Sukhothai, a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) since 2019, has announced the upcoming festival "UNESCO Creative Cities Thailand @ Sukhothai." The event will take place from 30 January to 1 February 2026, in front of Wat Mahathat within the Sukhothai Historical Park. The festival celebrates the city's 700-year legacy as a global center for Crafts and Folk Art.

The festival program will showcase the city's creative identity through various exhibitions and immersive workshops. Travelers are invited to engage directly with local artisans through activities such as Sangkhalok painting at Mothana Ceramic, exploring traditional ceramic works along Sangkhalok Road, and visiting the legendary Suthep Sangkhalok to view museum-quality craftsmanship. Other highlights include viewing unique Ganesha sculptures at Ganesha Sangkhalok and participating in traditional ring enameling at Mai Ngern Mai Thong, located within the historic gold and silversmith community. These exchanges aim to demonstrate how historic craftsmanship serves as a foundation for sustainable cultural tourism.

As part of the UNESCO Creative City experience, five landmarks are highlighted for visitors:

Sawankhalok Street Art: A district where murals by international artists are integrated into historic Thai-Chinese neighborhoods, creating an open-air gallery that reflects the local community.

Amulet Learning Center (Baan Phra Phim): A museum and workshop space where guests can learn about regional spiritual history and practice pressing clay amulets using traditional 700-year-old methods.

Wat Si Sawai: An archaeological site featuring three distinct towers that illustrate the historical transition from early Hindu architectural influences to Buddhist traditions within the ancient city.

Wat Mahathat: The central temple of the ancient kingdom and the primary venue for the festival, distinguished by its lotus-bud pagoda and standing Buddha images.

Wat Traphang Thong: An active temple known for its daily alms-giving ceremony at 6:20 AM, during which monks cross a wooden bridge to receive offerings.

Sukhothai, traditionally considered the first capital of the Thai Kingdom, is home to a vast number of historical sites and the ancient stoneware known as Sangkhalok. This craft includes both glazed and unglazed stoneware decorated with intricate motifs of flora, animals, and geometric patterns. The high level of skill required for Sangkhalok production has been passed down through generations and continues to influence Thailand's contemporary art and craft scene today.