Expect to experience two magical festivals in one when you visit Thailand this month.
The holidays are upon us, and for many travelers, this means booking a flight out of the country and enjoying various festivities around the globe. If you’re looking to do something that would add sparkle to this magic-filled season, then the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Thailand should be your next stop.
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is one of Thailand’s most popular celebrations and has been enchanting tourists from different parts of the world for many years. Also known as Yee Peng, the festival is celebrated in Northern Thailand, with its largest city, Chiang Mai, serving as the focal point and perfect backdrop for the breathtaking spectacle.
“Yi Peng” is derived from two words in the Northern Thai language. “Yi” means “two” or, in this case, “second,” while “Peng” translates to “full moon day.” That is why the festival is celebrated on the full moon day in the second month of the Thai lunar calendar, which usually falls in November.
Tourists flock to Chiang Mai in November as thousands of lanterns float upward and illuminate the night sky, creating a mesmerizing spectacle above the city. Adding more magic are the fireworks display and other colorful activities in the city that altogether showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Thai culture.
It is set to take place from November 15 to 16 this year and November 5 to 6 in 2025. So, if you’re planning to visit Thailand this November or next year, read on to know why it’s worth joining the breathtaking Yi Peng Lantern at least once in your lifetime.
A festival of hope
In Chinese culture, lanterns symbolize good fortune and positive energy. And while Thailand is not part of China, the majority of its population is of Chinese descent. The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is then believed to be a celebration of many things, including good fortune.
It started in the Lanna Kingdom which lasted from the 13th to 18th centuries, with Chiang Mai as its last capital. At that time, the festival marked the end of the rainy season and the start of harvest time. Sending the lanterns up into the sky was a celebration of the new season and a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest that would support their communities.
Then and until now, people believe that lighting up and releasing lanterns into the sky would help them let go of negative emotions and attract a bright future. Photo: yipengchiangmailanternfestival.com
In addition, the Yi Peng Festival is held yearly to pay homage to Buddha. In Buddhism, lighting the lantern is a symbol of honoring Buddha, while releasing it into the sky means moving away from darkness and into a bright future.
It’s a practice that is deeply spiritual for some, allowing them to let go of their worries and make wishes for a prosperous future. Over the years, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival has become a major cultural and religious event in Thailand.
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A showcase of Thailand’s vibrant culture
The Yi Peng Festival features many activities besides its floating lantern celebration. In the two-to-three-day event, expect the whole of Chiang Mai to be festive as its houses, buildings, and temples are decorated with bright-colored flags, lanterns, and phang pradeep (earthenware or clay lamps).
The event is livened up with parades, traditional dance performances, and music shows. Stalls selling popular Thai street food are found across the city, and streets are filled with energy from the sounds of firecrackers.
Excitement fills the air when participants begin to light paper lanterns, or khom loy, and release them into the night sky. People would usually write their hopes, dreams, and wishes on these lanterns—crafted from rice paper and bamboo frames—to release their worries and pray for a good future.
These massive lantern releases are held in several locations in the city except for the downtown area of Chiang Mai because of safety concerns. They are then held on the outskirts of the city, such as the globally famous Chiang Mai CAD event that takes place at On Klang in the Mae On district.
For this year, entrance to the event costs THB4,600 (PHP7,800) to THB 6,4000 (PHP10,800), inclusive of two lanterns, one krathong (floating decorated basket), dinner buffet, and a round-trip transfer from More Space or Maya Shopping Mall. You can book your tickets here.
Apart from this, thousands of lanterns are released at the Nawarat Bridge and the Wat Phan Tao temple, where you’ll also witness traditional Buddhist ceremonies and cultural performances.
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Loy Krathong Festival
The Yi Peng Festival coincides with the Loy Krathong Festival, which give you a chance to take part in two of Thailand’s festivals in just one visit. The latter, though, is celebrated throughout the country and features krathong, or floating lantern, rather than flying lamps.
The tradition goes back to an ancient harvest festival that honors the water goddess Khongkha. At that time, villagers would release floating lanterns filled with flowers, incense, and candles as a way of expressing gratitude for the past year, asking for forgiveness, letting go of negative emotions, and wishing for good fortune.
During the festival, people would gather and release floating lanterns in ponds, rivers, and canals around Thailand. One of the most famous spots is the Ping River in Chiang Mai as well as the waters of Nakhon Phanom and Tak provinces.
With all these and more, both the Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals prove to be a fun, unforgettable way to celebrate the holidays and discover the vibrant culture and energy of Thailand.
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