Loy Krathong and Yi Peng 2026: where to see the lights and how much tickets cost

Every November, Thailand turns into a land of lights for two nights: krathongs float on the water, and paper lanterns rise into the sky.

Many people travel for these shots and end up on the wrong dates, because the festival has no fixed day. In 2026, Loy Krathong and Yi Peng fall on November 24-25, on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (Thailand's lunar calendar), and mass lantern releases in central Chiang Mai are banned, with tickets to venues outside the city selling out months in advance.

Below you'll find the difference between the two festivals, free viewing spots in Chiang Mai, ticket prices, and three tips.

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What Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are

💡 In short:

• At Loy Krathong, people float krathongs on the water; at Yi Peng, they release paper lanterns into the sky.
• 2026 dates: November 24-25, main night November 24 (holiday dates in Thailand).
• Free viewing: Ping River, Nawarat Bridge, Tha Phae Gate, the old city moat.
• Dates and tickets: 09/2026, verified against the festival guide.

Loy Krathong is celebrated across the country, but its roots are in the old capital of Sukhothai. According to legend, the king saw a princess float a small boat on the water, and since then, on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, krathongs have been sent downstream.

A krathong is woven from banana leaves and a banana trunk, topped with flowers, incense, and a candle, with a coin and a lock of hair placed inside. Don't buy foam or bread bases: they pollute the water, and local authorities discourage them.

The word "loy" means "to float," and "krathong" means the leaf raft itself. Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are often treated as synonyms, although they are actually two different festivals.

Along with the krathong, people release the year's worries: the current is believed to carry away misfortune.

Yi Peng grew out of the Lanna tradition in northern Thailand and is associated with Chiang Mai and the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar, but at night it coincides with Loy Krathong.

The name is made up of two words: "Yi" means two, "Peng" means full moon. Paper lanterns rise into the sky, lifted by a burner that heats the air under the dome.

The shot of thousands of lights in the sky is taken at Yi Peng and only at paid venues outside the city, because releases inside Chiang Mai are restricted due to the airport's proximity.

Loy Krathong in Sukhothai

Sukhothai Historical Park is considered the birthplace of the festival, and celebrations here last the longest: in 2026, the candle festival is scheduled for November 15-24 (program, TAGTHAI).

© Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BYPhoto: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Stages are built throughout the old city: dancers, fire eaters, and Muay Thai fighters perform among the ruins, while food and souvenir stalls operate nearby, so you won't go hungry.

In the evening, a free light show with fireworks is turned on, and a separate paid performance about Sukhothai's history is shown on another stage. Earlier coverage notes that elephants were used in it, so the editorial team recommends skipping that ticket.

One evening won't be enough: the park is large, and you'll easily walk several kilometers between stages. Bring comfortable shoes and water.

Yi Peng and Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai hosts both festivals on the same nights, which is why it draws the most tourists. The full program is published in event listings a few days ahead: look for flyers around the city.

© Fumihiko Ueno · CC BYPhoto: Fumihiko Ueno, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Every evening, a parade goes through the eastern part of the old city, with participants performing dances at stops. The finish line changes: one year the parade ended at Pantip Plaza, another time in front of the city hall.

In front of the city hall, a hot air balloon contest is held: huge balloons drift over the crowd and release fireworks.

At Wat Phan Tao, a Buddhist candle ceremony takes place, where young novices meditate among thousands of lights. The catch: this place can no longer be called quiet, because tourist crowds are often disrespectful to the monks, and not everyone is willing to stand in the crush.

The climax takes place at the Ping River: thousands of krathongs are floated on the water here. Only a few individual lanterns are visible in the sky above the river.

You can watch for free at Tha Phae Gate, on Nawarat Bridge, and around the old city moat. A krathong from street vendors costs a few dozen baht, with the price quoted on the spot (Chiang Mai prices and spots), and don't buy foam trays: get a banana-leaf one.

