…

And you can watch the process from start to finish. And it involves a blow torch. In my opinion nothing else is more entertaining then watching a guy wielding a blow torch to work at night. The glass figurines they create are also very affordable and a wonderful souvenir to take home.

Cicada Market is a haven for Thai artists in Hua Hin…

A caricature souvenir of yourself. Check. Many artists are available to paint a caricature of you starting at 300THB, depending on the size of the portrait. That’s a reasonable price. Plus you’ll be helping to feed a starving artist. Speaking about food…

The Food at the Cicada Market

When is it never about food?

Any self respecting market anywhere in the world has got to have an area where people can sit back and enjoy a meal.

I know there are people not keen on eating Thai food because they’re worried about consuming spicy foods. And we all know children are fickle eaters when they don’t recognize a food.

Cicada Market has a smorgasbord of international food selection. Don’t be surprised if you see Italian pizzas and pasta stalls selling next to a stall with American BBQ pork ribs and steaks. Even sushi is available. Halal food is also well represented.

There is a food court with an impressive array of Thai food to recognizable Western foods…

Cicada Market has quite a vast assortment of offerings. And because you’re in Hua Hin seafood is the specialty.

But I would skip the seafood inside Cicada Market because even though I know it’s fresh it’ll be more expensive. I know of a really good seafood restaurant right across from Cicada Market that I highly recommend. I’ll write a post on that restaurant really soon.

But if you find the seafood prices reasonable for your budget then go ahead and enjoy your seafood feast. Giant grilled prawns are available and sold by the kilo. A cook grills the prawns over a bed of hot coals while you wait and enjoy a nice frosty beer.

Lots of grab and go food are sold. But there is a big area with tables and chairs to sit down and enjoy your meals…

I haven’t really tried all the food in Cicada Market because I already have a couple of favorites nearby. But it’s a good place to grab desserts as there is a decent variety.

During peak hours, about 7pm to 9pm Cicada Market’s food seating area is filled to capacity so finding a seat could be difficult.

But with a bit of patience and perseverance you’ll eventually get a table. Plus standing over a seated table while glaring at the current occupants that have finished eating usually helps.

Western style food is hugely popular in Hua Hin and most certainly at Cicada Market…

The Atmosphere

Cicada Market is a fun place to just chill out. The atmosphere is non rushed and less crowded as other major bazaars and markets in Thailand, for example Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok.

And because the beach is nearby you get this nice ocean breeze during the evening.

This kid is quite amazing with what he can do with empty bottles of beer…

In a way it’s one of the biggest attractions in Hua Hin. Which is why many hotels in Hua Hin with shuttle services offer rides to Cicada Market. And spending an evening wandering around there is a perfect way to end a night in Hua Hin.

Like I always say, Cicada Market has a great chilled vibe. It’s a great place for locals to hang out too. Even for local folks in Hua Hin there’s not much to do except coming to these places.

Many festivals take place on the grounds particularly during seasonal holidays like Songkran Thai New Years and especially Western New Years Eve for the big countdown.

Don’t Forget to Check Out Tamarind Market Too – It’s Right Next to Cicada Night

Tamarind Market opened right next to Cicada Market. It’s a totally separate and new to the “night” market scene in Hua Hin. It’s so called because of the location of the market is surrounded by tamarind trees.

However, because both are super close together I think most would think it’s Cicada Market the same. One big difference though is that there’s more local Thai food sold inside Tamarind Market.

Tamarind Market also opens a day extra and an hour earlier: Thursday – Sunday 5pm to 11pm

Cicada and Tamarind Market are both easily the best areas to spend 2 or 3 hours in Hua Hin.

Tamarind Night Market offers Hua Hin visitors more food variety and plenty of seating to eat…