Short answer: The lantern festival in Thailand is really two festivals that share one full moon. Loy Krathong, celebrated nationwide, is when people float small decorated baskets called krathong on rivers and ponds. Yi Peng is the northern Lanna festival of lights, best known in Chiang Mai for paper sky lanterns and hanging lanterns. In 2026 Loy Krathong falls on Tuesday 24 November, and Chiang Mai holds its Yi Peng festival from 23 to 25 November. Sky lanterns may only be released on 24 and 25 November, from 19:00, in permitted places. In 2025 the old city was a no-release zone; expect the same in 2026.
This guide explains how the two festivals differ, where to see each one, what the 2026 lantern rules mean for visitors, how ticketed sky lantern events work, and how to behave so that you are a welcome guest and not a hazard. It is written for couples, families, friends and solo travellers, including Nepali travellers and the Nepali diaspora who often ask whether the festival can be combined with the Tihar break. It does not quote ticket or package prices, which change by organiser, zone and date.
If you are still deciding how Chiang Mai fits into a wider trip, our Thailand travel guide covers seasons, money and customs across the country, and our list of things to do in Chiang Mai fills the days around the festival nights.
| Thailand lantern festivals at a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Loy Krathong 2026 | Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month |
| Yi Peng, Chiang Mai 2026 | Festival programme 23 to 25 November 2026, led by Chiang Mai Municipality |
| Sky lantern nights in Chiang Mai | 24 and 25 November 2026 only, from 19:00 to 01:00, in permitted places |
| Grand krathong parade, Chiang Mai | 25 November 2026 (exact start time announced locally) |
| Sukhothai festival | 15 to 24 November 2026 at Sukhothai Historical Park |
| What you float | A krathong: a small raft of banana trunk and leaves with a candle, incense and flowers |
| What you release | A khom loi: a paper sky lantern lifted by a small flame, only where permitted |
| Old city of Chiang Mai | A no-release zone in 2025 (the 2026 zone list was not yet published by district); no sky lanterns without a permit |
| From Kathmandu | No direct flight to Chiang Mai; fly to Bangkok, then a domestic flight, train or bus north |
| Time difference | Thailand (UTC+7) is 1 hour 15 minutes ahead of Nepal |
| Currency | Thai baht (THB); rates against NPR change daily |
Checked: 28 Oct 2026. Sources: Chiang Mai Provincial Public Relations Office (7 Oct 2026), Chiang Mai News (23 Sep and 20 Oct 2026), OfficeMate Thai calendar article on Loy Krathong 2569, Thailand.go.th event listing for Sukhothai.
What are Yi Peng and Loy Krathong?
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are two separate Thai festivals of light that fall on the same full moon in November. Loy Krathong is a national festival about water: people float krathong on rivers, canals, lakes and ponds. Yi Peng is a regional Lanna festival about light rising upward: sky lanterns, hanging lanterns and small clay oil lamps. In Chiang Mai the two run together as one multi-day celebration, which is why most travellers simply call it "the lantern festival".
Loy Krathong: floating your worries away
The name tells you what happens. "Loi" means to float, and a "krathong" is a small vessel traditionally made from a slice of banana trunk, wrapped and folded with banana leaves, then decorated with flowers, three incense sticks and a candle. On the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, people light the candle and incense, make a wish, and set the krathong on the water.
The meaning is gentle and personal. Many Thais describe it as letting go of anger, bad luck and the mistakes of the past year, and as a way to thank and apologise to the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha. Nepali readers will recognise the name: Khongkha is the Thai form of Ganga, the same river goddess honoured at home. Some people add a small coin, a few strands of hair or a nail clipping to the krathong as a symbol of releasing their own misfortune.
You will often hear a romantic story that Loy Krathong began with Nang Noppamas, a lady of the old Sukhothai court. Historians treat that legend as a much later literary creation, so it is best understood as part of the festival's folklore rather than as proven history. What is certain is that Sukhothai today stages one of the country's most atmospheric versions of the festival among its ruined temples.
