For two nights in November, the sky above Chiang Mai is ablaze with a sea of ​​lanterns. This is Yi Peng – the northern Thai tradition of releasing Khom Loi, floating sky lanterns, into the darkness. It coincides with the same full moon as Loy Krathong, Thailand's water festival, and the two festivals run concurrently.

This page explains what Yi Peng is, the confirmed dates for 2026, what to expect in 2027 and 2028, where you can attend for free, what a ticket release actually entails, and whether it's worth the money.

  • Where you can go without a ticket
  • Where can one release a lantern?

    • What is Yi Peng?

    Yi Peng (also spelled Yee Peng) is a Lanna tradition from northern Thailand. The name refers to the full moon day of the twelfth month in the Lanna lunar calendar. Releasing a lantern is traditionally an offering and serves to release misfortune from the past year.

    These three types of lanterns are often mentioned together, but they are not identical:

  • Khom Loi. The floating sky lantern consists of rice paper, a bamboo ring, and a fuel cell. Restrictions apply to this type of lantern in Chiang Mai.
  • Khom fai. Paper lanterns hang along the streets, gates, and on the temple grounds. They serve mainly as decoration and can be viewed free of charge.
  • Phang Prathip. Small clay oil lamps that are lit in temples and around homes.

    • Yi Peng is a northern Thai tradition particularly associated with Chiang Mai. Loy Krathong, while celebrated throughout Thailand at the same full moon, has distinct origins and traditions. Because the two festivals overlap in Chiang Mai, they are often considered a single event.

    When is Yi Peng? Dates: 2026, 2027 and 2028

    The date is determined by the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. Therefore, it changes every year. Yi Peng lasts two nights in Chiang Mai and ends on the night of the full moon. Loy Krathong is celebrated nationwide on the same full moon night.

    The ticketed performances take place over two nights; the city's decorations and temple ceremonies usually begin a few days earlier.

    The dates for 2026 and 2027 have been confirmed by CAD. The 2028 date is a forecast based on the lunar calendar – the Tourism Authority of Thailand only publishes the official program shortly before the event. Please check with them before booking your flight.

    The mass releases will take place at authorized locations approximately 30 km outside of Chiang Mai. Within the city, visitors can admire the decorations, ceremonies, and lantern displays; this part is free of charge.

  • Wat Phan Tao. A teakwood hall, a reflecting pond, hundreds of Khom Fai flags above it, and monks singing in the evenings.
  • Wat Chedi Luang. Right next to Wat Phan Tao. Thousands of lanterns in front of a 15th-century brick stupa.
  • Wat Phra Singh and Wat Lok Molee. Candle ceremonies and chants, generally quieter than the first two.
  • Tha Phae Gate Plaza. The public stage with parade, processions and opening ceremony.
  • Three Kings Monument. Candle dance and cultural performances.
  • Nawarat Bridge. It spans the Ping River, where on Loy Krathong night, Krathongs are released and lanterns float above people's heads.

    • Most temple decorations are put up several days before the main festivals, so arriving early in Chiang Mai offers the opportunity to see them before the biggest crowds arrive.

    (The following photos are from our stay in the old city of Chiang Mai during the Yi Peng Festival 2025.)

    Is Yi Peng worth it?

    Yes, for me. I've been there four times already and would go again anytime.

    A few thousand people count down together before releasing their lanterns into the night sky. Within seconds, hundreds of glowing lanterns rise up around you, stretching into the distance like a galaxy. Nearby, people dance, hug, kiss, or simply stand still and watch. It still moves me every single time.

    Many people describe travel experiences as "once in a lifetime". I rarely use this phrase, but Yi Peng is one of the few cases where I would.

    The crucial factor in deciding whether a visit is worthwhile is the choice of venue. What I described above refers to Canadian dollars. Not every venue offers an evening like this, and the differences are greater than the price difference would suggest. If someone is disappointed by Yi Peng, it's often due to the venue.

    At CAD, a ticket grants access to the main event: the countdown and the simultaneous appearance of thousands of lanterns. The rest of the evening is filled with Lanna dancing and music on the main stage, a northern Thai dinner, and numerous stalls offering lanterns, handicrafts, and food.

    There are plenty of activities for children, including krathong making and painting. Massage stands are also available on site, which are very welcome after a long day.

    The venue also handles transfers and cleaning. Based on 2026 CAD prices, costs range from $150 to $500 USD, depending on the category.

    See what each CAD level includes and what the current availability is.

