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Religious · Chiang Mai, Thailand

Loi Krathong + Yi Peng (Thai Lantern Festival)

“Thailand's most beautiful festival — floating lanterns on water + thousands of sky lanterns”

Loi Krathong is Thailand's festival of light — floating banana-leaf krathongs on rivers with candles. Chiang Mai adds Yi Peng: thousands of sky lanterns released simultaneously — the sky fills with paper lanterns. Full moon of the 12th lunar month. Book Chiang Mai 4-6 months ahead.

Upcoming dates

Next
2026
November 24-26 (full period)
Following year
2027
November 13-15

Full moon of the 12th month in Thai lunar calendar. October-November (Gregorian). Chiang Mai Yi Peng 2-3 days around Loi Krathong.

Duration
3 nights (peak on full moon night)
Crowd
Chiang Mai overwhelmed
Budget/day
$80-200 mid-range (2-3× normal Chiang Mai)
Book ahead
4+ months

Booking + planning tips

Best for: Photographers + culture travellers + couples
  • ✓Book Chiang Mai hotels 4-6 months ahead — everything sells out
  • ✓Best mass lantern release: Yi Peng events at Mae Jo University (paid ticketed, book 3-6 months ahead ~$100-200) OR CAD Doi Saket free event
  • ✓Free lantern release along Ping River in Chiang Mai Old Town
  • ✓Krathong (floating lantern) available in markets ~50 THB
  • ✓Sky lanterns are banned from restricted areas near CNX airport during festival — check safe zones
  • ✓Alternative: Sukhothai (Loi Krathong origin), Bangkok (Chao Phraya river) — smaller but authentic

Book hotels for Loi Krathong + Yi Peng (Thai Lantern Festival) 2026

Prices spike + hotels sell out during this event. Book 4+ months ahead.

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Frequently asked

When is Yi Peng 2027?
November 13-15, 2027 (Chiang Mai). Peak lantern release November 14 (full moon night). Dates change each year with Thai lunar calendar.
Where is the biggest lantern release?
Mae Jo University Yi Peng Sansai event — paid ticketed (~$100-200), book 3-6 months ahead, 10,000+ lanterns released simultaneously. Free alternatives at CAD Doi Saket + along Ping River.
What is the difference between Loi Krathong + Yi Peng?
Loi Krathong is nationwide Thai festival of floating water lanterns (krathongs). Yi Peng is Northern Thai (Lanna) tradition of sky lanterns — mainly Chiang Mai. Both happen same nights.
How do I get lantern release tickets?
Mae Jo University Yi Peng (Sansai event) sells on official website. Book 3-6 months ahead. Sold out quickly in November. Free alternatives available.
Is sky lantern release safe?
CNX Airport bans lanterns during scheduled release windows. Follow local rules. Some areas have designated safe launch zones. Fires + burns are risks.