Have you seen pictures or videos of thousands of lanterns floating up into the night sky? That is Thailand's famous lantern festival, called Yi Peng or Yee Peng, celebrated annually in Chiang Mai. Attending the festival is on many people's bucket lists. If you want to enjoy the magical experience to the utmost, this article will help you.
When is Yi Peng Festival 2025?
Yi Peng Lantern Festival takes place annually on full moon evenings in month 2 of the Lanna lunar calendar, and the Gregorian calendar date changes from year to year. It usually falls in November.
In 2025, it will be celebrated on November 5th and 6th.
How to Attend the Sky Lantern Release?
Since 2020, for safety reasons, releasing sky lanterns has been prohibited in the downtown area. Private lantern release events, which usually occur on the outskirts, offer the chance to release lanterns. To attend, you need to purchase tickets. Alongside the lantern release, you will also experience cultural activities, shows, and local cuisine.
Tickets for Chiang Mai CAD 2025 are on sale – secure your spot now before it's too late!
What to Expect for Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival?
1. Enjoy Spectacular Cultural Shows and Performances
Before the lantern release, you can get an immersive cultural experience at the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival. This includes various cultural shows such as the fire show, traditional northern Thailand dance, and a Thai orchestra.
There are also mini-shows by local hill tribes around Chiang Mai, such as the Hmong, Karen, and Akha peoples.
2. Taste Cuisines from around Thailand
While exploring the culture of the northern Lanna people, get a taste of delicacies from all over Thailand. You will also find a wide variety of local fruits, snacks, and drinks.
Furthermore, most of the menus are cooked on the spot! Enjoy the cooking demonstration and try the freshly cooked food with no limits.
3. Experience a Once-in-a-Lifetime Mass Lantern Release
In your ticket package, 2 sky lanterns and 1 krathong each are included. The highlight of the event comes from the beginning of the countdown to when the sky lanterns slowly lift into the sky. Make your wishes and release your lanterns into the sky together with all the guests creating a most magnificent moment in the festive night.
Before or after the sky lantern release, you can float your krathong at Loy Krathong Floating Zone. It is also enchanting to see thousands of water lanterns floating downstream.
Schedule for Yi Peng Mass Lantern Release
03:30 pm- 04:30 pm: Pick up at designated meeting points and transfer to the venue.
04:30 pm - 06:30 pm: Arrive at the Venue, present your e-ticket to register your ticket at the main entrance. Take part in captivating activities, including the traditional Loi Kratong ceremony.
06:30 pm - 07:30 pm: Enjoy authentic Thai Lanna Buffet Dinner, snacks, desserts, and non-alcohol beverages. (Veggie food available)
07:30 pm: Enter the ritual area in from of the great pagoda. Witness an awe-inspiring display of drumming, candlelight shows, religious ceremonies, and monks chanting.
08:15 pm: Launch lanterns and enjoy the breathtaking spectacle.
08:45 pm: End of the celebration, transfer back to Maya Shopping Center.
This schedule is for reference only, and it is subject to the venue arrangement of the festival day.
How Many Days to Spend in Chiang Mai?
2 full days (Nov. 15th and Nov. 16th in 2024) in Chiang Mai is a must for experiencing both Yi Peng and Loy Krathong.
Even though mass lantern releases will take place on November 15th and 16th, we recommend doing the mass lantern release on November 15th. Then you can attend the folk activities, which are only held on November 16th (the day of Loy Krathong), such as the parade in the city center near Tha Phae Gate, the candle ceremony at Wat Pan Tao, and the release of krathong ('floating lantern') on the Ping River.
Chiang Mai is a city full of various unique experiences. You may want to spend more days there to do these activities:
- Visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungle to have a close encounter with elephants
- Take an evening tour of Doi Suthep mountain and visit the sacred Wat Phra That temple
- Have a Street Food Tour, exploring Chiang Mai's colorful night markets
- Have an extended trip out to the remote Thai border area of Chiang Rai, etc.
We have especially designed several tours including Yi Peng Festival. Our tours include tickets for the Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival, unique Thai cultural experiences, and the best sights of Thailand from the northern hill tribes to sunny southern beaches. Check the following exclusive mini-group or private tours, or more Chiang Mai tours for inspiration.
Yi Peng Festival Travel Tips
1. Plan early.
The Yi Peng Festival is so famous that it's best to get ready for it as early as possible. Book your tickets and hotel accommodations months in advance. Tourism doubles during the time of the festival.
2. Follow the dress code for the event.
No shorts, sleeveless tops, or miniskirts are allowed. We recommend you get dressed up in Lanna style with a longyi as bottoms and top that covers your shoulders.
3. Bring your camera and phone for pictures.
It's a challenge to get good photos in bad light and with a lot of people. If you want to have dramatic pictures, you can book a professional photography service in advance.
4. There's no alcohol at the event.
Alcohol drinking or selling is not allowed at the celebration.
5. Ask for help to release your lanterns.
A traditional Lanna lantern is big in size, and it usually takes two people to launch. You will find some volunteers at the venue who will be happy to help you out.
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
