Yi Peng Lantern Festival Guide: Everything You Need for Chiang Mai
This Yi Peng lantern festival guide exists because I made mistakes the first time. I showed up without tickets, without a plan and without knowing the rules. I still had one of the most emotional nights of my life. But I could have avoided some stress. This guide covers the 2026 dates, ticketed events and free viewing spots. Plus where to stay during the festival. Yi Peng Chiang Mai is unlike anything else in Thailand. If you time your visit right, it will stay with you forever.
Quick Info
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Yi Peng 2026 | 24-25 November (sky lanterns) |
| Loy Krathong 2026 | 25 November, full moon (water lanterns) |
| CAD Khomloy tickets | 4,900-15,900 THB, sells out months ahead |
| Getting there | Fly or sleeper train from Bangkok. Book here |
| eSIM | Grab a prepaid eSIM here |
| Important | Releasing lanterns in the city center is ILLEGAL |
Yi Peng vs Loy Krathong
Most visitors confuse these two festivals. They happen at the same time but they are different celebrations. Understanding the difference is the first step in this Yi Peng lantern festival guide.
Yi Peng is the Lanna festival of sky lanterns. Paper lanterns called Khom Loi are released into the air. The tradition belongs to northern Thailand. It falls on the full moon of the second month in the Lanna calendar. In 2026 the dates are November 24 and 25.
Loy Krathong is a nationwide Thai festival. Small floating baskets called Krathong are placed on water. Each one carries a candle, incense and flowers. The tradition symbolizes letting go of negativity and making wishes. Loy Krathong 2026 falls on November 25, the night of the full moon.
In Chiang Mai both festivals overlap. You get sky lanterns and water lanterns on the same night. This is why Yi Peng Chiang Mai draws visitors from all over the world. Nowhere else combines both celebrations so beautifully.
The CAD Khomloy Experience
The most famous way to experience Yi Peng is at an organized mass release event. CAD Khomloy is the largest and most well known. Thousands of people gather in a field outside the city. Everyone receives a lantern. A countdown begins. Then thousands of lights rise into the sky at once.
CAD Khomloy tickets range from 4,900 to 15,900 THB depending on seating and package. The higher tiers include dinner, traditional performances and premium viewing positions. Every ticket includes a lantern to release.
This is the only legal way to release a sky lantern near Chiang Mai. Releasing lanterns anywhere in the city center is strictly illegal. Police enforce this with fines and potential criminal charges. The law exists because stray lanterns cause fires and endanger aircraft. Do not buy lanterns from street vendors thinking you can release them. You cannot.
I went to the CAD Khomloy event during my first Yi Peng. Thousands of people releasing lanterns into the sky at the same time. The countdown started and everyone lit up together. Within seconds the sky was filled with orange lights. It is genuinely hard to describe this moment. Watching thousands of lanterns rise at once is indescribable. It feels like the most beautiful thing in the world. The tickets are not cheap but you cannot put a price on this experience. They sell out months in advance so book early. One more thing. If you go, wear something white. You will understand what I mean when you get there.
Book your CAD Khomloy tickets as early as possible. Popular categories sell out three to four months before the festival. Check the official CAD website for release dates and pricing tiers. Do not buy from unauthorized resellers.
Free Viewing Spots
You do not need a ticket to experience Yi Peng Chiang Mai. The free celebrations across the city are equally magical. They are different from the mass release but they carry their own beauty. The atmosphere is local, intimate and deeply moving.
Nawarat Bridge
Nawarat Bridge and nearby Iron Bridge are the heart of Loy Krathong Chiang Mai. This is where locals come to release their Krathong into the Ping River. Vendors sell biodegradable Krathong for 20 to 30 THB along the riverbank. You buy one, make a wish and place it on the water. Then watch it float away with hundreds of others.
The next evening I walked to Nawarat Bridge. I bought a biodegradable Krathong for 20 THB and placed it on the river. Hundreds of small lights were floating on the water. Families, children and monks surrounded me. It did not feel like a tourist trap at all. A completely different feeling from the night before but equally powerful. My cousin is coming with me this year. The first place I want to show her is this bridge. The ticketed event is spectacular. But placing a Krathong on the river with the locals has its own kind of magic.