Nawarat Bridge gets crowded in the evening, and open flames burn nearby, so arrive by sunset or choose a quiet stretch along the moat. There you can calmly float your krathong on the water.

Three tips for the festival in Chiang Mai

© Supanut Arunoprayote · CC BYPhoto: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Where to stay

Hotels in Chiang Mai sell out weeks before the festival, so look for accommodation near Night Bazaar and the Tha Phae gate: most events take place there, and the center is closed to cars.

Hotel prices in Chiang Mai on Trip.com are worth checking in advance, because during the festival days there are almost no rooms left.

As an option near Night Bazaar, festival guides mention Kim House Guest House. Check prices and reviews yourself.

© Douglas Perkins · CC BYPhoto: Douglas Perkins, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Money: carry two bank cards so a rejected ATM doesn't ruin your day.

How to launch a lantern

In central Chiang Mai and near the airport, launching sky lanterns is restricted, and violators are fined (lantern launch rules).

At the official venue, a lantern is included with your ticket. Unfold the canopy, light the fuel ring underneath, and hold the lantern until the warm air pulls it upward: release it too early and the lantern will fall. Make a wish before you launch.

If you're flying home on November 24 or 25, check your flight status in advance: Chiang Mai airport cancels and reschedules more than 150 flights during the festival days, and imposes restrictions on evening flights (flight data).

Mae Jo University

Lanterns used to be released en masse at Mae Jo University, and now it's a paid event called Yee Peng Lanna International.

© Chainwit. · CC BYPhoto: Chainwit., CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Tickets for the mass releases start at around five thousand baht for the standard category and go up to fifteen thousand and above for seats closer to the stage, and the exact pricing for the season is announced by the venue organizer (venue and ticket overview).

Tours and tickets on GetYourGuide help you compare venues and dates: cheap categories include shared transport, while expensive ones give you a shuttle and a spot closer to the launch.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng dates

The festivals don't have a fixed date: the day is calculated according to the lunar calendar and confirmed months before the event.

Dates shift by several weeks from year to year, so old schedules won't work. Check the city's program a couple of weeks before your trip.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When will the Festival of Lights take place in Thailand in 2026?

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng fall on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, so the date shifts. In 2026, the festival falls on November 24-25, with the main night on November 24 (festival overview). In Chiang Mai, festivities begin a day earlier, on November 23.

How is Yi Peng different from Loy Krathong?

Loy Krathong is celebrated across the country and is tied to water: krathongs made of banana leaves are floated on rivers and canals. Yi Peng grew out of the Lanna tradition in the north and is tied to Chiang Mai. Here, paper lanterns are released into the sky. In Chiang Mai, both festivals take place on the same nights, so visitors see them together.

Where can you watch the Festival of Lights for free?

In Chiang Mai, free viewing spots include the banks of the Ping River, Nawarat Bridge, near Tha Phae Gate, and around the old city moat. Along the riverfront, there are food stalls and krathong vendors. You only pay for your own krathong and dinner. Near the bridge, the crowd is at its densest in the evening, so allow extra time.

How much do tickets for the mass lantern release cost?

The mass release outside the city is booked in advance. Prices start at around five thousand baht and go up to fifteen thousand or more depending on the seating category, and the exact amounts for the season are published by the venue itself (ticket overview by venue). Cheaper categories include shared transport, while expensive ones offer a private shuttle and seats closer to the stage.

Can you release a lantern yourself in central Chiang Mai?

No. In the city and near the airport, releasing sky lanterns is restricted, and violators are fined (rules). In the center, you float a krathong on the water and watch ceremonies at temples. Lanterns are released only at an official venue outside the city.

In short: what to book

If you want a relaxed evening, the free spots along the Ping River and the old city moat are enough, but if you want the mass release, book tickets on GetYourGuide in advance, because the cheaper categories sell out first. Book accommodation in Chiang Mai on Trip.com several months ahead, otherwise only outlying areas will be left.