Can you imagine how spectacular it would be to see thousands of lanterns slowly rising in the night sky? At the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai, you can see such an impressive scene. The Yi Peng Lantern Festival in 2025 will happen from November 5th to 6th. On these two days, people get together to release lanterns and make wishes. Do you want to enjoy this festival with the locals? Come to Thailand! The following is about Yi Peng Lantern Festival, including the date and places of celebration, Yi Peng Lantern Festival history, and celebration activities.
What is Yi Peng Lantern Festival?
Yi Peng Lantern Festival (Yee Peng Festival), also known as Sky Lantern Festival, is a famous traditional Lantern Festival in Thailand. Yi Peng Lantern Festival is celebrated in the north of Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. This Thailand Festival is also popular with couples. Young couples release the sky lanterns together and wish for sweet and eternal love with their beloved ones.
When is Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2025 & 2026?
Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2025 takes place on the 5th and 6th of November. And Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026 is celebrated on the 24th and 25th of November.
The date of the Yi Peng Festival appears on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar. It usually takes place in November in the Gregorian calendar, but the specific date of the Yi Peng Lantern Festival is not fixed each year.
What's the Difference between Yi Peng Festival and Loy Krathong Festival?
Yi Peng Festival and Loy Krathong Festival are both Lantern Festivals in Thailand with similar dates. Thai people release lanterns and pray on these two Thai Lantern Festivals, but they release the lanterns in different ways.
Yi Peng Festival
Based on the Lanna calendar (used in Northern Thailand), Yi Peng Festival is mainly celebrated in Northern Thailand.
People fly lanterns into the sky during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival.
Loy Krathong Festival
Based on the Thailand lunar calendar, the Loy Krathong Festival is a nationwide Thailand Lantern Festival. Loy Krathong Festival, also called Water Lantern Festival or Floating Lantern Festival, falls on the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai Lunar calendar.
In the evening of Thai Floating Lantern Festival, lotus-shaped lanterns with a lighted candle are released in the rivers. The lanterns are made of banana leaves with candle and flower decorations.
Why is Yi Peng Lantern Festival Celebrated
Ancient Roots in Lan Na Kingdom
Sky Lantern Festival is thought to have originated from the Lanna Kingdom, which has a history of about 800 years. Lanna Kingdom is an ancient kingdom in northern Thailand, whose culture is deeply influenced by Buddhism. At that time, people in Northern Thailand honored the Buddha by releasing lanterns into the sky.
The Legend of Nang Kwak Hong
Nang Kwak Hong is worshiped as the Goddess of Wealth in Thailand. According to folklore, Nang Kwak was the daughter of an Indian small businessman, called Nang Supawadee. Supawadee heard Buddhism teachings devoutly, which brought enormous wealth to her and her family later.
She is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Merchants often pray to Nang Kwak and offer flowers, food, and incense to gain her protection. Thai people believe that worshiping Nang Kwak can attract customers and help their businesses thrive. In Thailand, you can see the images of Nang Kwak at many shops, markets and even at home.
"Nang Kwak" means "Beckoning Lady" in Thai language. Nang Kwak is usually depicted as an elegant woman in traditional Thai dress. She raises her right hand and makes a beckoning gesture while holding a bag of gold in her left hand.
Symbolism of Sky Lanterns
Sky Lanterns symbolize hope, good luck, and new beginnings.
When you fly lanterns into the sky, it means letting go of misfortune and troubles. And people also write their hopes on the sky lanterns and make wishes for good luck, prosperity and more.
Sky Lantern Festival Thailand is a time for Buddhists to show their respect and gratitude to the Buddha.
Where is Yi Peng Lantern Festival Celebrated?
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and the center of Lanna culture. You can experience the grandest celebration of Thailand Sky Lantern Festival here. In Chiang Mai, you can also celebrate Sky Lantern Festival and Loy Krathong Festival at the same time. If you are looking for a place to attend a large-scale Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival activity, you can consider the following sites.
1. The Three Kings Monument
The Three Kings Monument is one of the busiest spots for Yi Peng Festival's celebration activities, which displays hundreds of lanterns and holds parades and ceremonies. An opening ceremony is held at the Three Kings Monument. During the Sky Lantern Festival Chiang Mai, various colored lanterns are hung here, decorated with hundreds of candles. You can also watch traditional dance performances and music played by traditional instruments, and beauty pageants.
2. Tha Phae Gate
Tha Phae Gate is also a great place to experience Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival with an official opening ceremony. The grand procession of floats starts from the square in front of Tha Phae Gate and ends at Nawarat Bridge. At night, you can enjoy the amazing scene of thousands of sky lanterns.
