2025 Official Tickets for Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival

Yi Peng Sky Lantern Release Event E-Ticket Demo

Once we receive your payment, our travel advisor will contact you within 24 hours and send you your e-ticket. The picture below is a sample e-ticket for the Chiang Mai CAD Komloy Sky Lantern Festival 2024.

How to Choose a Lantern Release Event?

In 2024, there were more than six Yi Peng mass lantern release events on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Here, we would like to highlight three of them. Others may either have limited capacity, like the event at Doi Saket, be targeted at large groups of Chinese tourists, like the Northern Study Center event, or be new, potentially leading to issues like disorder or safety concerns.

Two events are the most famous: Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lanterns Festival (Chiang Mai CAD for short) and Yee Peng Lanna International (more commonly known as Mae Jo). Are you wondering which one to choose?

Among these events, Chiang Mai CAD stands out as the premier choice. It is the most spectacular event due to its unparalleled scale, boasting the highest number of lanterns and fireworks. The dazzling displays create a truly awe-inspiring atmosphere. Additionally, the event offers a rich variety of food choices and an array of engaging activities, ensuring safety with experienced staff and standby emergency teams.

The large scale of lantern release at CAD

In contrast, the Mae Jo event, while famous, falls short in comparison. It offers simpler food options, lacks experiential activities, and features fewer lantern displays. One more downside is that the dates and ticket sales are typically confirmed very late each year, which can affect travel planning.

The scale of lantern release is smaller at Mae Jo.

(My personal experience attending both events in 2023 reinforced this contrast. At the Mae Jo event, long waits and basic food left much to be desired. Conversely, Chiang Mai CAD offered abundant food choices, engaging activities, and a breathtaking lantern release ceremony, solidifying its status as the preferred choice.)

Chiang Mai Heritage Sky Lanterns offers another option alongside Chiang Mai CAD. While its scale may not match CAD's, it provides a more affordable experience. Nevertheless, it still offers a rich array of activities and food offerings, making it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a less crowded and more intimate atmosphere.

Is There Any Free Event?

No. Due to safety concerns, free mass lantern release events were canceled by the local government in 2015.

You might find some information online suggesting that sky lanterns can be released in downtown Chiang Mai. That information is outdated or misleading. In fact, since 2020, for safety reasons, releasing sky lanterns has been prohibited in the downtown area. It is illegal to release sky lanterns in the city center.

The privately organized lantern release events usually occur on the outskirts, approximately 30km (20 miles) from the city center. This is primarily for safety and the convenience of collecting the lanterns afterward.

However, even if you don't attend a lantern release event, there are still many free activities in downtown Chiang Mai. You can release water lanterns on the Ping River, watch parades, and enjoy cultural performances in the old city area.

What Is the Difference Between the Yi Peng and the Loy Krathong?

Yi Peng and Loy Krathong typically occur around the same time, but they are two separate festivals with different origins, traditions, and main activities.

Release Sky Lanterns in Yi Peng Festival

Release Water Lanterns in Loy Krathong Festival

Yi Peng Festival vs. Chiang Mai's New Year Eve Countdown Festival

In recent years, alongside the mesmerizing Yi Peng Festival, Chiang Mai's New Year's Eve Countdown Festival has been increasingly in the spotlight.

In this year, Chiang Mai CAD is scheduled to take place on December 30-31, 2024. (We are the authorized ticket provider, and feel free to reach out to secure your tickets in advance.)

What sets these two festivals apart? In reality, the activities and experiences at both events are quite similar. 

How to Plan a Chiang Mai Trip with Yi Peng Festival

If you want to experience the Yi Peng Festival and classic Chiang Mai attractions, we recommend staying for 4 nights (2 days for the festivals, and the rest for exploring Chiang Mai and enjoying an elephant experience).

Here is a sample 4-day itinerary:

Day 1 (Nov. 4th): Arrive in Chiang Mai
Day 2 (Nov. 5th): Visit Mount Doi Suthep and participate in the Yi Peng Festival Sky Lantern Release
Day 3 (Nov. 6th): Enjoy a Memorable Lantern Festival Full Moon Day (or a free morning followed by a cooking experience)
Day 4 (Nov. 7th): Meet Elephants in the Jungle at Elephant Rescue Park
Day 5 (Nov. 8th): Depart from Chiang Mai

Insider Tips: On the morning of the third day, it's best to rest or take on light activities since the Yi Peng Festival will keep you out late the night before. In the afternoon, you can experience the Loy Krathong Festival. Besides watching the grand parade in the old town, you can also engage in activities like making floating lanterns. If you're not interested in this, you could join a cooking class instead.

