The Yi Peng Lantern Festival, a mesmerizing celebration of light and culture, is one of Thailand's most visually stunning events. Each year, thousands of lanterns illuminate the night sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle that draws visitors from around the world.
When Is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2025?
In 2025, the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival will be held for two days on November 5th and 6th, 2025.
The date of the Yi Peng Festival changes every year. Yi Peng festival was created by the Lanna people of Northern Thailand and its date is based on the Lanna Lunar Calendar. Its name indicates when the festival is celebrated.
Yi means 'two' and Peng means 'full moon day'. Yi peng means the full moon night in the second month according to the Lanna lunar calendar (the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar), which is usually in November.
Yi Peng is celebrated in tandem with Loy Krathong, normally starting one or two days before Loy Krathong.
Yi Peng Festival Dates: 2025, 2026...
The official date of Yi Peng is announced the year before. So we don't know exactly when the festival will take place in future years, but we know it will likely happen on the night of the full moon or one day before or after. Here are the upcoming full moons (and tentative Yi Peng Lantern Festival dates).
| Year | Dates | Week Days |
| 2023 | Nov. 27-28 | Monday-Tuesday |
| 2024 | Nov. 15-16 | Friday - Saturday |
| 2025 | Nov. 5-6 | Wednesday - Thursday |
| 2026 | Nov. 24-25 | Tuesday - Wednesday |
| 2027 | Nov. 13-14 | Saturday - Sunday |
| 2028 | Nov. 1-2 | Wednesday - Thursday |
| 2029 | Nov. 20-21 | Tuesday - Wednesday |
| 2030 | Nov. 9-10 | Saturday - Sunday |
Why Does the Yi Peng Date Change Every Year?
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is intricately tied to the lunar calendar. It is celebrated on the full moon night of the second month in the Lanna calendar, a traditional Thai calendar used in Northern Thailand. Since the lunar calendar doesn't align perfectly with the solar calendar, the full moon night falls on different dates each year. This causes the Yi Peng festival to shift annually within the Gregorian calendar.
How Long Does the Yi Peng Lantern Festival Last?
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival typically lasts for two days. Each day features the grand release of thousands of lanterns into the sky, creating the iconic image of the festival. It also includes additional cultural performances, parades, and community activities, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
Yi Peng Festival Lantern Release Venues in 2025
One important thing to note is that witnessing the spectacle of thousands of sky lanterns soaring into the night sky typically requires attending a private event, for which tickets are available at prices ranging from USD 80 to 300.
Each year, in addition to the renowned Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lanterns Festival (referred to as CAD) and Yee Peng Lanna International (also known as Mae Jo), there are more than 5 lantern release events. These venues offer similar schedules, providing attendees with more options to choose from.
If you're eager to experience this mesmerizing event, you can secure your tickets now. We are an authorized agent to offer ticket booking service.
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Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng FestivalYi Peng Festival Celebration Schedule
If you don't want to attend a private event, you can still experience a lot of festive activities in downtown Chiang Mai.
The activities are similar each year. For reference, here is the schedule for 202 for reference:
| Events in the city | Time | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Ceremony of Worshiping the Spirit House and the White Pagoda | 08:00 a.m. | Nov. 14, 2024 | Chiang Mai Municipality Office, White Pagoda |
| 2. Ping River Worship and Respect Offering Ceremony | 09:00 a.m. | Nov. 14, 2024 | Pier at Sri Khong Temple |
| 3. Yeepeng Lanna Lanterns Contest (Big Hanging Lanterns) | 04:00 p.m. | Nov. 14, 2024 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 4. Opening of “Chiang Mai Yee Peng Festival“ | 06:00 p.m. | Nov. 14, 2024 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 5. Mister & Miss Yee Peng Contest | 07:00 p.m. | Nov. 14-15, 2024 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 6. Traditional Lanna Archway Display | For the duration of the event | Nov. 14-16, 2024 | Temples in the city moat |
| 7. Ping River Krathong Release Ceremony | 6:00 p.m. | Nov. 14-16, 2024 | Ping River Bank at Municipality Office |
| 8. Lanna Arts and Culture Performance | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Nov. 14-16, 2024 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 9. Celebrating the Glorious Ping River Chiang Mai Yee Peng Festival Activity | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Nov. 14-16, 2024 | The Ping River, Mae Kha Canal |
| 10. Light, sound, and multimedia show | 8:00 p.m. | Nov. 14-16, 2024 | The Stage at Wat Sri Khong Pier |
| 11. Royal Celebration Fireworks Display | 8:30 p.m. | Nov. 14-16, 2024 | Pier at Sri Khong Temple |
| 12. Phra Mahachat Sermon Ceremony | 5:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. | Nov. 15, 2024 | Sri Don Chai Temple |
| 13. Handmade Lotus Leaf and Fresh Flower Krathong Contest | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Nov. 15, 2024 | Municipality office |
| 14. Yee Peng Kids Contest | 6:00 p.m. | Nov. 15, 2024 | Municipality office |
| 15. Large Krathong Parade Contest for Royal Trophy (highlights) | 7:00 -10:00 p.m. | Nov. 15, 2024 | Tha pae gate – Chiang Mai Municipality office |
| 16. Thai Country Music and Dance Contest to preserve Thai culture | 4:30 p.m. | Nov. 16, 2024 | Municipality Office |
| 17. Large Krathong Parade Contest for Royal Trophy | 7:00 p.m. | Nov. 16, 2024 | Tha Phae Gate-Municipality office |
| 18. Award Ceremony for Large Krathong Parades | 10:00 p.m. | Nov. 16, 2024 | Municipality office |
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