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Yi Peng & Loi Krathong
📍 Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai
On the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, Chiang Mai releases thousands of glowing paper lanterns into the night sky while rivers fill with candle-lit floats — Thailand's most luminous festival, doubled.
Once a year, on the full moon of the twelfth month in the Thai lunar calendar, Chiang Mai glows. Loi Krathong sends candle-lit floats drifting down the rivers and canals, while the northern Yi Peng tradition fills the sky with thousands of rising paper lanterns (khom loi).
Why It’s Interesting
Together the two festivals turn the whole city into light — water below, lanterns above. People release a krathong to carry away the past year’s misfortunes and make a wish; the sky lanterns do the same overhead. The Old City moat, Tha Phae Gate, and the Ping River become the beating heart of it all, alongside parades, fireworks, and street food.
Best Time to Visit
The festival follows the November full moon, so dates move each year — confirm before booking. It falls squarely in the pleasant cool season.
Getting There
It’s centred on Chiang Mai’s Old City and Ping River — walkable, and best explored on foot since roads close to traffic.
🐿️ Cinnamon was here
Field report
On the twelfth full moon, Chiang Mai holds both of Thailand's lantern festivals at once: Yi Peng sends thousands of glowing paper lanterns up into the night, while Loi Krathong sets the rivers alight with candle-and-flower floats — the sky rising, the water drifting, one city between them saying goodbye to the year's misfortunes.
I released a krathong (leaf boat, one candle, one acorn aboard as cargo and apology) and watched it join the flotilla. Then the lanterns started lifting from the old city — first dozens, then a sky-full, like the stars had been recalled for maintenance and were reporting in.
The mass releases at paid events photograph famously, but the bridges and river banks are free and holy enough. Mind the falling lantern wires, book rooms months out, and let the moon run the schedule. The year's best exhale.
— Cinnamon 🐿️
📸 Cinnamon's camera roll
Snapshots from our very good boy on the road.
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Where it is
Nearby discoveries
Khantoke Dinner (Lanna Banquet)
Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls
Tham Lod Cave
Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple)
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