Yi Peng: the full moon of the second Lanna month
Yi Peng belongs to Lanna, the old northern kingdom centred on Chiang Mai. In the northern dialect "yi" means two and "peng" means full moon, so Yi Peng is the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar. Because the Lanna calendar runs about two months ahead of the central Thai one, that same night is the full moon of the 12th month in central Thailand, the night of Loy Krathong.
Yi Peng is a Buddhist festival of merit. Families clean and decorate their homes, temples are hung with lanterns and lined with small clay lamps, and monks lead chanting and sermons. Three kinds of lantern matter:
- Khom loi: paper sky lanterns on a light frame, lifted by a small flame. Releasing one is a symbolic way to send misfortune away and to make a wish. These are the lanterns in the famous photographs, and the ones now tightly controlled.
- Khom fai and khom khwaen: decorative paper lanterns hung outside homes, along lanes and in temple grounds. Chiang Mai's old city glows with them for days.
- Phang prathip: small clay oil lamps lit along walls, steps and temple paths. They are quiet, safe and very beautiful.
Traditional Lanna households also floated a "sapao", a little boat, rather than the central Thai krathong. You may still see these in Chiang Mai, alongside the standard banana leaf krathong now used across the north.
Yi Peng vs Loy Krathong: the key differences
| Feature | Loy Krathong | Yi Peng |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is celebrated | Across Thailand, from Bangkok to the islands | Northern Thailand, especially Chiang Mai and the old Lanna provinces |
| Calendar | Full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar | Full moon of the 2nd month of the Lanna calendar (the same night) |
| Main act | Floating a krathong on water | Lighting and releasing lanterns, lighting clay lamps |
| Direction | Downward, onto rivers and ponds | Upward, into the night sky and on temple eaves |
| Meaning | Letting go of misfortune; honouring the water goddess | Making merit; honouring the Buddha; sending bad luck away |
| Typical object | Banana trunk and leaf krathong with candle and incense | Khom loi sky lantern, khom fai hanging lantern, clay lamp |
| Rules to know | No foam krathong in many places; use only official piers and ponds | Sky lanterns only on set nights, at set times, in permitted places |
| Best place to see it | Sukhothai, Bangkok's riverside and parks, Chiang Mai's Ping River | Chiang Mai old city temples and licensed lantern events outside the city |
If you only remember one thing, remember this: the krathong goes on the water and the khom loi goes into the sky. Floating a krathong is open to everyone at official spots. Releasing a sky lantern is not a free-for-all, especially in Chiang Mai.
When are the lantern festivals in 2026?
In 2026 Loy Krathong falls on Tuesday 24 November, which is the 15th waxing day of the 12th Thai lunar month. Chiang Mai's Yi Peng festival runs from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November 2026, with sky lanterns allowed on the nights of 24 and 25 November only. In Chiang Mai, 24 November is called the small krathong day and 25 November the big krathong day, which is the night of the grand parade. The dates move every year because they follow the moon, so a date you read for 2025 or 2027 will not apply.
| 2026 date box | Date | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Yi Peng festival, Chiang Mai | Mon 23 to Wed 25 November 2026 | Decorations, temple lamps, performances, contests and markets across the city |
| Loy Krathong night (full moon) | Tue 24 November 2026 | The main krathong night across Thailand |
| Sky lanterns, fire lanterns and fireworks | 24 and 25 November 2026, 19:00 to 01:00 the following morning | Only on the approved date, time and place; not in no-release zones |
| Smoke lanterns (wao hom) | 24 November 2026 only, 10:00 to 12:00 | Daytime tradition; banned on 25 November |
| Grand krathong parade | Wed 25 November 2026 | The big evening procession of decorated floats; start time announced locally |
| Sukhothai Historical Park festival | 15 to 24 November 2026 | Evening shows among the ruins, with an extra late show on 24 November |
Checked: 28 Oct 2026, Source: Chiang Mai Provincial Public Relations Office (7 Oct 2026) and Chiang Mai News (23 Sep 2026, citing Chiang Mai Municipality; 20 Oct 2026, citing the province) for Chiang Mai; OfficeMate Thai calendar article for the Loy Krathong date; Thailand.go.th for Sukhothai.