3. Nawarat Bridge and Iron Bridge
Nawarat Bridge and the Iron Bridge (Khua Lek) along the Ping River are good sites for releasing sky lanterns. You can launch krathong lanterns by the Ping River while admiring flying lanterns on the night sky. There are also bars and specialty food markets near the bridges.
4. Mae Jo University
Mae Jo University is about 30 minutes away from the Chiang Mai downtown. The private grand lantern release event requires an entrance fee of at least $100. You will know that it is worth it when you listen to the monks chanting, participate in the traditional Lanna ceremony and lantern release.
How to Celebrate Yi Peng Festival: Traditions and Activities
Releasing Sky Lanterns
The most iconic highlight of Sky Lantern Festival Chiang Mai is flying lanterns in Thailand. People gather in temples, parks and along rivers to light sky lanterns (Khom Loi). The sky lanterns are made of bamboo frames and thin rice paper. Thousands of Lanna lanterns are released into the night sky which form a dreamlike scene. At the same time, people silently pray for good luck and happiness.
Temple Visits, Parades, and Cultural
Performances Local people visit the temples. They make merit and listen to the prayers of the monks as parts of religious activities. Temples in Chiang Mai are decorated with colorful decorations during Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival, with lanterns hanging all over the temples. You can visit beautifully decorated local temples like Wat Phan Tao, Wat Lok Moli, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chedi Luang.
There are large parades during the festival. Tourists can appreciate participants dressed in traditional Lanna clothing and gorgeous floats. It is also a good chance to explore charming Thai culture when you watch traditional dance and music performances.
Floating Lanterns on Water (Loy Krathong)
Although Yi Peng Festival and Loy Krathong Festival are two different festivals, many places in northern Thailand celebrate the two together because of overlapping time. So you can also float lanterns on the water.
Fireworks and Light Shows
Beyond the lanterns, the fascinating fireworks displays continue adorning the sky in northern Thailand. Impressive fireworks and light shows create a lively atmosphere.
Eating Traditional Foods
During Sky Lantern Festival, street vendors and local restaurants are bustling. You can savor northern Thai food at the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. We suggest several must-try dishes: khao tom moo (rice and pork soup), kanom jeen (rice noodles), Khao Soi (coconut curry noodle soup), and som tam (Thai green papaya salad).
Yi Peng Lantern Festival Tickets and Tips
How to Get Tickets for Chiang Mai's Official Event
You can buy tickets for Chiangmai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival directly from the official website or through an authorized travel agent. Contact HFT, and we are a reliable third-party agency who can help you buy Yi Peng Lantern Festival tickets. Remember to purchase Sky Lantern Festival event tickets early because they are popular.
Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
Dress code: Dress respectfully, such as clothes that cover your knees and shoulders, especially near temples. You can also try Lanna Thai clothing. Bring a light jacket to keep you warm at night.
Photography advice: Arrive early to get a good spot and make yourself familiar with the surroundings. Use a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the views of the sky with the lanterns. Shoot it before the lanterns fly away, otherwise the sky will go dark.
Crowds: It will be very many people at night during the Lantern Festival in Thailand. Notice if your surroundings are too crowded. Besides, please take care of your valuables.
Safety: Releasing sky lanterns may cause a fire. Be sure to fly sky lanterns in officially designated areas. Stay away from lanterns that might fall.
Comply with the timing of lantern release: Confirm which day you are allowed to release the sky lanterns. Don't fly the lanterns before and after the Yi Peng Festival because it may disturb the flight route.
What to bring: You can prepare a pen to write down your wishes and blessings on the sky lantern before releasing it. Bring a lighter.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival FAQs
1. Is Yi Peng Festival the same as Loy Krathong Festival?
No, these are two different festivals that overlap in time. Yi Peng Festival is celebrated for two or three days, with releasing sky lanterns. Loy Krathong Floating Lantern Festival follows and releases lanterns on the water.
2. Can Tourists Participate in Yi Peng?
Yes. Yi Peng Lantern Festival attracts a mass of tourists every year. You can participate in free and paid celebration events.
3. What is Yi Peng in Thai?
Yi Peng or Yi Peng tradition (ประเพณียี่เป็ง) is an ancient Lanna tradition. People will release sky lanterns (khom loi) into the sky in the evening. Yi Peng happens on the full moon in the second month according to the Lanna calendar. Yi means "two" and peng means "full moon day".
4. Is Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival safe?
This is not absolutely safe. In fact, it may bring some danger. You can't predict where the lantern will eventually fall. If the sky lanterns fall on trees, houses, etc., it may cause a fire. A grand festival always attracts many people. Too many people may cause a stampede. You should pay more attention to the fire hazard and the crowd if you plan a Thailand tour for the Sky Lantern Festival.
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