Every November, two light festivals take place simultaneously in Thailand, but they are quite different. During the Yi Peng festival, thousands of paper lanterns are released into the sky above Chiang Mai. In contrast, during the Loy Krathong festival, lotus-shaped baskets are floated on rivers and canals throughout the country.
In 2026, they overlap: Yi Peng takes place on November 24th and 25th in Chiang Mai, and the full moon night of Loy Krathong is November 25th.
If you only have one night, the question arises: do you want to look up or down? Sky lanterns are only found in Chiang Mai and practically nowhere else. Floating krathongs can be seen everywhere, even in Bangkok.
This page is built around this choice – which event you would like to attend – and then gives you the dates, the locations and a clear answer as to what is free and what is not.
Yi Peng vs. Loy Krathong: Which one should you choose?
The two festivals also have different origins.
Yi Peng is a Lanna tradition from northern Thailand and is associated with the second month of the Lanna lunar calendar. Releasing a Khom Loi traditionally symbolizes shaking off misfortune.
Loy Krathong is associated with the worship of Phra Mae Khongkha, the goddess of water, and the request for forgiveness for the way people have used and polluted the water.
Both festivals feature lanterns, but the experience is quite different. Yi Peng revolves around the moment when hundreds or thousands of lanterns are released simultaneously. Loy Krathong, on the other hand, is more expansive, as people craft their own krathongs and release them along rivers and waterways.
If I had to choose, I would pick Yi Peng. But if you're in Chiang Mai during the festival season, you can experience both on the same trip, so I wouldn't consider it an either-or decision.
If you have to make a decision, I would proceed as follows:
Only three days in Bangkok → Loy Krathong. Yi Peng does not take place there in any significant form.
They want the image everyone knows – thousands of lanterns taking off in a single movement → Yi Peng in Chiang Mai – and a ticket to one of the organized performances.
Traveling with children → Loy Krathong is the easier choice. The Krathong crafting workshops take place throughout the afternoon, no one has to stay up late, and you can leave when you've had enough. Yi Peng's mass festival, on the other hand, lasts until late at night, involves fire, and attracts large crowds.
Photographer → Yi Peng for the lantern release; Loy Krathong for the variety of subjects. The coordinated Yi Peng festival offers a short but spectacular event, while Loy Krathong allows for hours of capturing small moments by the water.
Tight budget → Loy Krathong costs almost nothing. The parades and lantern processions of Yi Peng in the city are free, but those who want to release their own lantern must attend an event outside the city and pay an entrance fee.
Here is a brief comparison of Yi Peng and Loy Krathong:
Further information: Guide to the Yi Peng Festival, Guide to the Loy Krathong Festival.
When does the Lantern Festival take place in Thailand? Dates 2026–2028
Timing:
Both festivals usually take place in November, during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month in Thailand. The exact dates vary annually depending on the lunar calendar. Here are some past and upcoming dates for reference:
The dates for 2026 have been confirmed by CAD, the official ticket seller. The dates for 2027 and 2028 are forecasts based on the lunar calendar. The Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes the official program shortly before each event. Please check before booking your flight.
Where you can see it: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Phuket
Chiang Mai is the only city where both festivals take place simultaneously – the only place where you can release a sky lantern and float a krathong on the same evening. The sky lanterns are released outside the city limits of Chiang Mai. The krathongs are set adrift in the Ping River within the city limits of Chiang Mai.
You will see Loy Krathong in Bangkok, Sukhothai, or Phuket. You will not see Yi Peng there.
Bangkok – the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Largest crowds, easiest to include in a city trip, least atmospheric of the four locations.
Sukhothai – a place people describe as beautiful rather than bustling. Krathongs float on the ponds surrounding the ancient ruins, and the festivities extend over several days, traditionally beginning a few days before Chiang Mai.
Phuket – the beach version. Krathongs are released into the sea instead of a river.
Chiang Mai – both festivals, the old city which is illuminated for two nights, and the paid mass events that produce the photos.
If you are traveling specifically for Yi Peng, plan your trip around Chiang Mai and celebrate Loy Krathong on the same evening.
Is it free? Free vs. paid lantern festivals
The honest answer differs for the two festivals, and most travel guides remain silent on this point.