The Chiang Mai dates come from the province and the city. On 7 October 2026 the Chiang Mai Provincial Public Relations Office reported that the governor had chaired the planning meeting for Yi Peng 2569 (the Thai Buddhist year for 2026), set for 23 to 25 November, with lantern and fireworks releases allowed on 24 and 25 November between 19:00 and 01:00. Chiang Mai Municipality, led by the mayor's office, is running the city programme and set the grand krathong parade for 25 November. Programme times inside the old city, such as stage shows and parade start times, are usually confirmed close to the event, so check on the day.
A note for Nepali travellers: Tihar comes first
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng do not fall inside the Tihar holidays in 2026. Tihar ends with Bhai Tika on Wednesday 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25, 2083 BS), and Loy Krathong comes 13 days later, on 24 November. If you want both, celebrate Tihar at home and fly to Thailand afterwards.
| Festival | 2026 date | Gap to Loy Krathong |
|---|---|---|
| Laxmi Puja (Tihar) | Sun 8 November 2026 (Kartik 22) | 16 days before |
| Bhai Tika (Tihar) | Wed 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25) | 13 days before |
| Yi Peng, Chiang Mai | 23 to 25 November 2026 | Starts the day before |
| Loy Krathong | Tue 24 November 2026 | Festival night |
Checked: 28 Oct 2026, Source: Hamro Patro Nepali calendar for Kartik 2083 (Laxmi Puja on Kartik 22, Bhai Tika on Kartik 25). Some international holiday listings show Bhai Tika on 10 November; the Nepali calendar gives 11 November.
In practice this works in your favour. Flights out of Kathmandu are usually busiest around Dashain and Tihar, and the second half of November sits after that rush. A family that wants Bhai Tika at home and a Thailand trip in the same season can leave around 20 November and still be in Chiang Mai for the lantern nights. Our guide to Dashain and Tihar holidays abroad compares destinations that do fit inside the festival leave itself, if you can only travel then.
What the weather is like in late November
Late November is the start of the north's cool, dry season, which is one reason the festival is so pleasant. Long-term averages for Chiang Mai in November are around 31°C by day and about 19°C at night, with roughly 50 mm of rain spread over only a few days (1991 to 2020 averages, Climats et Voyages). Evenings by the river and out in the countryside feel cooler than the city centre, so bring a light layer. For the month by month picture across the whole country, see our guide to the best time to visit Thailand.
Where is the best place to see them?
Chiang Mai is the best place to see the lantern festival in Thailand, because it is the only city where Yi Peng's lanterns and Loy Krathong's floating krathong meet in one celebration. Sukhothai is the best choice for a historic, temple-ruin setting, and Bangkok is the easiest for travellers on a short city break who want to float a krathong on the Chao Phraya River or in a park.
| Place | What you see | 2026 timing | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai | Lantern-lit old city, temple lamps, krathong on the Ping River, parade, licensed sky lantern events outside town | 23 to 25 November | First-timers, couples, photographers | Very crowded; hotels fill early; no sky lanterns in the old city without a permit |
| Sukhothai | Light and sound shows, candles and krathong among 13th century ruins | 15 to 24 November | History lovers, families, slower travellers | Shows are ticketed; the historical park is outside the modern town |
| Bangkok | Krathong floating at riverside piers, canals and city parks; hotel and river events | 24 November | Short trips, families, first-time visitors to Thailand | In 2025, sky lanterns, fireworks and foam krathong were banned in city parks |
Checked: 28 Oct 2026, Sources: Chiang Mai Provincial Public Relations Office, Thailand.go.th (Sukhothai), The Nation (Bangkok park rules for 2025, 22 Oct 2025).
