Chiang Mai Lantern Festival 2026: Yi Peng, Loy Krathong, Tickets & Things to Do
If you're planning to visit Chiang Mai in November 2026, try to be here for Yi Peng and Loy Krathong. For a few days, the city takes on an entirely different atmosphere. Streets fill with people, temples are decorated with traditional Lanna lanterns, and crowds gather along the Ping River to float their krathongs. Outside the city, organised lantern festivals offer the unforgettable spectacle of thousands of lanterns floating into the sky together.
The lantern festival brings together two important Thai celebrations known as Yi Peng and Loy Kratong. This year it takes place on 24th- 25th November and is always a magical experience as the city transforms with floating candles, lights, fireworks and floating lanterns.
Whether you've booked tickets for a spectacular mass lantern release or simply want to soak up the atmosphere in Chiang Mai's old city, there's plenty to experience.And with the festivities taking place mainly in the evenings, November is also a fantastic time to enjoy an outdoor adventure in the surrounding mountains, jungles and rivers with 8Adventures.
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong: Two Festivals of Light
Although often referred to as the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are two distinct celebrations with different histories and traditions.
Yi Peng: The Sky Lantern Festival
Yi Peng originates from the ancient Lanna Kingdom, which once ruled northern Thailand, with Chiang Mai as its capital. The name refers to the full moon of the second month in the traditional Lanna lunar calendar.
Yi Peng is closely connected to Buddhist traditions, particularly making merit, reflection and the symbolic release of misfortune. Temples, homes and streets are decorated with colourful paper lanterns, while candles and small oil lamps create a beautiful atmosphere.
The festival is most famous internationally for the release of glowing paper sky lanterns, known as khom fai, which rise gently into the night sky.
Releasing a lantern symbolises letting go of worries and welcoming good fortune and new beginnings. Traditional beliefs also connect the lanterns with offerings to the heavens.
Seeing thousands of lanterns floating into the sky simultaneously is one of Thailand's most spectacular experiences.
Loy Krathong: Thailand's Festival of Lights
Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar.
During the festival, people float small decorated baskets called krathongs on rivers, lakes and canals. Traditionally made from banana leaves, flowers and sections of banana trunks, they often contain a small candle and incense sticks.
Floating a krathong is a way of showing gratitude to the water goddess and asking forgiveness for the pollution or misuse of water. It also represents releasing negative feelings and welcoming a fresh start.
In Chiang Mai, the Ping River becomes the centre of the celebrations, with candlelit krathongs floating downstream as families, friends and couples gather along the riverbanks.
Where to See the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival in 2026
There are two ways to experience the festival: attending a ticketed mass lantern release outside the city or enjoying the free public celebrations throughout Chiang Mai.
Organised Sky Lantern Festivals
Those extraordinary photographs of thousands of lanterns rising into the sky together are usually taken at organised events outside Chiang Mai.
Sky lantern releases are prohibited in central Chiang Mai because of aviation and fire safety restrictions. To experience a large-scale release, you'll need to attend an authorised festival venue.
Two major organised events in 2026 are:
Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival
One of Chiang Mai's best-known lantern festivals, held in Mae On District. The event features traditional Lanna performances, food, Buddhist cultural activities and a spectacular coordinated lantern release.
Dates: 24–25 November 2026.
Tickets: https://www.chiangmaiyipengfestival.com/
CNX Loy Krathong Sky Lantern Festival
Held at Miracle Land in Mae Taeng, this festival combines traditional Lanna culture, food, craft workshops, krathong floating and mass sky lantern releases.
Dates: 24–25 November 2026.
Tickets: https://cnxfestival.com/tickets/
Tickets for popular lantern events often sell out, so book well in advance and check the official organisers' websites for current availability and transport arrangements.
What If the Lantern Festival Tickets Are Sold Out?
Don't worry! Even without a ticket to one of the organised lantern releases, Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to experience Yi Peng and Loy Krathong.
The whole city comes alive with colourful decorations, glowing candles, traditional music, street food and cultural performances.
You may see distant sky lanterns from permitted releases outside the city, although visibility depends on your location. For the spectacular sight of thousands of lanterns rising together, the organised festivals are still the best experience.
But there's plenty of magic to discover in Chiang Mai itself.
Tha Phae Gate and the Old City
Tha Phae Gate is one of the main gathering places during the celebrations, with illuminated decorations, cultural performances and festive crowds.
Wander through the surrounding old city streets, where traditional lanterns hang outside temples, homes and shops.
The streets come alive with music, food vendors and people celebrating together.
Wat Phan Tao and Wat Lok Moli
For a quieter experience, visit some of Chiang Mai's beautiful historic temples.
Wat Phan Tao, famous for its golden teak architecture, provides a beautiful setting for traditional lanterns and candlelit decorations.
