Yi Peng Lantern Festival Chiang Mai 2026: Dates, Tickets & Where to See It
Imagine standing in the warm night air of Chiang Mai as thousands of soft, orange lights slowly float up into the clear sky. The murmur of the crowd turns into collective awe as the entire night sky transforms into a sea of glowing lanterns, reflecting the magic and deeply spiritual Lanna traditions of northern Thailand.
It is an unforgettable sight that draws travellers from all over the world, but planning your experience requires knowing where to go. For 2026, there are several key venues around Chiang Mai offering ticketed mass lantern releases—each with its own distinct atmosphere, dates, and inclusions.
This guide sets out the confirmed 2026 dates for each one and compares the three side by side, so you can pick the one that suits your trip rather than the first link you find. Read the dates section carefully: they do not all run on the same nights.
What Yi Peng Is, and How It Differs from Loy Krathong
While both festivals take place at the same time, one releases light into the sky while the other sends it floating down the river.
Yi Peng is a Lanna festival specific to northern Thailand, celebrated by releasing Khom Loy (paper sky lanterns) into the night air as a symbol of letting go of misfortune and sending wishes upward. Loy Krathong, celebrated nationwide, centers on floating small decorated baskets made with banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense on the water to pay respect to the water goddess. Because both overlap on the same full moon, Chiang Mai is the rare place where you can experience lanterns in the sky and floating lights on the river on the exact same nights.
One practical note for first-timers: releasing sky lanterns is restricted inside central Chiang Mai due to the airport flight path. The mass lantern releases seen in photographs take place at organized ticketed venues outside the main city center on specific dates.
Yi Peng 2026 Festival Dates
The citywide Loy Krathong and Yi Peng celebrations run across 23-25 November 2026, peaking on the full-moon night of Tuesday 24 November, with parades along Ratchadamnoen Road, krathong floating near Nawarat Bridge, and candlelit ceremonies at the old-city temples. The ticketed festivals sit inside that window, but each runs its own schedule. Check the date against the venue before you book flights.
San Pa Tong: 24 and 25 November 2026
Experience the full scale of a traditional Lanna festival at this spacious open-air venue, where thousands of sky lanterns light up the night alongside vibrant cultural performances. Because the event runs on both nights, you can book your San Pa Tong Yi Peng 2026 ticket for whichever date fits your travel schedule best. Shuttle departures for Standard and VIP tickets leave CMU Convention Hall in a window between roughly 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM on a first-come basis; Premium and Elite tickets include round-trip hotel transfers instead. Budget most of the day for it the experience runs around nine hours door to door.
Ping River: 24 and 25 November 2026
Experience the magic of hundreds of floating candles reflecting off the water, offering a classic riverside setting where you can celebrate both Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in one place. With options available across both nights, you can choose whichever date suits your schedule best at booking. Check-in is at The Pantip Lifestyle Hub on Chang Khlan Road between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM, and transfers run continuously from the hub across that window, with the last departure at 4:30 PM. Total duration is around six to seven hours, so you are back in the city earlier than the San Pa Tong option.
Heritage Doi Saket: 24 November 2026 only
From the moment you step through the traditional Lanna entrance gates, the San Pa Tong grounds submerge you in an authentic festival atmosphere, wandering through vibrant craft markets and enjoying local food stalls before settling into the open-air arena for the quiet blessing ceremony and the grand, synchronized lantern release. Check-in is at Chiang Mai Railway Station Park between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, with shuttles running out to the venue continuously from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Expect five to six hours in total.
Choose Your Yi Peng Experience: San Pa Tong vs Ping River vs Doi Saket
All three deliver the same core moment: a mass release of Khom Loy after dark, alongside dinner, workshops, and a cultural programme. What separates the San Pa Tong festival grounds, the Ping River venue, and the Doi Saket Heritage event is scale, setting, and how much of the evening is structured for you.
San Pa Tong Yi Peng Festival: The Full Lanna Festival Grounds
From the moment you step through the traditional Lanna entrance gates, the San Pa Tong grounds submerge you in an authentic festival atmosphere, wandering through vibrant craft markets and enjoying local food stalls before settling into the open-air arena for the quiet blessing ceremony and the grand, synchronized lantern release.
Atmosphere & Venue: Purpose-built festival grounds featuring an entry gate modeled after Chiang Mai’s ancient city walls, operating as a Lanna fair with craft workshops and souvenirs.
- Inclusions: Includes a traditional clay candle set for the blessing ritual and 3 sky lanterns per paid ticket.
- Ticket Tiers & Dining:
- Standard: Kad Mua-style Lanna market dining setup.