Chiang Mai: the heart of Yi Peng
In Chiang Mai the whole old city becomes the festival ground. The free, public side of Yi Peng is about walking: the lantern-hung lanes inside the moat, the temples, the river and the parade route. You do not need a ticket to enjoy most of it.
- Tha Phae Gate: the old city's eastern gate and the natural meeting point, with stages, decorations and the parade passing nearby. It becomes very crowded after dark, so arrive early if you want to stand near the front.
- Wat Phan Tao: a dark teak temple beside Wat Chedi Luang, glowing with hanging lanterns and candles. It is one of the most photographed places of the festival and is best visited with respect and patience.
- Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh: two of the city's main temples, decorated with lanterns and clay lamps.
- The Ping River: the place to float your krathong. The bridges east of the old city, such as Nawarat Bridge and the old Iron Bridge, give good views of the river filling with candlelight.
- The Three Kings Monument: the civic square in the centre of the old city, often used for performances and festival displays.
Exact stages, food markets and road closures change from year to year and are confirmed by the municipality close to the event. Treat any list of venues, including this one, as a starting point and check locally on the day. For everything else to do in the city before and after the festival nights, see our guide to things to do in Chiang Mai linked above.
Sukhothai: Loy Krathong among the ruins
Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds a festival called Loy Krathong, Burning Candles and Playing with Fire. In 2026 it runs from 15 to 24 November, according to the official Thailand.go.th event listing, with evening shows and an extra show on 24 November. The setting, with candlelit lotus-bud stupas reflected in old temple ponds, feels very different from Chiang Mai's city party.
Sukhothai is a quieter base, and the festival spreads over more days, which takes some pressure off accommodation. It can be combined with Chiang Mai by road, or reached from Bangkok by air or long-distance bus. The shows are ticketed, so book through the official channels listed by the organiser.
Bangkok: krathong by the river and in the parks
Loy Krathong is celebrated widely in Bangkok, and for many visitors it is the simplest way to take part. People float krathong from riverside piers along the Chao Phraya, along canals, and on the lakes in public parks. In 2025 the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration opened 33 public parks for Loy Krathong, including Lumphini Park, Chatuchak Park, Benjakitti Park and Santiphap Park, and kept them open until midnight on the festival night (The Nation, 22 Oct 2025). The city banned foam krathong in parks and did not allow sky lanterns, fireworks, firecrackers or alcohol sales inside them.
The 2026 list of Bangkok parks and piers had not been published in a source we could check when we wrote this, so expect a similar pattern and check the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's announcements nearer the date. Riverside hotels and dinner cruises also hold their own events, which are ticketed and book up early. For the rest of your time in the capital, our guide to places to visit in Bangkok will help you plan the days.
Other places that celebrate
Loy Krathong is celebrated almost everywhere in Thailand, including beach towns. If your trip is mostly in the south, you can still float a krathong at a local pond, beach or temple, though the scale is smaller. Other Lanna towns in the north, such as Lamphun and Lampang, keep their own Yi Peng traditions. If you are interested in lantern festivals across Asia, our guide to the Hoi An lantern festival in Vietnam describes a monthly full moon event with a very different feel.
Can tourists release sky lanterns in Chiang Mai?
Tourists cannot simply buy a sky lantern and release it anywhere in Chiang Mai. Releases are only allowed on 24 and 25 November 2026, from 19:00, at places that have permission. In 2025 the whole city district of Mueang Chiang Mai, which includes the old city and Tha Phae Gate, was a no-release zone, and the 2026 rules again restrict releases around the airport. For most visitors the realistic way to release a lantern legally is a licensed, ticketed event outside the city.
This is not bureaucracy for its own sake. Sky lanterns carry an open flame. They can land on roofs, power lines and dry fields, and they are a real danger to aircraft: Chiang Mai International Airport sits close to the old city. In recent years the airport has changed its evening schedule around the lantern nights, and the province now treats the airspace around it as a safety zone.