Wat Lok Moli, with its ancient brick chedi and Lanna architecture, is another atmospheric place to explore during the festival.
Visit around sunset when the temples begin to glow with lanterns and candles.
Temple programmes vary each year, so check locally for any special ceremonies.
The Ping River and Nawarat Bridge
The banks of the Ping River are among the most popular places to experience Loy Krathong.
Around Nawarat Bridge and the Wat Ket area, crowds gather to float krathongs, enjoy the festive atmosphere and admire the reflections of thousands of lights on the water.
The riverfront can become extremely busy, especially between sunset and the main evening celebrations, so arrive early and allow plenty of time to explore.
Traditional processions and parades are also an important part of Chiang Mai's public celebrations. Check the official city programme for the confirmed routes and times.
Celebrate Responsibly: Help Keep Chiang Mai's Rivers Clean
Loy Krathong is a celebration of gratitude to water, making it especially important to protect the rivers and waterways at the heart of the tradition.
Every year, thousands of krathongs are released across Thailand. Although beautiful, they can create enormous amounts of waste if they contain plastics, polystyrene, metal or other materials that don't break down naturally.
Visitors can help reduce the environmental impact by choosing small, natural krathongs made from banana leaves, banana trunks and flowers.
Avoid plastic decorations, polystyrene bases, metal staples and other materials that can pollute the water or harm aquatic life.
Even bread-based krathongs aren't necessarily a good environmental choice. Large quantities of bread can decompose in the water, reduce oxygen levels and contribute to pollution.
Consider sharing one krathong with your partner, friends or family rather than releasing several. This is a lovely way to celebrate together while reducing waste.
Use designated floating areas where organisers can collect the krathongs afterwards, and never leave packaging or litter along the riverbanks.
The tradition of Loy Krathong is about respecting water. Keeping Chiang Mai's rivers clean is one of the best ways to honour its meaning.
Enjoy a Daytime Adventure with 8Adventures
The lantern festival celebrations are mainly in the evening, but there's plenty to enjoy during the day!
November is one of the best times of year to explore the countryside around Chiang Mai. The rainy season is ending, the forests are lush and green, waterfalls are flowing, and the weather is becoming cooler.
It's a great opportunity to experience another side of Chiang Mai before heading into town for the evening celebrations.
Whitewater Rafting in Chiang Mai
November can offer excellent conditions for whitewater rafting on the Mae Taeng River.
Following the rainy season, the river often still has good water levels, creating exciting rapids and beautiful jungle scenery.
8Adventures offers a thrilling 10 KM rafting experience through the Mae Taeng Valley, with experienced guides, safety equipment and instruction provided. For those that want a less adventurous rafting experience, including families we also have an 8 KM tour
River conditions change with rainfall and water levels, but November is often an excellent time to enjoy rafting before the river drops further during the dry season.
ATV Quad Biking Adventure
Explore Chiang Mai's spectacular countryside on an off-road ATV adventure.
Our guided ATV tours take you through the Mae Taeng Valley, along jungle trails and mountain routes, offering fantastic scenery and an exciting escape from the busy city.
November is a particularly beautiful month for riding, with green mountains, clear views and enough water in local streams to make some muddy trails.
https://8adventures.com/atv-chiang-mai
Jungle Trekking and Waterfalls
For those who prefer exploring on foot, November is also an excellent time for jungle trekking.
The forests are still green after the monsoon rains, and waterfalls and streams are flowing.
Our guided trekking adventures take you through the beautiful natural landscapes around Mae Taeng, offering a chance to experience Chiang Mai's tropical forests away from the crowds.
https://8adventures.com/trekking-chiang-mai/
We also offer combination adventures for visitors who want to experience more than one activity.
https://8adventures.com/combination-adventures/
Spend a day exploring Chiang Mai's wild side with 8Adventures, then return to the city to enjoy the magical evening celebrations.
Tips for Visiting Chiang Mai During the Lantern Festival
The lantern festival is one of Chiang Mai's busiest periods, so a little advance planning makes a big difference.
- Book hotels early. Accommodation in and around the old city fills quickly during the festival. Staying within walking distance of the celebrations can be particularly convenient.
- Reserve lantern festival tickets in advance. Popular mass lantern releases have limited capacity.
- Allow extra travel time. Traffic around the old city and Ping River can be heavy, and some streets may close for parades.
- Arrive early for photographs. Sunset and the early evening are beautiful times to photograph the illuminated temples, moat and river.
- Arrange a meeting point. Crowded festival areas can make it difficult to find friends or family if you become separated.
- Respect local traditions. Dress modestly when visiting temples and follow local guidance during religious ceremonies.
- Celebrate sustainably. Choose natural krathongs, minimise waste and respect restrictions on sky lantern releases.
- Book daytime adventures ahead of time. November is a popular month for rafting, ATV and trekking in Chiang Mai.