Yi Peng & Loy Krathong
Full moon over Chiang Mai — candle boats on the Ping, and sky lanterns outside the city.
- Dates
- 23–25 Nov 2026
- Where
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Hosted by
- Chiang Mai
- Capacity
- City-wide
About
Thailand’s festival of light. On the full moon, 24 November, candlelit krathongs go onto the Ping River and the old city fills with processions. Mass sky-lantern releases happen the same nights at licensed sites outside the city — releases inside Chiang Mai itself are not allowed.
Why now
The full moon is Tuesday 24 November. Ticketed lantern fields (CAD Khomloy, Mae On, Doi Saket) sell out of the best viewing spots.
Programme
- 23 Nov — The city prepares: Markets, temples and the first processions.
- 24 Nov — Full moon: Krathongs on the Ping, and lantern releases outside the city.
- 25 Nov — Second release: Another ticketed sky-lantern night at the licensed fields.
Included
- River ceremony in the city
- Temple processions
- Ticketed lantern releases outside town
Stay
Old-city guesthouses and riverside hotels. Book before the full moon.
Getting there
Fly into Chiang Mai (CNX). The river ceremony is at the old city; lantern fields are a short drive north or east.