The 2026 rules in plain language
| Rule | What it says | What it means for a visitor |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted nights | Sky lanterns, fire lanterns and fireworks only on 24 and 25 November 2026 | No releases on 23 November or before the festival |
| Permitted hours | 19:00 until 01:00 the following morning | No early evening releases at sunset |
| Smoke lanterns (wao hom) | 24 November only, 10:00 to 12:00, to a set product standard, no firecrackers attached | A daytime tradition, not one to copy at night |
| Permits | Applications through the province's "Bamphen" app to the district chief, with a signed agreement on safety conditions | Designed for organisers and communities, not for individual tourists |
| Zones | Special watch zones, especially around Chiang Mai International Airport, include no-release areas and areas needing advance permission | Do not release lanterns in the old city or near the airport |
| Organisers | Must meet product standards, keep firefighting equipment and staff on site, and follow an emergency plan | A licensed event should be able to show it has permission |
| Penalties | Violations are punished under the relevant laws | Legal risk falls on the person who releases the lantern |
Checked: 28 Oct 2026, Source: Chiang Mai News (20 Oct 2026), reporting the province's 2026 lantern measures; Chiang Mai Provincial Public Relations Office (7 Oct 2026).
Where the no-release zones are
The 2026 announcement refers to special watch zones around the airport without listing them district by district in the reports we could read. For the 2025 festival the province published the detail: releases were strictly prohibited in the aviation safety zone (called the Toffy Zone) and the Level 1 Special Surveillance Zone (Red Zone), which together covered six districts and 39 sub-districts. All of Mueang Chiang Mai and Hang Dong districts were included, along with parts of Saraphi, San Sai, Mae Rim and San Pa Tong (Thai PBS Verify, 6 Nov 2025). Thai PBS Verify also reported penalties for releasing without permission of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both, and a longer possible prison term if a release causes a fire. These were the 2025 figures; check the 2026 announcement for any change. The 2026 reports describe the same approach, so assume the old city is off limits unless the province says otherwise.
Flights on lantern nights
If you are flying into or out of Chiang Mai around 24 and 25 November, check your flight time carefully. During the 2025 festival, Chiang Mai International Airport cancelled 65 flights and rescheduled 96, set the last departure for 7 p.m. on lantern nights, and added extra flights after the festival for returning visitors (Khaosod English, 1 Nov 2025). We could not find a published 2026 figure when we checked on 28 Oct 2026, but a similar evening pause is likely. Airlines usually adjust schedules in advance, so book a daytime flight and watch for change notices from your airline.
Ticketed sky lantern events
Licensed lantern events are held outside the city's no-release zones, with one organised release at a set time. They are the way most visitors take part in a mass lantern launch. These are the 2026 events we could confirm from organiser or official sources:
| Event | Location | 2026 dates | What we could confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival | CAD Cultural Center Lanna, Mae On district, east of Chiang Mai | 24 and 25 November | Two lanterns per ticket; outside lanterns, drones, alcohol and pets not allowed; Lanna food, performances and a krathong activity; some tickets include return transport from Chiang Mai; ID may be checked against the ticket name |
| CNX Loy Krathong and Sky Lantern Festival, Miracle Land | Beside the Mae Taeng River, Mae Taeng district, north of Chiang Mai | 24 and 25 November | Sky lanterns, oil lamps, krathong on the river, cultural market, fireworks and a light and music show; tickets sold through an online platform |
| Sukhothai Loy Krathong, Burning Candles and Playing with Fire | Sukhothai Historical Park | 15 to 24 November | Ticketed evening shows; extra show on 24 November |
Checked: 28 Oct 2026, Sources: organiser's official ticket listing for CAD Khomloy (24 and 25 Nov 2026), Naewna press release on the Mae Taeng event (20 Jul 2026), Thailand.go.th (Sukhothai).
Prices vary by zone, seating and transport, and the most popular sessions sell out, so book only through the organiser's official ticketing channel. Before paying, check three things: that the event is held on one of the permitted nights, that it names a specific venue outside the no-release zones, and that the seller is the one the organiser lists. Social media posts offering "private lantern releases" in the city are worth avoiding.
