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There is often some confusion between Yee Peng – the sky lantern festival held in northern Thailand – and the Loy Krathong festival, which is celebrated throughout Thailand. Since both are held around the same time, visiting Chiang Mai in November will give you the opportunity to experience both of these inspiring festivals.
People often gather to make handmade krathong (floating baskets) from banana leaves, flowers, incense, and candles. These krathongs are then floated down the city's canals or on the Ping River as a ritual signifying the letting go of the old and welcoming the new.
Participants, including locals and tourists, are making krathong together.
Additionally, ready-made krathongs are sold in roadside shops for those who don't have the time or opportunity to make them themselves. These "floating baskets" on the river are beautifully crafted works of art, and if you're in Chiang Mai during this time, you should try to experience them at least once to understand how they're made and the Thai culture in festivals like the ones below.
Ready-made krathong are displayed along the roadside.
After acquiring a krathong, people often sit by the Ping River, whispering their prayers and wishes before releasing it into the water. It is believed that the wish will come true if the candle in the basket remains lit until it disappears from sight. If you pay attention, you might hear shouts of joy or sighs of relief if the candle on the krathong is still burning.
A young boy is preparing to release his krathong into the river.
These "baskets" float on the Ping River.
More simply, there are also less complicated krathongs made from just a piece of bamboo or banana stem with a candle stuck in it. Since Yee Peng is the Festival of Lights, the candle symbolizes moving from darkness into light, or shedding the old to joyfully welcome new beginnings.
A little girl is helping to light candles.
The "minimalist" krathongs are being prepared to be released into the river.
The Three Kings Monument is a central feature of the Yee Peng festival, with hundreds of lanterns on display, and is also the site of parades and ceremonies. There are also numerous food stalls offering traditional dishes throughout the city. You'll see colorful lanterns illuminating the streets and swaying in the breeze as the weather begins to cool.
A Thai woman is lighting lanterns at the Three Kings Monument.
Lanterns sway in the wind at the Three Kings Monument.
During the festival, the streets of Chiang Mai transform into a wonderland, sparkling with hundreds of candles placed outside shops and homes. Flowers are also commonly used to decorate the streets. People often stop to admire the spectacular sight, greet strangers, and take countless photos to capture the moments.
During the Yee Peng festival, another essential activity is visiting a local temple adorned with colorful lanterns and candles. Not only is it an ideal place to visit and reflect, but it also provides a perfect backdrop for visitors to capture stunning photographs.
A woman attending the ceremony is lighting candles.
During this festival of lights, the most anticipated and curious activity is the release of sky lanterns. Khom loy (sky lanterns) are released into the sky as a wish for good fortune. When a lantern inflates, those holding it make a wish and then release it into the sky, floating alongside thousands of other lanterns – a breathtaking spectacle that amazes everyone.
Yee Peng is a Buddhist festival that marks the change of seasons and is also about letting go of the old and welcoming new beginnings in people's lives. The festival is adapted from its Brahmanical origins and has close ties to the ancient Lanna Kingdom.
Monks light candles on an ancient stupa.
Four monks light candles outside a temple.
A monk is lighting candles at a temple.
Another unique aspect is that many festival participants wear traditional Lanna attire. The festival also features a parade at the tourist hotspot Tha Pae Gate, where the most beautiful Lanna costumes are showcased. The parade has a joyful, celebratory atmosphere and is well worth experiencing.
A woman dressed in Lanna clothing walks inside a temple.
Visitors will also encounter Novice monks meditating amidst a carpet of candles at Wat Phan Tao in the heart of the Old Town. This is a quintessential image of the Yee Peng festival in Chiang Mai. Monks don't usually venture out at night, but during Yee Peng, they too can join in and bask in the dazzling lights.
The monks sat and meditated surrounded by candles.
The Yee Peng Festival is held annually on the full moon of the 12th lunar month according to the Thai calendar, usually falling in November. If you decide to visit during this time, you should book your flights and accommodation early because it's a very popular festival and all services will increase in price and sell out quickly. Other towns in northern Thailand also celebrate Yee Peng, but nowhere can offer a more spectacular light festival experience than Chiang Mai.
