Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival Guide For First Timers

Seeing the glowing lanterns of the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai had been on my bucket list for years. Like many people, I first came across a photo online showing thousands of lanterns floating into the night sky, and I instantly knew I had to experience it for myself.

So I booked my trip to Thailand months in advance to attend the Yi Peng Festival, only to realize that figuring out how the festival actually works is surprisingly confusing. Information online is limited, often outdated, and sometimes even contradictory, especially when it comes to where to go, how to release lanterns, and whether you need tickets.

After experiencing the festival firsthand, I quickly learned that planning ahead is essential if you want to avoid disappointment and actually see the magical lantern release you see in photos.

In this Yi Peng Lantern Festival guide, I’ll share exactly what it’s like, how the festival works, where to see the lantern releases, and how to plan your visit so you can experience one of the most unforgettable events in Thailand.

🎟️ Want the Full Lantern Festival Experience?

If you want to experience the iconic mass lantern release you see in photos, you’ll need to book a ticket for an organized event in advance.

👉 Check availability for the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival here
(Premium seating + round-trip transfers included)

⚠️ These events sell out quickly, especially for November dates.

Festival Overview

Below is a map that showcases every major point of interest during the 3-day festival. I will break down each POI (point of interest) in the daily overview of the festival below for detailed information. Be sure to choose an accommodation that lies anywhere within the ‘square’, the historic center of town. This way, you can get anywhere very easily on foot.

What is Yi Peng?

Yi Peng is a Lanna (northern Thai) festival referring to the full moon day in the second month according to the Lanna lunar calendar (the twelfth month according to the Thai lunar calendar). Countless Lanna-style sky lanterns (khom loi) are launched into the air. They resemble large shoals of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating through the sky.

👉 If you’re planning your trip, check out my full 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary for temples, markets, and day trips.

What is Loy Krathong?

In fact, Loy Krathong is the main festival and Yi Peng a local sub-festival that coincides with Loy Kratong. Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand, Laos, Shan, Tanintharyi, Kelantan, Kedah and Xishuangbanna. It literally means “to float a basket”. This comes from the old tradition of a krathong, or decorated baskets, which are then released into a river to pay respects to the water spirits.

👉 Tip: If you’re visiting Chiang Mai during Yi Peng, make sure to book your hotel early. The best places in the Old City sell out fast during the festival.

👉 Browse the best hotels in Chiang Mai here.

Mae Jo Mass Lantern Release (Important Info)

You may have heard about the Mae Jo Mass Lantern Release, which is often shown in viral photos online.

However, this is not part of the official Yi Peng festival. It’s a privately organized event mainly aimed at tourists, and tickets can be quite expensive.

If you’re looking for a more organized lantern release experience with better logistics and guaranteed participation, I recommend booking an official event instead.

👉 Check availability for the Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival here (includes transport + premium seating).

Day 1: Opening Ceremony

On day 1 of the festival, an opening ceremony is held at Tha Phae Gate. Head there about 2 hours before sunset and you’ll have plenty of time to check out the area. There is a local street market and lots of temples that offer delicious meals at low prices. When I went there, I had a delicious stuffed squid dish at one of the temples.

After grabbing a bite to eat, head to the square where you’ll see lots of people gathering and preparing small candles on the ground in beautiful shapes. Take a seat at one of the chairs in front of the stage and let the opening ceremony surprise you. There’s singing, dancing and lots of introductions of important people. After the ceremony, people light the candles.

Note: There is no lantern release on the first day of the festival.

Day 2: Lantern and Krathong Release

Morning and Afternoon

I spent the morning and early afternoon temple hopping in Chiang Mai. I recommend heading to What Phra Singh Temple as they make traditional krathongs. Write a wish on your krathong, leave some hair and a bit of your fingernail and it will be blessed for good fortune by a Buddhist monk. Such a cool experience!

Evening

In the evening of day two of the festival, head back to Tha Phae Gate at around 5PM. Then, walk straight towards Nawarat Bridge. Along the way, you will see countless people selling handmade krathongs, traditional floating baskets decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, incense sticks, and a candle. A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits.

