Yi Peng Chiang Mai Lantern Festival: Where to Go and How to Plan

Every November, thousands of paper lanterns rise into the night sky above Chiang Mai in one of the most photographed moments in Southeast Asia. The Yi Peng lantern festival, also known as Yee Peng, is a centuries-old Lanna Buddhist tradition celebrated only in northern Thailand, and Chiang Mai is the best place to experience both Yi Peng sky lanterns and Loy Krathong’s candlelit floating baskets at the same time.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Chiang Mai lantern festival, from where to see the lantern releases and what the free celebrations look like, to practical tips for planning your trip. If you've been thinking about a trip to northern Thailand, this is the event that makes November the time to go.

• When: The festival falls on the full moon of the second Lanna lunar month, usually in November.
• Where: Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Free events within the Old City and ticketed mass releases at licensed venues outside the city.
• Cost: Free for temple ceremonies, moat walks, and river celebrations. Ticketed mass lantern releases start from around 4,900 THB (~$150 USD).
• Best for: Couples, photographers, cultural travellers, and anyone with this on their bucket list.
• Weather: Northern Thailand in November is cool and dry, with temperatures between 18°C and 30°C.
• Good to know: Chiang Mai accommodation and tickets sell out months in advance, so book early.

During the Yi Peng lantern festival, thousands gathered to light and release khom loi (paper lanterns stretched over a bamboo frame), watching them rise into the dark. The act is an offering of light to the Buddha and, for many, a symbolic way of letting go of worries, regrets, or bad luck, and starting the year ahead with a clean slate.

Yi Peng falls on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna lunar calendar, which typically lands in November. The exact dates shift each year, sometimes by as much as three weeks. The main celebrations take place over two nights, with the most significant events on the evening of the full moon.

November marks the end of Thailand's rainy season and the start of the cool season, when skies are clear and conditions are ideal for lantern releases. It's also when Loy Krathong, the nationwide Thai water lantern festival, takes place, which is why Chiang Mai in November hosts both celebrations at once.

Yi Peng festival date projections:

• 2026: 24 - 25 November
• 2027: 13 – 14 November
• 2028: 1 – 2 November
• 2029: 20 – 21 November

These dates are based on lunar calendar projections and may shift by a day. Official dates are typically confirmed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand earlier in the year.

The two festivals are often confused because they happen on the same dates, but they come from different traditions. Yi Peng looks to the sky; Loy Krathong looks to the river.

• Yi Peng is specific to northern Thailand, and the focus is on releasing khom loi (paper sky lanterns) upward.
• Loy Krathong is celebrated across all of Thailand and centres on floating krathongs (lotus-shaped floats made from banana leaves, decorated with flowers, candles, and incense) on water.

Since 2015, mass sky lantern releases have been banned within Chiang Mai city due to aviation safety restrictions near the airport. The iconic images of thousands of lanterns rising at once come from licensed, ticketed events held at venues outside the city. But the free celebrations within the Old City are just as atmospheric.

The largest organised event is the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival, held at the CAD Cultural Centre Lanna in Mae On District, about 40 minutes east of the city. It accommodates around 22,000 guests across two nights, and tickets typically sell out two to three months before the festival. Check tickets through the official website.

Smaller events such as Gassan Panorama and Heritage Sky Lanterns offer a more intimate experience with lower capacity. These can suit travellers who prefer a quieter crowd.

You don't need a ticket to experience Yi Peng. Chiang Mai's Old City fills with light, food, and ceremony across both festival nights.

Wat Phan Tao is one of the most atmospheric spots, with hundreds of candles and paper lanterns lining the temple grounds while monks chant and candlelight reflect in the pond. Arrive before sunset to find a good position.

Tha Phae Gate is the centre of the city's public celebrations, with street performances, food stalls, and parades. The area also hosts the Yi Peng lantern contest, where teams compete to build the most elaborate decorative lanterns, and the grand krathong parade, a procession of floats, traditional dancers, and musicians that moves through the Old City streets.

Nawarat Bridge and the Iron Bridge (Khua Lek) are two of the best free spots to watch the festival. Arrive around 7pm or 8pm to see krathongs floating on the water and lanterns drifting above.

You can buy a krathong for as little as 20 THB and float it alongside thousands of others. If you're buying one near Nawarat Bridge, look for the school group on the southwest corner, they make krathongs each evening to raise money for local projects. Choose one made from banana stalk or bread rather than styrofoam, as these are biodegradable and better for the river.

The moat surrounding the Old City is another quiet spot worth walking in the evening. You'll see phang pratheep, small clay pots filled with oil and lit with a flame, lining the temple walls, moats, and riverbanks throughout the festival.

A few practical details that are worth sorting before you go.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai fills quickly for Yi Peng weekend, and prices can double or triple compared to the rest of the month. Aim to book your hotel at least two to three months ahead. If you're attending a ticketed lantern release, buy your tickets as early as possible, as the most popular events sell out by September.

Yi Peng is a Buddhist festival, and modest dress is expected at temple events.

• Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
• White clothing is traditional and symbolises purity, and many Thai attendees wear white.
• Comfortable shoes.
• Light layers. November evening temperatures can drop to around 18°C.

Songthaews (red shared trucks) and ride-hailing apps like Grab are the easiest ways to get around Chiang Mai, though surge pricing can be high on festival nights.

Travel tip: Traffic near the riverside gets heavily congested, especially around Nawarat Bridge. If you’re planning to celebrate near the Ping River, consider renting a scooter, or simply walking once you're within the Old City walls.

Cash is preferred at street food stalls, krathong vendors, and many smaller shops. Carry small denominations in Thai Baht. ATMs are widely available throughout the city.

Where you stay in Chiang Mai can make your festival experience easier, especially if you want to walk to the main celebrations.

The riverside area near Chang Klan Road puts you close to the Ping River krathong releases and Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar, with the Old City's free celebrations within walking distance. Mövenpick Suriwongse Chiang Mai is on Chang Klan Road, around 800 metres from the Old City, so you can walk to both the river and the temple ceremonies without needing transport.

If you prefer a more modern neighbourhood with cafés, restaurants, and a younger atmosphere, the Nimmanhaemin area is about 10 minutes by songthaew from the Old City. Novotel Chiang Mai Nimman Journeyhub is in the heart of Nimman, close to MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, and ibis Styles Chiang Mai is a short walk from Chiang Mai University with easy access to the same area.

For a central location near the Old City's northern edge, Mercure Chiang Mai is on Changpuak Road, 10 minutes from the airport and within walking distance of the Sunday Walking Street Market.

Yi Peng is one of those travel experiences that lives up to the images, and with clear skies and cool evenings, November is worth extending into a longer Chiang Mai trip.

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