If you are not going to a ticketed event
You can enjoy Yi Peng fully without releasing a sky lantern yourself. Light a clay lamp at a temple, float a krathong on the Ping River, and watch the licensed lanterns on the horizon. Many local families do exactly that. If someone in the old city offers to sell you a sky lantern to release on the spot, politely decline.
What happens on the night of Loy Krathong?
On the night of Loy Krathong, people gather at rivers, canals and ponds after dark, light the candle and incense on their krathong, make a silent wish, and set it on the water. Around that simple act there are temple ceremonies, music, food stalls, beauty contests, parades and, in some places, fireworks. In Chiang Mai the night also includes lanterns and lamps for Yi Peng.
A typical evening in Chiang Mai, step by step
- Late afternoon: buy or make a krathong. Stalls around the old city and the river sell them, and some hotels and cooking schools run krathong-making sessions. Choose banana leaf and trunk, not foam.
- Early evening: walk the old city as the lanterns come on. Temples such as Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh are at their most beautiful as the light fades.
- After dark: head to the Ping River. Light your candle and incense, make a wish, and lower the krathong gently onto the water at a safe spot or pier.
- From 19:00 on lantern nights: licensed sky lantern releases begin in permitted places. From the city you may see distant lanterns rising on the horizon.
- Parade night: on 25 November the grand krathong parade fills the streets with giant illuminated floats, dancers and drum groups.
- Late: food stalls stay busy and the city remains lively. Plan your way back to the hotel, as roads around the old city close or jam.
What goes on a krathong
| Part | Traditional material | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Slice of banana trunk, or bread in some places | A float that breaks down in water |
| Wrapping | Folded banana leaves | Decoration and the lotus shape |
| Flowers | Marigolds, orchids and other fresh flowers | An offering of beauty |
| Candle | A single candle | Honouring the Buddha; light over darkness |
| Incense | Three sticks | Respect for the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha |
| Personal token (optional) | A small coin, a hair or a nail clipping | Letting go of misfortune |
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration asks people to use natural materials such as banana leaves and banana trunk, and promotes "one family, one krathong" to reduce waste. It also discourages bread krathong in closed park ponds, where leftover food pollutes the water. These are good habits wherever you celebrate.
How can you celebrate respectfully?
Celebrate Yi Peng and Loy Krathong respectfully by remembering that they are religious festivals first and photo opportunities second. Dress modestly at temples, keep your voice down during chanting, use natural krathong, follow the lantern rules, and never block a monk, a worshipper or a procession for a picture.
Etiquette checklist
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Cover shoulders and knees when you enter a temple | Wear beachwear or very short clothes in temple grounds |
| Take off your shoes where others do | Point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk |
| Stand quietly and to the side during chanting and ceremonies | Use flash or tripods in front of people who are praying |
| Use a banana leaf or other natural krathong | Float foam or plastic krathong |
| Join a licensed event if you want to release a sky lantern | Release a lantern in the old city, near the airport or on a non-permitted night |
| Ask before photographing people, especially monks and children | Climb on temple walls, statues or stupas for a better angle |
| Carry your rubbish away with you | Leave cups, wrappers or lantern frames on the ground |
| Keep children close at the riverbank and in crowds | Lean over unprotected river edges or crowded piers |
| Follow police and volunteer instructions on closed roads | Fly a drone over crowds or temples without permission |
Women should not touch a monk or hand anything directly to one; place it down or pass it through a man. Many temples now place signs asking visitors to keep a respectful distance from ceremonies. For a wider list of local customs, see our guide to dos and don'ts in Thailand.
Thinking about the environment
The festival leaves a heavy footprint. Sky lantern frames fall onto farmland, forests and rivers, and floating krathong have to be collected from waterways every year. In 2024, Bangkok collected 514,590 krathong after the festival, and 98.39 percent were made of natural materials, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration figures reported by The Nation. That share has risen as foam has been banned, and visitors can help keep it rising. One krathong per family or couple, made from natural materials, is a simple choice. Chiang Mai's 2026 programme also promotes an environmentally friendly festival and an e-donation scheme to support communities that prevent forest fires.
