Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns Ultimate Guide!

Witness the magic of Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns with our ultimate guide!

Have you ever witnessed the night sky full of light, with thousands of lanterns drifting gently upwards? If not, the Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns is an experience you cannot miss. This enchanting event, also known as the Yi Peng Festival, coincides with the famous Loy Krathong festival. During this time, Chiang Mai transforms into a city of lights, where you'll witness hundreds, if not thousands, of lanterns released into the sky, creating a spectacular night scene.

History of the Yi Peng Festival (Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns)

The Yi Peng Festival, also known as the “Festival of the Second Month,” is a significant cultural event in the Lanna region (northern Thailand), held in Chiang Mai during the same period as the nationwide Loy Krathong festival. 

The term "Yi Peng" comes from the northern Thai language. "Yi" means the second month in the lunar calendar, and "Peng" means full moon day. Therefore, the Yi Peng Festival, or Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns, is celebrated on the full moon night of the second month of the lunar calendar, which is November in the Gregorian calendar.

The Yi Peng Festival is normally held over three days.

• Day 1: The first day is called “Wan Da.” This day is for preparing items for making merit at the temple.

• Day 2: On this day, people go to the temple to make merit. They also make a large Krathong at the temple grounds and place food in it to give alms to the poor.

• Day 3: On the last day, the large Krathong and individual small Krathongs will be floated on the river.

The most common activities during the Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns include lighting lamps to honor the Buddhas, releasing lanterns, lighting various types of fireworks, and making merit at the temple.

Things to Do Around Chiang Mai During the Lantern Festival

This year's Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns, also known as Yi Peng, is scheduled for November 15–16, 2024, so now is the best time to visit. During the festival, Chiang Mai comes alive with special events and activities. These are the things you just have to do when attending the Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns in the city.

1. Releasing Sky Lanterns

The release of thousands of sky lanterns is without a doubt the Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns' most spectacular event. It is believed that lighting lanterns on full moon nights draws auspicious energies and blessings for the new year. 

This event usually takes place at midnight near the Ping River, offering you the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking view of lanterns drifting gently over the night sky.

However, releasing sky lanterns can be quite dangerous. Chiang Mai province has established regulations and controls for releasing sky lanterns in monitored areas, especially near airports, to prevent lanterns from getting caught in airplanes or falling into residential areas. Additionally, caution should be exercised to ensure that the lanterns do not ignite flammable materials.

2. Krathong Making and Floating 

There’s no Loy Krathong without the Krathong. Experiencing the tradition of making Krathongs, small decorative floats usually made from banana leaves, flowers, and candles, is surely a must-do activity you should try when traveling during the festival. These are floated on the river as offerings to the Goddess of Water and to symbolize letting go of negativity.

Krathong-making activities can be found throughout the Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns, or you can simply buy a Krathong from various stalls in the city and float them on any provided areas available. 

3. Visit the Temple and Making Merit

There are a lot of temples in the city of Chiang Mai. The Chiang Mai Festival of Lanterns is one of the best times to visit the temples as they are usually beautifully decorated and host special ceremonies. 

Chiang Mai’s most respected temples are such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Take a moment to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Buddhist Northern-style temples and set your mind at ease.

4. Eat Traditional Khantoke Dinner 

Apart from the lantern festival, take this opportunity to immerse yourself even more in the culture with a traditional dinner called Khantoke. 

Khantoke dinners are not only a culinary experience but also an opportunity to experience the hospitality of Lanna. It's also a great way to sample a variety of local dishes while enjoying entertaining performances. 

Many restaurants in Chiang Mai offer Khantoke dinner packages, served in small bowls and plates. These dishes often include a variety of curries, stir-fries, salads, and traditional snacks like crispy pork rinds and sticky rice.

Khum Khantoke Chiang Mai is one of the restaurants where you can get the Khantoke dinner. It is a large and beautiful Northern Thai-style restaurant that is extremely popular in Chiang Mai, attracting both tourists and locals.

5. Visit Warorot Market (Kad Luang) for Shopping and Street Foods

Warorot Market, locally called Kad Luang, is one of Chiang Mai's oldest and largest 3-stories in-door markets. Here you can shop at countless stalls and vendors selling a wide variety of goods, including fruits, flowers, and fresh products. You can also find clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs at reasonable prices. 

There are also numerous authentic Northern Thai cuisine and street food at the market. Try local specialties like Khao Soi (northern curry noodle soup), Sai Ua (northern Thai sausage), Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiao (rice vermicelli noodles with northern style curry), and Nam Phrik Ong (spicy northern Thai pork and tomato).  

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