Yi Peng 2026 in Chiang Mai: The Lantern Festival, the Rules, and Where to Go

Yi Peng is the reason most people have a picture of Thailand in their heads: thousands of glowing paper lanterns rising into a black sky. It is real, it happens in Chiang Mai, and it's even better in person. But it's also surrounded by more confusion than any other festival in Thailand, starting with whether you're allowed to let a lantern go at all.

When is Yi Peng 2026?#

Yi Peng is held on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar, the old calendar of northern Thailand, which falls on the same nights as Loy Krathong. In 2026 that is around November 24–25, and Chiang Mai usually celebrates for about three days. The city publishes its official programme beforehand, including where lanterns may be released.

What Yi Peng is#

Yi means two and peng means full moon: the full moon of the second month. The khom loi, the floating lantern, is let go to carry away bad luck and make a wish for the year ahead. Just as important, and easier to see, are the khom lanterns hung in temples, houses and across the streets of the old city, which make the whole place glow for the week.

Loy Krathong, celebrated all over Thailand the same night, is the water half: small boats of banana leaf, flowers and a candle floated on rivers and ponds. In Chiang Mai, you get both. If you're in Bangkok instead, here is Loy Krathong 2026 in Bangkok.

The rules about lanterns#

This is what most visitors don't know.

• Releasing sky lanterns is restricted. Lanterns that come down still burning cause fires, and Chiang Mai's airport sits right next to the old city. The city sets the times and places where release is allowed, and the airport changes its flight schedule around the festival.
• Follow the official announcement for the year, not what a friend did five years ago.
• Never release a lantern under trees, near power lines or close to buildings, and hold it until it pulls upward on its own.

The mass lantern releases#

The famous scene of thousands of lanterns going up at once is a ticketed event held outside the city, usually at a temple ground or a venue organised for it. Tickets are expensive and sell out months ahead, and fakes circulate. Buy only from the organiser, and check the date and the venue before you pay.

You don't need one to have a wonderful night. Most of Yi Peng happens in the city and is free.

Where to go in Chiang Mai#

• Tha Phae Gate and the old city: lanterns hung everywhere, the opening events, and the old city walls lit up.
• The temples: Wat Phan Tao, next to Wat Chedi Luang, is famous for its lantern ceremony with the monks. Go early and be quiet.
• The Ping River: the Nawarat Bridge and the riverbanks are where people float their krathong.
• The parade: on the main night, floats decorated with lights and flowers move through the city.

Practical tips#

• Book a room early. It's the busiest week of the year in Chiang Mai, and prices rise.
• It's cool at night in late November, around 15–20°C. Bring a layer.
• Traffic stops. Walk or use a songthaew for short distances, and expect the roads around the old city to close.
• Buy krathong made of natural materials, not foam.

Bangkok or the north for your trip? Bangkok vs Chiang Mai.

Spend it with someone from Chiang Mai#

The best Yi Peng is not the one on social media. It's a family temple with paper lanterns, a krathong made at home, and a riverbank only locals know. Local Friends in Chiang Mai are locals you message directly on Roavi. More about the city: the Chiang Mai city guide.

Every big festival and holiday worldwide, month by month, with the dates: the Roavi world events calendar.