Yi Peng & Loy Krathong — Feast of Lights
Light Festival · Chiang Mai, Thailand
The festival
At the full moon of the 12th lunar month, Thailand is putting water lights on Loy Krathong: small rafts of banana leaves (krathongs) carrying candles, incense and a wish are entrusted to the rivers and canals, thanking the goddess of the waters and letting go the rancunes of the year.
In Chiang Mai, in the North, the festival is doubled by Yi Peng, the tradition of the Lanna kingdom: thousands of paper lanterns (khom law) climb into the night sky, temples light up rows of oil lamps, and the great parade of giant krathongs crosses the old city from the Tha Phae gate. Collective releases of the most photographed lanterns take place in enclosures organized on the outskirts of the city (their outfit is framed, the airport area being forbidden to lanterns).
In 2026, full moon on November 24th; the municipal celebrations of Chiang Mai run from November 23rd to 25th.
Good to know
Moonlight dates: Full moon on November 24, 2026 (Thai lunar year with additional month, hence the late date); Loy Krathong 2027 announced on November 13, 2026. Lantern releases in the city themselves are regulated (areas and times published by the province).