I got to experience Loy Krathong (Thailand’s annual lantern festival, held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month) before I even knew what it was.
Picture it: 2010, Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, me a zombie after flying 24 hours to be there (at the behest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, no less). Myself and the other bloggers—this was the days before the term “influencer” meant anything, you see—on a boat in the middle of the water, amid thousands of floating lanterns.
The bad news? Although I’ve experienced the festival many times since then, including in ancient Ayutthaya, I’ve yet to see the Chiang Mai floating lanterns. Or at least I hadn’t until a few weeks ago, when I finally experienced Loy Krathong (and similar, but not the same, Yi Peng) there.
The Difference Between Loy Krathong and Yi Peng
Many people think they want to attend Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai, but they actually want to attend Yi Peng. You see, while Loy Krathong (which sees the release of plant-and-flower based lanterns onto the surfaces of rivers and other bodies of water) has greater name recognition, Yi Peng is the name for the festival that sees paper lanterns released into the sky.
As a result, if you arrive in Chiang Mai and ask where you can enjoy Loy Krathong, staff at your hotel will send you (for example) to the shores of the Ping River. But while you’ll see plenty of “lanterns” being floated out onto the river, you won’t see a single paper lantern flying into the sky. That’s because these lanterns (and, as a result, the Yi Peng festival as a whole) have been banned from the center of Chiang Mai over air traffic concerns.
Where to See Lanterns in Chiang Mai
Ping River
If seeing the water lanterns of Loy Krathong is your highest priority, then simply walk east from Thapae Gate of the Old City Walls for about 20 minutes. This will take you to the shores of the Ping River, where thousands of people release their krathong into the water. Along the way you can buy street food, watch a parade and of course get a krathong if you don’t have one.
Nong Bua Pra Chao Luang Lake
If, on the other hand, you want to see the Chiang Mai sky lanterns, I recommend having your hotel or guest house arrange round-trip transport to Nong Bua Pra Chao Luang lotus lake. Located in Doi Saket just northeast of Chiang Mai’s city center, this atmospheric lake (there’s a stupa on the hill above it—what’s not to love?) sees thousands of people release lanterns into the sky, and it’s totally free!
Wat Pra Singh
These days, sky lantern releases are foribdden within the center of Chiang Mai. Still, an official Loy Krathong celebration (with some non-released lanterns, as well as some relatively stationary krathong) does take place at Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai’s most famous temple. On the Sunday after Loy Krathong, make sure and enjoy the Chiang Mai Walking Street, which sets up on Ratchadamnoen Road just east of the temple entrance.
Wat Phan Tao
Prior to coivd-19, Wat Phan Tao (which is just besides Wat Chedi Luang) was the premier place to enjoy Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, at least within the city center. The bad news? Seemingly as a result of the pandemic (which ended years ago, but I digress), monks at the temple have decided to cancel the lantern release entirely. The good news? They still do a candle-lighting ceremony, which is very beautiful.
Yi Peng Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival
Want to see sky lanterns and don’t mind paying for the privilege? There’s an argument to be made than an organized trip to the Khomloy Sky Festival is a worthwhile investment. These packages typically include round-trip transport. What’s more is that because the lantern release here takes place at a set time, the display that results is arguably more impressive than what you’d see at Nong Bua Pra Chao Luang or other free events.
Is Chiang Mai the Best Place in Thailand for Loy Krathong?
If your priority is seeing Yi Peng, then I’d say Chiang Mai is definitely the best place in the Kingdom to go for it. Well, Doi Saket—Chiang Mai, of course, bans the flying lanterns from its city center. While smaller celebrations occur in other parts of Thailand, the ones in the Chiang Mai area are the largest, most impressive and most atmospheric ones you can see.
If, on the other hand, you actually mean Loy Krathong when you say “Chiang Mai lantern festival,” then I think I’m a little more agnostic. The atmosphere in central Chiang Mai is undoubtedly special at this time of year, if only due to the number of temples and other sacred sites. On the other hand, the city gets crowded (and expensive!), which leads me to believe that other destinations (such as Sukhothai, or even Bangkok) are a better choice.
Other FAQ About Floating Lanterns in Chiang Mai
When is the Chiang Mai floating lantern festival in 2025?
Dates for Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are different each year, since they use the lunar calendar. Loy Krathong 2025 will be on November 5, while the festival will take place on November 23, 2026. Yi Peng is typically the day after Loy Krathong, though some Chiang Mai flying lanterns will lift off on the same night.
Where to release lanterns in Chiang Mai?
The best free place to release sky lanterns in Chiang Mai is at Pra Chao Luang Lake in Doi Saket near Chiang Mai, although there are paid festivals where more elaborate displays take place. To release krathong (aka water lanterns), simply walk to the shores of the Ping River, about 15-20 minutes to the east of the Thapae Gate of the Old City Walls.
Is the lantern festival in Chiang Mai worth it?
If you simply came to Chiang Mai to see Loy Krathong and/or Yi Peng and then left, I wouldn’t say that Loy Krathong was worth it. However, in combination with the magic of visiting Chiang Mai more generally, it’s an unforgettable experience that is worth its weight in gold.
The Bottom Line
Seeing the Chiang Mai floating lanterns is easy, so long as you pay attention to a few details. The first? Loy Krathong is based on the lunar calendar, not the solar one; the date is different each year. Secondly, although Loy Krathong (water lanterns) and Yi Peng (sky lanterns) occur within the same few days, they’re not one in the same. If you want to see sky lanterns, you’ll need to go outside Chiang Mai’s city center. Need personalized help putting the Northern Thailand portion of your trip together? I do hope you’ll consider commissioning a custom Thailand itinerary!
