Last updated on May 2nd, 2026 at 04:21 pm
The Iconic Sky Lantern Festivals In Chiang Mai, Thailand
Three different lantern festivals, one spectacular sky. A firsthand guide to the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong celebrations — with practical survival tips.
Major regulatory update: Since this article was written, sky lantern releases have been banned within the city of Chiang Mai — within a 5 km radius of the airport and across the Old City. Violations carry penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment and a 200,000 THB fine. Lanterns can now only be legally released at organized, ticketed events held outside the city at authorized venues.
2026 dates: The Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals are confirmed for November 24–25, 2026. Dates shift each year based on the Thai lunar calendar (the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month).
Ticketed events: The festival landscape has shifted from free/informal to primarily ticketed and organized. The main commercial event is now the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival, held about 35 km east of the city at the CAD Cultural Center Lanna, with tickets starting around 4,900 THB ($150+). Events at Tudongkhasathan near Maejo University (the venue described below) are also now ticketed. Free citywide celebrations — candle lighting at temples, floating krathong on the Ping River, and cultural performances — still occur, but the mass sky lantern releases require ticketed access at authorized venues outside the city.
The lantern launches begin around 8 pm. It is the most spectacular display of all the festivals in the area.
Chances are you've seen the iconic imagery of the bright orange sky lanterns surging through the night sky in Thailand. But where do you go and when to see them in person?
If you visit Chiang Mai, you're likely to hear about the annual lantern festivals occurring in October and November every year. This can be a source of confusion for many visitors. There's the huge event near Mae Jo (aka Maejo) University about 18 km north of Chiang Mai. Then, there are pay-for-view “tourist” events (different festivals) in Chiang Mai along the Ping River. That's because there are three lantern festivals. Here's where to go.
The 10,000+ Person Event
The last week in October every year features the “Lanna Robe Offering and Lantern Launching To Pay Homage To Lord Buddha.” This festival is the so-called festival “for the locals.” It features 10,000+ people and is an all-day affair. And we say “all-day,” because you must arrive 6–8 hours before the event to find a good spot on the festival grounds, if you want the best spot to flick pix and snag video.
The festival occurs at a temple about 2 miles to the eastern perimeter of the Maejo (sometimes written Mae Jo) University, in Mae Jo, Thailand. This town is about 18 km north of Chiang Mai. The temple is found off a narrow single-lane road about 2 miles to the east of Maejo University. The temple itself is located on a large plot of land featuring a huge fair-like ground about the size of 3 football fields.
Areas on the field are divided into squares about 4′ × 4′ in size. The posts demarking these squares contain candle bowls. The latter are used to place and light off the lanterns for display beginning around 8 pm.
This festival is so popular, that you'll need to arrive around 2:30–3:00 pm to find a parking spot and an area to sit in. And that's the first challenge. If you arrive THAT early, you'll spend the afternoon sitting or wandering around waiting for the festivities to start. Be sure to pick a spot in the shade!
The ceremonial activities at the temple begin around 4 pm and end after 8 pm. During this period, thousands of people arrive. By 8 pm, the grounds are a sea of people. You'll barely be able to move.
The lantern launches begin around 8 pm and last for about 30 minutes. It is the most spectacular display of all the festivals in the area.
Once the launchings end, you'll stand in line among wall-to-wall people trying to exit the area. This can take 2+ hours.
If You're A Tourist
Unless you love standing in huge crowds of people for 6–8 hours waiting for a 30-minute event, consider finding this place well in advance and a place to watch the launchings from a nearby mountain. We won't go through it again.
Now, if you are a Buddhist and there to experience the ceremonies, then you'll find the 6+ hours of activities an utter delight. The fields around the temple were replete with worshipers crying tears of joy during this event when we were there.
Directions
To find this place, drive north from Chiang Mai to Mae Jo. When you see the walls of Maejo University on your right, drive until you reach an area parallel where the northern perimeter wall is across the road from you. Make a U-turn. Drive in the opposite direction along the university wall. You'll note a narrow road off to your left running along the northern face. Turn there. Drive about 2 miles east. Go straight for about ¾ of a mile, then make a 45-degree turn to your right on the same road. You'll go another ½ mile and make a 45-degree turn to the left on the same road. You'll go another mile and approach a small bridge with a village just beyond it. Cross the bridge and turn an immediate left. You are now on the road where the temple is located. Proceed about ¼ of a mile to find a spot to park.
Link: facebook.com/LANNADHUTANKA
The Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival In Chiang Mai
Similar celebrations by worshipers from other temples around the Chiang Mai area are held during the third weeks of November. The biggest one is around November 20th. Every night during this period, the sky will be filled with lanterns. Fireworks and firecracker displays will illuminate the skies for 3 days.
Visitors can pay to watch events from restaurants along the Ping River in downtown Chiang Mai. Duke's Restaurant at Ping River (49/4-5 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road) is one option — Tom paid $100 at the time of his visit, which included parking, a meal, and refreshments. Duke's is still operating with multiple branches across Chiang Mai. (Note: Confirm current festival viewing packages and pricing directly with the restaurant, as arrangements may have changed.)
Lanterns float over Chiang Mai for 3 straight evenings during these festivals. And the launchings stem from areas all around the city. In fact, the international airport has historically been closed at night during this period because of the hazard posed to airplanes.
Important: As noted in the advisory above, the Thai government has progressively tightened restrictions on sky lantern releases in the city since 2015. Lanterns are now strictly prohibited within a 5 km radius of the airport and the Old City, with severe penalties for violations. The airport may still adjust operations during the festival, but mass lantern releases are now limited to authorized, ticketed venues outside the city.
Unless you want a close-up view of the launchings, your best bet is to find a tall building in Chiang Mai to observe the launchings all around the city.
Link: facebook.com/YeepengLanna.net
The most spectacular display you'll ever see
The lantern launches last about 30 minutes. They are worth every minute of the 6-hour wait — but only if you know which festival to attend, where to go, and what to expect. Plan ahead, buy tickets early, and bring a GoPro.
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