If you're short on time, consider this 3-day time-smart itinerary. The first two days follow the same schedule as the 4-day itinerary.

On the third day, you have four choices:

• A. For those who love the outdoors: A full-day tour of an elephant experience, waterfall trek, and bamboo rafting in the Mae Wang area of Chiang Mai.
• B. For those who love nature and culture: A full-day tour of Cave Exploration (Chiang Dao Cave) and a visit to a Long Neck Tribe.
• C. For those who love history: A full-day tour to visit the temples in Lampang and Lamphun.
• D. For those interested in Chiang Rai: A full-day Chiang Rai Temple Tour to visit the White Temple), Black House, and Blue Temple.

See our hand-crafted Thailand lantern tours, or contact us to customize a tour for you.

Tours Including Yi Peng Festival 2025

Here are the recommended tours including Yi Peng Festival 2025. We are also happy to customize a private tour including the experience of the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival according to your interests and schedule.

10-Day Best of Thailand at Yi Peng Festival Mini-Group Tour 2024

8-Day A Unique Loy Krathong & Yi Peng Festival Tour

5-Day Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival Mini-Group Tour 2024

14-Day Private Thailand Tour with the Lantern Festival

5-Day Romantic Thailand Lantern Festival Couples Tour

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng Festival?

In Chiang Mai, we recommend three accommodation areas:

(1) Old City: best area for first-time visitors

This area is perfect for exploring the ancient city as it's just a few minutes' walk away from most cultural attractions. It boasts a central location, making it convenient for travelers.

While it's the most commercialized part of Chiang Mai, there are plenty of affordable accommodation options available. A recommended 4-star hotel in this area is the Smile Lanna Hotel.

(2) Riverside: best area for families and luxury

This area offers a more upscale experience with many 5-star hotels, such as the recommended Maladee Rendezvous Hotel. It's known for its tranquil ambiance, making it suitable for families and older travelers seeking a relaxed stay. Most hotels there cater to luxury resort seekers.

You'll find numerous waterside restaurants, bars, and cafés, along with reasonably priced luxury resorts and hotels. The atmosphere is quiet at night, and you can enjoy picturesque views of the River Ping. However, shopping and nightlife options are limited.

(3) Nimmanhaemin: great for nightlife

This area is known for its boutique shopping scene, trendy restaurants, and cafés. It is an ideal destination for those who enjoy vibrant nightlife and a modern urban vibe. It is close to Maya Shopping Center and conveniently located to the airport. It's less congested compared to other areas and relatively cheaper.

Recommended hotels in this area include the Cross Vibe Chiang Mai Decem and Makka Hotel.

Festive Activities in Chiang Mai during the Festival

Apart from attending the mass sky lantern release, there are many things to do in downtown Chiang Mai. These are some top activities you should not miss:

1. Join the locals to float your krathong on the Ping River.

The best spots to release floating lanterns (krathongs) are Nawarat Bridge and the Iron Bridge along the Ping River. You can buy a krathong on site to experience releasing it. Alternatively, you can choose one of our customizable Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Tours that includes a krathong-making experience.

Dining in a fancy riverside restaurant to watch the river lanterns floating by during dinner is also very nice.

2. Don't miss the 'big krathong parade'.

The big parade is a highlight of the Loy Krathong festival. This year, it will take place on November 16th.

Giant illuminated krathongs are paraded with candidates for an upcoming beauty contest perched on top. Groups in traditional dress line up, cheered on by lively flute and drum music.

Starting at around 6 pm, the parade goes from Tha Phae Gate to the Chiang Mai Provincial Municipality building, passing through Tha Phae Road.

It is free. Make sure to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

3. Visit Wat Phan Tao.

For a serene and reverent festive experience, consider visiting Wat Phan Tao (located just west of Tha Phae Gate). The temple is adorned with colorful lanterns in the traditional northern Thai style, as well as traditional oil lamps. There, you can participate in lighting an oil lamp and receive a blessing from the monks.

Below is the official program from 2023 for your reference. The activities are similar each year. Typically, the Tourist Authority of Thailand publishes the program about one month before the festival.

Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival Agenda

The schedule for the 2025 Loy Krathong Festival has not been released yet. The following information is based on last year's schedule for reference. Typically, the festival's activities span three days each year, usually starting the day before the actual festival.