Purchase one of the krathongs if you like and head down to the river where people release them. Note that releasing the krathongs happens before the lantern release so be sure to release your floating basket into the river before sunset. I made the mistake and kept mine until the lantern release was over and had a hard time getting down to the river because it was so crowded.

Lantern Release

Once you have released your krathong, it’s time to find the best spot to watch the lanterns later in the evening. While you can sit down next to the river, I found it better to stand on top of the bridge overlooking the people and the river. However, it means you will be standing for a few hours but I think I got a better overview of everything going on plus better photos from up there. You can also purchase a couple of floating lanterns that people sell on the bridge and the street.

If you want a more structured and less crowded experience, consider joining an organized lantern release event instead of navigating the crowds on your own.

👉 Reserve your spot for a Yi Peng lantern release event here.

When the sun has set, the first floating lanterns show up in the sky. It seems like there are more locals releasing krathongs into the river and more foreign visitors release lanterns. Still, I really enjoyed the festivities and the atmosphere. Since it’s not easy to light a lantern and release it into the sky, everyone cheered once someone was able to make it float.

It was good fun.

Day 3: Closing Ceremony Parade

The final day of the parade has a special treat in store for you: a huge parade! Again, head to the Tha Phae Gate. Here, you will see dozens of beautifully decorated wagons and people dressed in a variety of traditional Thai costumes from different eras getting ready to walk in a parade. I suggest heading there at around 5 PM again as you will be able to take photos of (and even with) local participants before they run off walking in the parade.

When the parade was over, people released more floating lanterns at Tha Phae Gate and the atmosphere was magical.

If you’re staying longer in Chiang Mai, this is the perfect time to explore more of the area.

👉 Browse top Chiang Mai tours and day trips here
(temples, waterfalls, cooking classes, and more)

Where to Stay for Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai

Accommodation fills up quickly during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival, so I highly recommend booking early, especially if you want to stay inside the Old City.

Linda’s Recommendation: Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts

This was my favorite place to stay in Chiang Mai. It’s centrally located in the Old City, beautifully designed, and within walking distance of temples, markets, and festival events.

👉 Check availability at Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts here.

Unique Stay Outside the City (Elephant Sanctuary)

If you want a completely different experience, consider staying at Chai Lai Orchid, an eco-lodge and ethical elephant sanctuary just outside Chiang Mai.

It’s one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in Thailand.

👉 Check availability and book your stay at Chai Lai Orchid here.

👉 Browse more Chiang Mai hotel deals here.

Important: Environmental Impact & Responsible Travel

While the Yi Peng Lantern Festival is undeniably beautiful, it’s important to be aware of the environmental impact and safety concerns associated with releasing large numbers of sky lanterns.

Lanterns can pose risks to wildlife, create waste, and even cause fire hazards if not handled properly. This is something I wasn’t fully aware of before attending, and it’s definitely worth considering when planning your visit.

If you do want to experience the lantern release, I recommend choosing an organized and more responsible event rather than participating randomly in the city.

👉 The official Yi Peng lantern event I recommended above uses eco-friendly lanterns and supports a recycling program, where nearby communities collect and return used lanterns to promote sustainability.

This helps reduce environmental impact while still allowing visitors to experience the magic of the festival in a more mindful way.

Taking a few extra steps to travel responsibly can make a big difference — both for the local community and for preserving this beautiful tradition for years to come.

Is Yi Peng Festival Worth It?

Honestly, the festivals turned out to be very different from what I expected – in a good way! I had a splendid time in Chiang Mai and learned a lot about the local culture. I have to say that I actually enjoyed the Loy Krathong festivities a lot more. The floating baskets were absolutely stunning and I loved the amazing atmosphere of the city during the festival days. The parade on the last day of the festival was also absolutely amazing and I loved seeing all the smiling faces of the locals and tourists.

I recommend going to the two festivals but also be sure to explore Chiang Mai’s many other sites and attractions while you are there!

Plan Your Yi Peng Festival Trip

To make the most of your experience:

• 🎟️ Book your lantern festival tickets in advance
  👉 Check availability here

• 🏨 Secure your hotel early (Old City recommended)
  👉 Browse Chiang Mai hotels

• 🗺️ Plan your itinerary
  👉 Read my Chiang Mai itinerary guide

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