Arrive before sunset to find a good spot on the bridge. The crowds build after dark but the atmosphere stays warm and welcoming. This is a community celebration. You are not watching it. You are part of it.
Tha Phae Gate
Tha Phae Gate transforms during the festival. Traditional Lanna dance performances fill the square. Lantern competitions draw crowds. Local artists display their work. Food stalls line the surrounding streets. The energy here is festive and celebratory. It is the best spot for people-watching during Yi Peng.
The gate itself is illuminated with Lanna-style lanterns. The entire Old City entrance becomes a stage. Performances run from early evening until late at night. Arrive early to find a seat near the front.
Old City Temples
The temples inside the Old City take on a completely different character during Yi Peng. Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Lok Moli are all decorated with Lanna lanterns. Hundreds of candles line the walkways. Monks chant evening prayers as visitors move quietly between the flickering lights.
This is the most spiritual side of the festival. No tickets, no crowds pushing for photos. Just candlelight, chanting and silence. If you visit only one temple during the festival, make it Wat Lok Moli. It hosts one of the most beautiful lantern displays in the entire city.
Where to Stay During the Festival
Hotels fill up fast during Yi Peng. Booking two to three months ahead is essential. Location matters more than usual because traffic becomes unpredictable during festival nights. Walking distance to the action saves you stress.
137 Pillars House sits near Wat Ket along the Ping River. It is walking distance to the main Loy Krathong areas. Colonial luxury meets Lanna tradition. (9+)
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort is right on the riverbank. Guests can release their Krathong directly from the hotel garden. No crowds, no pushing, just you and the river. (9+)
InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping puts you five minutes on foot from the Night Bazaar and Nawarat Bridge. The rooftop bar offers views of the lanterns rising over the city. (9+)
For the full neighborhood breakdown, read my where to stay in Chiang Mai guide.
Practical Tips
Book CAD Khomloy tickets months ahead. Popular tiers sell out three to four months before the festival. Do not wait.
Do not release lanterns in the city. It is illegal. Fines and criminal charges apply. Only release at permitted ticketed events.
Wear white to CAD Khomloy. Trust me on this one. You will understand when you arrive.
Buy a biodegradable Krathong. Plastic versions harm the river. The eco-friendly ones cost the same. Look for banana leaf and bread-based options at 20 to 30 THB.
Book your hotel early. Festival dates sell out fast. Two to three months ahead is minimum for riverside properties.
Get an eSIM before you arrive. The festival crowds slow down mobile networks. Having data on a local carrier helps. Grab a prepaid travel eSIM here.
Book your Bangkok transfer early too. Flights and trains fill up during festival week. Check all routes here. For the full transport guide, read my Bangkok to Chiang Mai breakdown.
Build the festival into a longer trip. Three days in the city plus festival nights is ideal. My Chiang Mai 3 day itinerary gives you the perfect base plan.
Need a cafe between festival events? My instagrammable cafes guide covers the most photogenic spots.
Fuel up before the festival nights. Street food is everywhere but the best spots sell out early. Check my Chiang Mai food guide for hours and addresses.
FAQ
When is Yi Peng 2026 ? November 24 and 25, 2026 Loy Krathong falls on November 25, the full moon night. Both festivals overlap in Chiang Mai.
Can I release a lantern anywhere in Chiang Mai? No. Releasing sky lanterns in the city center is illegal. You can only do it at permitted events like CAD Khomloy. Street vendors sell lanterns but releasing them carries fines.
How much are CAD Khomloy tickets? Between 4,900 and 15,900 THB depending on the package. Higher tiers include dinner and premium seating. All tickets include a lantern.
Do I need to book a hotel in advance? Yes. Festival week is the busiest time of year in Chiang Mai. Riverside hotels sell out months ahead. Book two to three months before.
Is Yi Peng worth the trip? Without question. Whether you attend the mass release or walk the bridges and temples, the atmosphere is unique. It is the most emotional festival I have ever experienced.
What should I wear? Comfortable walking shoes and light layers for the evening. For CAD Khomloy, wear white. For temple visits, cover your shoulders and knees as always.
Can I experience the festival for free? Absolutely. Nawarat Bridge, Tha Phae Gate and the Old City temples are all free. A Krathong costs 20 to 30 THB. You do not need a ticket to have an unforgettable night.