    There are three main types of venues, all located outside the city:

  • The Chiang Mai Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival (CAD) is the largest and best-organized festival, featuring synchronized film screenings, cultural performances, transfers, and dinners. As the largest ticket provider for the CAD, we have our own ticket allocation and can therefore check availability based on current figures, rather than relying on estimates from resellers.
  • Mae Jo University. The most traditional, with a stronger Buddhist orientation and a greater focus on the religious aspect of the festival. It's also the most expensive of the three. (My experience: I was quite disappointed with the food – it was very basic. Given the ticket price (higher than the other two), I honestly didn't think it was worth it.)
  • Smaller temples and resorts. Smaller gatherings with significantly fewer participants, for those who wish to release a lantern without the scale of a mass event.

    • They are located outside the city because they must be. Sky lanterns are prohibited in Chiang Mai due to aviation and fire safety regulations. Violators are punishable by fines of up to 200,000 baht and up to five years in prison. Free public mass launches were discontinued years ago, and launches in the city center have been banned since 2020. Therefore, the advice to release a sky lantern at Tha Phae Gate, which can still be found in some older blog posts, is outdated.

    The ticket includes the cost of an approved start at an authorized location as well as the event itself.

    Those staying overnight in the city can participate in workshops on pottery making clay lamps, an opening ceremony with a candle dance at the Three Kings Monument, lantern parades at Tha Phae Gate Square, and a grand parade through the Old City on the main evening. The program for 2026 will be announced shortly before the festival and published here as soon as it is available.

    How long does it last?

  • The mass performances with tickets. Two nights (November 24th and 25th, 2026), each lasting several hours including transfers.
  • The countdown itself. Minutes. That's what people misunderstand: You pay for an evening, and the streetlights only come on for a brief moment towards the end.
  • The city's celebrations last several days. Decorations are put up early, temple ceremonies take place throughout the week, and parades and processions are held on the main evenings.

    • If you have two nights, I would split them: the ticket sale on November 24th and the festivities in the city on November 25th.

    Loy Krathong takes place on the second evening of the Yi Peng festival, November 25th. The main event is centered around the Ping River and the Nawarat Bridge, where the parade is held and thousands of krathongs float on the water. While some Yi Peng venues offer the opportunity to make your own krathongs, this is a completely different experience than witnessing Loy Krathong on the river.

    Travel tips for the Yi Peng Festival

  • Book early – hotels and flights fill up quickly during the festival week.
  • Stay near the old town or on the riverbank to easily reach the Loy Krathong events.
  • Respect local customs – dress modestly when visiting temples and avoid releasing lanterns in restricted areas.
  • Arrive early for events and parades – roads are often closed and there can be heavy traffic.

    • Frequently asked questions about Yi Peng

    Q: What is the Yi Peng Festival in Thailand? It is a northern Thai (Lanna) tradition where floating sky lanterns, called Khom Loi, are released on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. The festival is centered in Chiang Mai and takes place at the same time as Loy Krathong.

    Q: When is Yi Peng 2026? November 24–25, 2026 in Chiang Mai. The full moon night of Loy Krathong is November 25.

    Q: Where does the Yi Peng Lantern Festival take place? In and around Chiang Mai. The paid mass performances take place at authorized locations about 30 km outside the city. Within the city, you can attend parades, temple decorations, and ceremonies for free.

    Q: Can tourists participate in Yi Peng? A: Yes. The festivities in the city are open to everyone and free of charge. To release a sky lantern, you will need an entry ticket for an authorized venue outside the city. Releasing a sky lantern within Chiang Mai is prohibited.

    Q: How much does Yi Peng cost? The city festivities are free. Mass market tickets, available via CAD, will cost between US$150 and US$500 starting in 2026, depending on the category, and include transportation, dinner, and the cultural program.

    Q: Is there a dress code for Yi Peng? A: No, Yi Peng itself doesn't have one. The only rule is that shoulders and knees must be covered when entering a temple. Some guidebooks recommend white or cream, but this is more for better visibility in photos than for etiquette: light colors reflect the lantern light at night. Flat shoes and an extra layer of clothing for the evening are recommended, as you will be spending hours outdoors.

    Are you planning to join Yi Peng in 2026?

    Since 2018, we have been helping travelers experience Yi Peng – from organizing tickets for the CAD lantern release to planning private trips throughout Thailand.

    We can organize your Yi Peng evening, including:

  • Premium tickets for a large sky lantern launch
  • Private transfers from Chiang Mai
  • Krathong making and Lanna cultural activities
  • Traditional Thai clothing and make-up

    • Looking for tickets? Get your official tickets for the Yi Peng Festival here.

    Are you planning a longer trip? We can customize your Thailand tour and include Yi Peng, Chiang Mai and the other places you would like to experience.