For families and older travellers
The old city is very crowded on the main nights, with closed roads and long walks. Families with small children, older parents or anyone with limited mobility may enjoy the evening more by visiting temples on 23 November, floating a krathong early in the evening, and watching the parade from a less packed stretch of the route. Ticketed lantern events usually have seating and fixed transport, which can make them easier for families than standing in the old city crowd. Agree a meeting point in case anyone gets separated.
How do you plan a trip to Chiang Mai for the festival?
Plan a Chiang Mai lantern festival trip by fixing your dates around 23 to 25 November 2026 first, then booking flights, a hotel and any ticketed lantern event as early as you can. From Kathmandu you fly to Bangkok, then continue north by domestic flight, overnight train or bus. Aim to arrive by 23 November and stay until at least 26 November so that the evening flight changes on lantern nights do not affect you.
Getting there from Kathmandu
There is no direct flight from Kathmandu to Chiang Mai. Most travellers fly Kathmandu to Bangkok, which is a nonstop flight of about three and a half hours, then take one of three routes north. Our guide to the Kathmandu to Bangkok flight explains airlines, airports and timings in detail. Remember that Thailand is 1 hour 15 minutes ahead of Nepal.
| Bangkok to Chiang Mai | Approximate time | Good for | Festival tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic flight | About 70 minutes in the air | Short trips and families | Book a daytime arrival; evening flights may change on 24 and 25 November |
| Overnight sleeper train | Roughly 10 to 12 hours or more | Couples and slow travellers | Saves a hotel night; sleeper berths sell out around the festival |
| Long distance bus | Roughly 10 to 12 hours | Budget travellers | Book a reputable operator from Bangkok's northern bus terminal |
Nepali passport holders need to arrange entry to Thailand before travel; see our Thailand visa page for current requirements.
When to book
| What to book | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai hotel | As soon as dates are fixed | The old city and riverside fill up for the festival nights |
| Ticketed lantern event | As soon as you know your night | Popular sessions sell out; tickets are dated |
| Flights from Kathmandu | Early, after you have checked leave and school dates | Late November follows the Tihar rush, but seats still go |
| Bangkok to Chiang Mai link | With your international flight | Daytime flights and sleeper berths are limited around the festival |
| Sukhothai show (if adding it) | A few weeks ahead | Fixed evening shows with limited seats |
| Travel insurance | When you pay for the first booking | Covers delays and changes once money is committed |
Where to stay
Staying inside or near the old city keeps you within walking distance of the temples, Tha Phae Gate and the parade, which matters when roads close. The riverside area east of Tha Phae Gate is convenient for floating a krathong. Nimman, west of the old city, is quieter and has plenty of cafés, but you will need transport on festival nights. If you are booked on a ticketed lantern event that includes transport, check where the pickup points are before you choose a hotel.
What to pack
- A light jacket or shawl for cool evenings and for covering shoulders at temples.
- Comfortable closed shoes for long walks and crowded streets.
- Trousers or a long skirt for temple visits; Lanna-style or smart, modest clothing for ticketed events that ask for it.
- A small torch or phone light, a power bank and a fully charged phone.
- Insect repellent for riverside evenings.
- Your passport or a copy, as some events check identity against the ticket name.
- Some cash in Thai baht for food stalls and krathong sellers.
Building the rest of the trip
Two to four days in Chiang Mai covers the festival plus the city's temples, markets and a day in the hills. Many travellers add Bangkok on the way in or out, and some continue south to a beach. If you would prefer flights, hotels and transfers arranged around the festival dates, you can compare Thailand tour packages that include Chiang Mai and the north.
Frequently asked questions
When is the lantern festival in Thailand in 2026?
