Chiang Mai: Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2026 with Krathong & Lanna Dinner

On the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month, northern Thailand celebrates two festivals at once. Loy Krathong, observed across the country, is the night people float small decorated baskets called krathong on rivers and ponds. In the old Lanna kingdom around Chiang Mai the same full moon is Yi Peng, the "second full moon" of the Lanna calendar, when homes and temples are hung with paper lanterns and khom loi sky lanterns drift upward. In 2026 the full moon falls on Tuesday 24 November, and the main ticketed lantern ceremonies are scheduled for the evenings of 24 and 25 November.

The famous image of a sky full of lanterns comes from organised events, not from the city streets. For flight safety and fire prevention, Chiang Mai province bans unlicensed releases across a no-release zone that in 2025 covered all of Mueang Chiang Mai and Hang Dong districts, parts of four neighbouring districts and the airspace around the airport. Releases were allowed only at approved sites and set hours, and breaking the rules can mean a fine of up to 200,000 baht, up to five years in prison, or both. The 2026 order had not been published when this listing was written, but similar rules are expected, which is why this tour takes you to a licensed, ticketed ceremony in the countryside.

We meet at Tha Phae Gate in the early afternoon, when the old city is already decorated with hanging Lanna lanterns, and travel by air-conditioned minivan to the venue, about an hour away in a rural district outside the restricted zone. On arrival there is time to explore the lantern displays, watch northern Thai music and dance, and float your own krathong on the venue's pond or water garden. A Lanna-style buffet dinner with soft drinks follows in the early evening.

After dark, everyone gathers for the ceremony. Monks lead chanting and a candle-lighting ritual, then guests light their lanterns together and, at the signal, release them at the same moment, filling the sky with slow-rising points of light. Each guest receives two sky lanterns made of biodegradable materials, as the 2025 rules required.

Festival traffic is heavy, so we usually arrive back at Tha Phae Gate at around 22:00. From there it is a short walk to the Ping River, where locals float krathong near Nawarat Bridge late into the night, and to old-city temples such as Wat Phan Tao, which are lit with candles and lanterns during the festival.

Tickets are issued for one specific night (24 or 25 November 2026) and in the guest's name; organisers do not allow date or name changes. Bring photo ID matching your booking, as some venues check it at registration.

The ceremony includes Buddhist chanting, so dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered. Light long sleeves and trousers also help against mosquitoes; evenings in late November are usually pleasant, often around 18–20 °C.

Follow staff instructions when lighting lanterns: wait until the lantern is fully inflated before letting go, and keep hair, scarves and loose clothing away from the flame. Do not take lanterns back to the city to release them, as unlicensed releases are illegal and heavily fined.

Rain or strong wind can delay or cancel the release for safety; the rest of the programme usually goes ahead. If the organiser cancels the event entirely, you receive a full refund.

Return times depend on festival traffic and may be later than 22:00. Avoid booking early-morning flights for the next day; in previous years Chiang Mai airport has also adjusted flight schedules around the main release nights.