Loy Krathong is free. You can buy a Krathong for a few Baht or make one yourself in a workshop and then float it on the water. No entrance fee or permit is required.
Yi Peng is not the right place for this. Releasing sky lanterns within the city limits of Chiang Mai is illegal – a provision of aviation and fire safety regulations. Authorized launches take place at approved locations outside the city, and these locations require a fee.
Anyone can simply walk in. However, this does not include releasing their own lantern.
Included in the price is the organized lantern release at an approved location outside the city – transfers, dinner, the cultural program, and the countdown where thousands of lanterns are released simultaneously. Packages for 2026 in Canada start at approximately US$150.
View the CAD ticket categories and availability.
How to experience both festivals in one trip
There are two ways to do this, and the choice depends mainly on how many days you have available.
Option 1 – First Sukhothai, then Chiang Mai (7 days or longer)
In Sukhothai, the Loy Krathong celebrations begin about a week before the official date. This is the more traditional version of the festival: krathong-making workshops, local performances, candlelit processions, and krathongs floating on the ponds surrounding the ancient ruins. The festivities are relaxed, varied, and significantly less crowded than in Chiang Mai.
Plan two to three days for Sukhothai and then continue north to Yi Peng. This is the route we plan most often – it allows you to experience Loy Krathong in the most authentic way and still reach Chiang Mai in time for the sky lanterns.
Option 2 – both in Chiang Mai (2–3 days)
The two festivals overlap in Chiang Mai, so one city can cover both.
Good to know: At the Yi Peng Festival venues that require tickets, you can make krathongs on-site and float them on the water. If you attend one of these events, you can make and float your own krathong as part of the evening's program – so you don't have to choose between the two festivals.
Tips for experiencing the Thai Lantern Festival
After learning more about Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, here are some tips on how to make the most of your experience at the Thai Lantern Festival.
Our private tours include everything you need for an unforgettable experience:
Discover our tours to the Thailand Lantern Festival 2026 and secure your spot today!
Frequently asked questions about the lantern festivals in Thailand
Q: What is the difference between Yi Peng and Loy Krathong? A: In Yi Peng, sky lanterns are released into the sky; this festival takes place in Chiang Mai. Loy Krathong, on the other hand, involves floating baskets on the water and is celebrated throughout Thailand. Both festivals take place in November on the same nights, so you can participate in both in Chiang Mai.
Q: When will the Thai Lantern Festival take place in 2026? A: Yi Peng will take place on November 24th and 25th, 2026 in Chiang Mai. Loy Krathong will be celebrated nationwide on the full moon night of November 25th, 2026.
Q: Where does the Lantern Festival take place in Thailand? A: Loy Krathong is celebrated nationwide – in Bangkok, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and most cities with water. Yi Peng takes place only in Chiang Mai.
Q: Is the Thai Lantern Festival free? A: Loy Krathong is free almost everywhere. The parades, lantern performances, and temple ceremonies of Yi Peng in the Old City and at Tha Phae Gate can be attended free of charge. However, legally releasing a sky lantern requires an authorized location outside the city and costs between US$150 and US$450.
Q: Can I visit both festivals in one trip? A: Yes, in two ways. In Chiang Mai, the two festivals overlap—Yi Peng takes place on November 24 and 25, 2026, and Loy Krathong on November 25 (full moon night)—so you can experience both in one evening. At Yi Peng, you can also participate in paid events where you can make krathongs and witness their release. Alternatively, you can start your trip in Sukhothai, where the Loy Krathong festivities begin about a week earlier, and then travel north to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng.
Q: Is the Lantern Festival suitable for children? A: Loy Krathong, yes – the workshops take place in the afternoon and you can leave at any time. Yi Peng's mass start lasts until late at night and is very crowded, so it's more suitable for older children.
Q: When should I book tickets for Yi Peng? A: Tickets for private lantern ascents sell out months in advance, so book as early as possible.
Q: What happens when it rains? A: Loy Krathong takes place – rain doesn't stop people from floating krathongs on the water. Sky lanterns are more affected; wet lanterns don't rise, and the ascents are delayed or shortened. Most November evenings in Chiang Mai are clear.
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