The lantern festival in Thailand falls on the November full moon. In 2026 Loy Krathong is on Tuesday 24 November, and Chiang Mai's Yi Peng festival runs from 23 to 25 November, with sky lanterns allowed only on 24 and 25 November from 19:00 in permitted places. Sukhothai's festival runs from 15 to 24 November. Programme times are confirmed locally, so check on the day.
What is the difference between Yi Peng and Loy Krathong?
Loy Krathong is a nationwide Thai festival where people float small banana leaf baskets called krathong on water. Yi Peng is the northern Lanna festival of light, with sky lanterns, hanging lanterns and clay lamps. They fall on the same full moon, so in Chiang Mai the two are celebrated together as one lantern festival.
Where is the best place to see sky lanterns in Thailand?
Chiang Mai is the best place to see sky lanterns in Thailand, but mass releases now happen at licensed, ticketed events outside the city's no-release zones, such as the CAD Khomloy event in Mae On district on 24 and 25 November 2026. Inside Chiang Mai's old city you will see thousands of hanging lanterns and temple lamps instead.
Can tourists release lanterns in Chiang Mai?
Tourists can release sky lanterns in Chiang Mai only at permitted places on 24 and 25 November 2026, from 19:00. In 2025 the old city was inside a no-release zone, and penalties apply for releasing without permission. The practical option is a licensed ticketed event. Anyone can float a krathong on the Ping River.
Is Loy Krathong celebrated in Bangkok?
Yes, Loy Krathong is celebrated widely in Bangkok, on 24 November in 2026. People float krathong from riverside piers, canals and public park lakes. In 2025 the city opened 33 parks until midnight and banned foam krathong, sky lanterns and fireworks inside them. Check the 2026 park list from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration nearer the date.
Do I need a ticket for lantern events?
You do not need a ticket to enjoy Chiang Mai's lantern-lit old city, temples, river and parade, which are public. You do need a ticket for organised sky lantern releases, such as the CAD Khomloy event or the Mae Taeng event on 24 and 25 November 2026, and for Sukhothai's evening shows. Buy only through the organiser's official channel.
Is it crowded during Yi Peng?
Yes, Chiang Mai is very crowded during Yi Peng, especially around Tha Phae Gate, Wat Phan Tao, the Ping River bridges and the parade route on 24 and 25 November. Roads close, traffic slows and hotels fill early. Arrive early in the evening, agree a meeting point, and visit temples on 23 November for a calmer experience.
What should I wear?
Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for Chiang Mai's temples during Yi Peng, with comfortable closed shoes for walking. Late November evenings average around 19°C, so a light jacket helps. Some ticketed lantern events ask for Lanna-style, Thai or smart, modest clothing, so check your event's dress note.
Is the lantern festival like Tihar?
Thailand's lantern festival shares Tihar's spirit of light, but it is a different festival with a different date. Tihar honours Laxmi, animals and the bond of brothers and sisters, while Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are Buddhist merit-making and a thank you to the water goddess. In 2026 Loy Krathong comes 13 days after Bhai Tika.
Can I combine Tihar and the Thailand lantern festival in 2026?
Yes, but one after the other. Tihar ends with Bhai Tika on 11 November 2026 and Loy Krathong is on 24 November, so Nepali travellers can celebrate Tihar at home and leave for Thailand around 20 November. That timing also misses the busiest Dashain and Tihar flight rush from Kathmandu.
Thailand ko batti chad kahile ho?
Thailand ko Loy Krathong 2026 ma Mangalbar, 24 November ma parchha, ra Chiang Mai ko Yi Peng 23 dekhi 25 November samma hunchha. Akashma batti udaune anumati 24 ra 25 November ko beluka 7 baje dekhi matra ho. Tihar ko Bhai Tika (11 November) bhanda 13 din pachhi parchha. (In English: Loy Krathong is on Tuesday 24 November 2026 and Chiang Mai's Yi Peng runs 23 to 25 November; sky lanterns are allowed from 7 pm on 24 and 25 November only, 13 days after Bhai Tika.)
