1 / 5Yi Peng is Chiang Mai's festival of lights, held on the full moon of November together with Loy Krathong. For two nights the city fills with candles, paper lanterns hung in temples and along the streets, krathong floats on the Ping River and, where it is allowed, sky lanterns drifting up over the rooftops. In 2026 it falls on 24 to 25 November.
What it is
Yi Peng is a Lanna festival, the northern Thai celebration of the full moon in the second month of the old Lanna calendar. The name means exactly that: "yi" is two and "peng" is full moon. The rest of Thailand counts the same full moon as the 12th month and celebrates Loy Krathong on the same night, so in Chiang Mai the two festivals run together and most people use the names interchangeably.
The two traditions are different. Loy Krathong is about water: people float a krathong, a small raft of banana leaf and flowers with a candle and incense, on the river to thank the water spirits and let go of bad luck. Yi Peng is about light: temples and houses are decorated with lanterns, there are candle-lit ceremonies in the temple grounds, and khom loi, sky lanterns made of rice paper over a bamboo frame, are lit and released to carry misfortune away.
In the Old City the temples hang rows of coloured paper lanterns, Tha Phae Gate is lit up, and there are parades of illuminated floats through the city on the main night. It is the most photographed week of the year in Chiang Mai, and the busiest.
Dates
Yi Peng follows the lunar calendar, so the date moves every year, falling somewhere between late October and late November. In 2026 the main nights are 24 to 25 November, the full moon of the 12th lunar month. Events such as lantern displays and markets often start a few days earlier, and the city is busy for the whole week around the full moon.
The exact schedule of parades, ceremonies and official releases is announced by the city each year, usually only a few weeks before. We confirm the dates on this page each year before publishing, but check the official programme once you arrive. If you are planning a trip around Yi Peng, see the best time to visit Chiang Mai for how the festival fits into the cool season.
Where to watch for free
You do not need a ticket to enjoy Yi Peng. The best of it happens in public, in the Old City and along the river.
- Tha Phae Gate: the east gate of the Old City is the centre of the festival, with lantern displays, stages and the start of the parades. Arrive before sunset for a spot; by 19:00 it is packed.
- Nawarat Bridge: the bridge over the Ping River near the Night Bazaar is the classic place to watch krathongs float past, with sky lanterns overhead where they are allowed. It gets very crowded; hold on to children.
- The Ping River banks: walk along the river between Nawarat Bridge and the bridges to the north and south. There are steps down to the water where you can buy a krathong from a stall and float it yourself.
- Old City temples: temples such as Wat Phan Tao, next to Wat Chedi Luang, light hundreds of candles and lanterns in their grounds. Go quietly and dress for a temple.
Sky lanterns are tightly controlled. Releases are allowed only at certain times and places set by the city, and banned near the airport because of the flight path. Some years the rules change at short notice. Follow local instructions, never release a lantern from a hotel balcony or near buildings, and expect evening flights to and from Chiang Mai to be rescheduled during the festival.
Ticketed mass releases
The famous photographs of thousands of lanterns rising at once come from organised mass releases. These are separate, ticketed events held outside the city centre, usually on the edge of town, with seating, a ceremony, food and a single moment when everyone releases their lantern together.
Tickets are expensive compared with anything else in Chiang Mai and sell out months ahead. Before you buy, check that the event is licensed and that the organiser names the venue and date clearly; each year there are reports of fake tickets and cancelled events. Transport is usually included from the city. If you are on a budget, the free festival in town is the better night out, with far more to see than a single release.
Tips
- Book rooms two months out. Yi Peng is the busiest week of the year. Rooms in the Old City and near the river go first and prices rise sharply.
- Consider Mae Hia. Hotels in Mae Hia stay bookable longer, are cheaper, and are about 25 minutes from the river by Grab. It is also quiet at night when you want to sleep.
- Plan your ride home. Roads around the Old City close for the parades and Grab prices surge. Agree a pickup point a short walk from the crowds, or keep a hired driver for the evening.
- Check your flight. Flights are often rescheduled during lantern hours. Confirm your times with the airline the week before.
- Spend the day elsewhere. The festival is at night. Spend the day at Royal Park Rajapruek in Mae Hia, where the gardens are filling with cool-season flowers ahead of the December to February winter show, or at Wat Phra That Doi Kham above it, then head into town in the late afternoon.
- Be respectful. Krathongs made of bread or banana leaf are better for the river than foam. Do not climb on temple structures for photos.
If you are visiting for a few days around the festival, the 3-day itinerary works well: put the Old City day on the main night of Yi Peng.
FAQ
When is Yi Peng in 2026?
On 24 to 25 November 2026, the full moon of the 12th lunar month, together with Loy Krathong.
Where is the best place to watch Yi Peng for free?
Tha Phae Gate, Nawarat Bridge and the banks of the Ping River. Arrive before sunset.
Can you release sky lanterns in Chiang Mai?
Only at the times and places the city allows. Releases are banned near the airport and rules can change each year.
Are Yi Peng mass release tickets worth it?
For the photograph, perhaps. They are expensive and sell out early; the free festival in town has more to see.
Where should I stay for Yi Peng?
Near the river or in the Old City if you book early; Mae Hia if you book late, 25 minutes from the river.
