Loy Krathong or Loi Krathong (ลอยกระทง), known as Thailand's Festival of Lights or Lantern Festival, is one of Thailand's biggest festivals. In 2026, it takes place on November 25th.

The Loy Krathong Festival is an annual traditional Siamese festival celebrated by Thais to pay respect to the Water Goddess and Buddha.

It is not a public holiday, but is celebrated nationwide by people gathering at lakes, rivers and canals to release floating lanterns or krathongs onto the waterways.

Learn everything you need to know about the Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand, including this year's date, the reasons for the celebrations, and how to celebrate it.

When will the Loy Krathong festival be celebrated in 2026?

The Loy Krathong festival is celebrated on the evening of the twelfth full moon in the Thai lunar calendar. According to the Western calendar, this usually falls in November. Therefore, the date of Loy Krathong is not fixed and varies annually depending on the full moon.

In 2026, it will take place on the evening of November 25th.

Here you can find the expected festival dates for the coming years, so you can plan your trip in advance.

What does "Loy Krathong" mean?

The word “Loy (ลอย)” means “float”.

"Krathong" translates to "basket or boat".

The meaning of "Loy Krathong" is therefore "to let a basket float".

As the name suggests, on the evening of the festival, Thais gather at rivers, lakes, and canals to set baskets of water adrift. This custom symbolizes letting go of negative emotions and showing respect to the water spirits.

What is a krathong?

A krathong is a small, decorative float, primarily made of banana leaves, traditionally resembling a lotus flower or a small boat. It is typically adorned with flowers, candles, incense, and sometimes coins or small offerings.

The floating krathongs carry the hopes, wishes and gratitude of the people as they travel along rivers, lakes or canals during the festival.

Where does Loy Krathong come from?

Loy Krathong originated about 800 years ago in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai.

The festival combines Hindu and Buddhist customs and is celebrated to pay respect to the water goddess (called Pra Mae Khongkha) and thank her for her annual abundance of water, to ask her forgiveness for the pollution of the waters, and to pay respect to the Buddha.

Nowadays, it also serves to get rid of the negativity accumulated in the past year and to welcome good fortune in the coming year.

It is believed that the festival's roots are linked to Nang Noppamas, a revered concubine of the King of Sukhothai. Nang Noppamas designed a lotus-shaped float decorated with miniature bird figurines, which served as the inspiration for the Krathong. This legend also led to the tradition of beauty pageants, in which participants dress up as Nang Noppamas.

How is Loy Krathong celebrated in Thailand?

Loy Krathong is a colorful and important festival celebrated in Thailand. This is how the festival is typically celebrated:

1. Krathong making: Traditionally, Thais begin the festival by making their krathongs at home with friends and family, although many also buy them in local shops.

2. Floating Krathongs: At dusk, people gather at bodies of water with their decorated krathongs. They light candles and incense before gently lowering the krathongs into the water. This symbolizes letting go of negativity and honoring the water spirits. According to Thai folklore, a krathong that burns until it is out of sight brings good luck for the coming year.

3. Cultural performances and beauty pageant: During Loy Krathong, visitors can enjoy folklore performances, lantern parades, fireworks, and classical Thai music concerts. A beauty pageant often takes place as well, where women wear traditional Thai clothing.

4. Lantern Release: In some regions of Thailand, such as Chiang Mai, it is a tradition to release floating lanterns, called "Khom Loi," into the sky. These lanterns symbolize letting go of worries and striving for a better future.

5. Food and Entertainment: Loy Krathong is also an occasion for feasting. People often enjoy delicious street food, including local specialties and traditional Thai dishes.

Where is the best place to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival?

Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand and in neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

Of all the Loy Krathong celebrations in Thailand, the festivities are particularly grand in some cities. The best places to experience the Loy Krathong festival are Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Bangkok, and Phuket.

1. Chiang Mai: Two festivals in one

Chiang Mai is the second largest city in northern Thailand and the ideal place to experience the Loy Krathong festival. Alongside the Loy Krathong celebrations, the magnificent Yi Peng Festival (Thai Sky Lantern Festival) also takes place here on the same day.

In 2026, Loy Krathong and Yee Peng will take place on November 24th and 25th.

With the floating lanterns of Loy Krathong on the river and the flying lanterns of Yi Peng illuminating the night sky, Chiang Mai transforms into a breathtaking, fairytale paradise. Experiencing these two festivals is a unique and unmissable event.

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2. Sukhothai: the birthplace of Loy Krathong

Sukhothai is the birthplace of the Loy Krathong festival and one of the best places to experience this joyous celebration. The festival in Sukhothai lasts five days. Most events take place in the Sukhothai Historical Park.

Besides the floating lanterns, in Sukhothai you can also experience a beauty contest, parades, folk music performances and the magnificent Sukhothai light and sound show.

3. Bangkok: Events on the banks of the Chao Phraya River

If you only have time to visit Bangkok during the festival, don't worry too much about not being able to travel to Chiang Mai or Sukhothai. Bangkok also celebrates Loy Krathong in its own unique way with its own customs.

During the festival, numerous events take place along the banks of the Chao Phraya River. A river cruise is a romantic way to enjoy the festival.

The Asiatique shopping mall is an ideal place to experience the Loy Krathong celebrations in Bangkok. It features numerous bars and festively decorated stalls that bathe the street and riverbanks in a special light.

You can also visit the famous temples Wat Arun, Wat Saket, Wat Pariwat or Wat Yannawa to release krathongs into the Chao Phraya River.

4. Phuket: Combine Loy Krathong with beach relaxation

Phuket is an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience the beauty of Loy Krathong without the usual festival crowds. Loy Krathong is much more relaxed in Phuket, and most hotels and resorts offer workshops on making your own krathong and assist with its release at sea.

The festival is celebrated along all waterways and beaches, including Patong Beach and Nai Harn Beach. For a more authentic experience, visit Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Saphan Hin Park, or Suan Luang Park in Phuket Town. These are the places where most Thais gather to release their krathongs into the water and celebrate.

What is the difference between the Loy Krathong festival and the Yi Peng festival?

The Yi Peng Festival and Loy Krathong are both celebrated in Thailand, especially in the northern region, but they are different festivals with different customs and meanings.

The Yi Peng Lantern Festival (or Yee Peng):

  • Yi Peng is celebrated predominantly in the northern region of Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai.
  • A characteristic feature of this festival is the release of sky lanterns (Khom Loy) into the night sky. These lanterns symbolize good fortune, prosperity, and liberation from worries and negative energy.
  • Yi Peng is deeply rooted in Lanna culture and its traditions, dating back to the ancient Lanna kingdom.
  • The festival has strong Buddhist connections; the releasing of lanterns serves to honor Lord Buddha and to strive for enlightenment.

    • Loy Krathong Festival:

  • Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand at about the same time of year as Yi Peng, with major festivities in various regions, including Bangkok and Sukhothai.
  • The highlight of Loy Krathong is the floating of Krathongs, small lotus-shaped vessels made of banana leaves, flowers and other natural materials, on rivers, canals and lakes.
  • Krathongs are set adrift on the water as offerings to the water goddess Mae Khongkha to express gratitude, ask for forgiveness, and symbolically release negative emotions.
  • Although Loy Krathong also has Buddhist roots, it incorporates animistic beliefs and customs related to the worship of water.

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