- VIP: Standard layout with an upgraded buffet dining setup.
- Premium: Cushioned seating with a premium buffet.
- Elite: Food-truck style dining setup.
- Transport: Standard and VIP use shuttle services; Premium and Elite include round-trip hotel transfers.
Ping River: Lanterns and Krathong on the Same Night
As hundreds of illuminated krathongs drift gently along the Ping River, thousands of sky lanterns light up the night sky, offering a mesmerizing experience with the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival Ping River 2026, where two iconic Lanna traditions come together in a single evening.
- Atmosphere & Experience: Offers a complete, romantic two-festival experience, allowing guests to float a krathong and release sky lanterns on the same evening.
- Inclusions: Includes round-trip bus/van transport, a Thai dinner, DIY handicraft workshops, souvenirs, and a shorter 6–7-hour duration.
- Ticket Tiers:
– Standard & VIP: 2 sky lanterns and 1 krathong.
– Premium: 3 sky lanterns, 1 krathong, and a 20-minute Thai foot massage.
Heritage Doi Saket: Smaller, Riverside, One Night Only
Set along the peaceful banks of Pang Fan Rock n River in Doi Saket, the Chiang Mai Heritage Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2026 lets you experience the magic of Yi Peng at a gentler, more soothing pace, surrounded by lush green hills, soft riverside breezes, and acoustic music.
- Atmosphere & Venue: Held for one night only at Pang Fan Rock n River in Doi Saket; offers an intimate riverside setting surrounded by hills with live music and cultural performances.
- Inclusions: Traditional Thai buffet with snacks, soft drinks, and interactive workshops.
- Ticket Tiers & Pricing: Starts at ฿5,000
(highest starting price of the three, prioritizing a smaller crowd).
– Gold: 2 sky lanterns.
– VIP Gold: 3 sky lanterns, upgraded viewing zone, and minivan transfer.
What to Wear and Bring
Late November in Chiang Mai is the best weather of the year: dry, warm afternoons around 28-30°C, and evenings that drop into the high teens once you are out of the city and near water. Every venue involves waiting outdoors after dark, so the single most common mistake is dressing for the afternoon you left in.
What to Wear
- Clothing: Bring a light jacket, wrap, or long-sleeve shirt for the cooler evening air during the lantern release.
- Footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes that can get dirty, as festival grounds are unpaved open land.
- Attire Style: Traditional Lanna dress is welcome and widely worn, but strictly optional.
- Safety Precaution: Avoid loose, flowing, or synthetic clothing near open flames and crowded lantern-lighting areas.
What to Bring
Essential Items
- Tickets: A printed or offline digital copy of your booking confirmation to bypass local mobile network congestion.
- Payment: Small cash notes for food stalls and extras (card payments are not universally accepted).
- Prohibited Items Notice: Do not bring drones, fireworks, firecrackers, or outside sky lanterns (only venue-provided lanterns are permitted).
Comfort & Extra Items
- Electronics: A fully charged power bank, as heavy photo and video recording drains batteries quickly.
- Personal Care: Mosquito repellent, especially for riverside settings.
FAQ
The festival takes place from 23–25 November 2026, with the peak full-moon night on 24 November. San Pa Tong and Ping River events run on 24–25 November, while Heritage Doi Saket takes place on 24 November only.
Free lantern releases are not permitted in the city center due to flight path safety regulations. Public gatherings with free lanterns occur around Tha Phae Gate on peak night, but all large-scale mass lantern releases are ticketed events outside the city.
Booking early is recommended as ticketed venues have limited capacity and top tiers sell out quickly. Accommodations and flights in Chiang Mai also fill up fast during festival dates.
Yes, though venue rules apply. Children under 7 can enter free at most ticketed venues without separate lanterns, while those aged 7 and above require an adult ticket. Note that heavy crowds, live music, and fireworks may overwhelm sound-sensitive infants.
Making It a Full Chiang Mai Trip
Yi Peng takes over one evening, not the whole trip. Once you have set your daytime plans, like visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with a Doi Suthep Temple Tour with Hmong Village from Chiang Mai, all that’s left is choosing your festival evening:
- San Pa Tong: Large-scale festival grounds with mass releases and four ticket tiers.
- Ping River: Experience sky lanterns and floating krathongs together in a single night.
- Doi Saket Heritage: A single-night gathering along a secluded riverbank with a gentler rhythm.
Tickets for all three venues sell out quickly. Book your Yi Peng 2026 tickets early to secure your spot and start planning the rest of your Chiang Mai trip.