Yi Peng and Loy Krathong: Thailand's Twin Festivals of Light
Lanterns drift into a velvet sky, candles set water alive, incense curls around temple eaves, and drums tap out a heartbeat you feel in your feet. On the full moon of the 12th lunar month, Thailand glows.
In 2025, major celebrations gather on November 5–6, when Chiang Mai and cities nationwide mark Yi Peng (northern Thailand's lantern festival) alongside Loy Krathong (the floating-offerings festival). Plan for crowds, ceremony, and a luminous atmosphere that’s as much about community and reflection as it is about spectacle.
What Are Yi Peng and Loy Krathong?
The two festivals share a date but differ in origin and expression.
Yi Peng (ยี่เป็ง)
Rooted in the Lanna traditions of northern Thailand, Yi Peng centers on the release of khom loi — paper sky lanterns that rise on warm air. “Yi” means “two,” and “peng” is “full moon day” in the old Lanna calendar. Releasing a lantern is a ritual of letting go — of mistakes, resentments, and fear — and inviting clarity, compassion, and good fortune.
In Chiang Mai, the former Lanna capital, the city dresses in paper lanterns strung across streets, courtyards, and temple gates.
Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง)
Celebrated nationwide, Loy Krathong is an offering to water. Krathongs — small, ornate floats traditionally made from slices of banana trunk, banana leaves, flowers, and candles — are set adrift on rivers, lakes, and ponds. Many add incense sticks, a candle, and a token coin.
The act blends Hindu and Buddhist influences: gratitude for life-giving water and a gentle “washing away” of the past year’s misfortune.
Couples often craft and float their krathongs together; families guide children to the water’s edge.
The result is a visual duet: lanterns rising to the heavens while a thousand flickers eddy downstream.
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Chiang Mai: Heartland of Yi Peng
If you want to feel the Lanna roots of Yi Peng, come to Chiang Mai. The Old City's moat doubles reflections of lantern chains strung from tamarind trees. Temple courtyards glow with handmade khom fai (decorative lanterns), and monks preside over merit-making ceremonies.
Cultural Pulse
Releasing a sky lantern is a quiet, communal moment. Locals often write a wish on the paper before lighting the fuel cell. Families pause, hands steady, until the lantern tugs upward — a star among stars.
Where the City Gathers
- Tha Phae Gate and its nearby lanes become corridors of lanterns and food stalls.
- Bridges over the Ping River — especially Narawat and Iron Bridge — offer prime Loy Krathong views.
- Temples inside the Old City host ceremonies and hang intricate lanterns — wander slowly and step aside for processions.
Soundtrack and Color
Traditional Lanna music mixes with street drums and the crackle of firecrackers. Expect parades, cultural performances, and a swirl of white, gold, and saffron robes against the shimmer of candlelight.
The Soul of Loy Krathong: Water, Thanks, and Renewal
Loy Krathong’s mood is tender and reflective. At dusk, people kneel by river steps or lakeside banks to light candles and incense, palms together in a wai as they whisper wishes.
Where to Float
- Chiang Mai – The Ping River is the main stage; the moat offers calmer waters.
- Bangkok – Float krathongs on the Chao Phraya River or in public parks like Lumphini, Benjakitti, and Rama IX.
- Sukhothai – Historic ponds reflect ancient stupas lit with candles and krathongs.
Materials Matter
Choose biodegradable krathongs — banana trunk, leaves, flowers, or bread. Keep them small and simple; the gesture matters more than the size.
2025 Dates and What to Expect
- When: Full moon on November 6, 2025; celebrations on November 5–6
- Atmosphere: Evenings filled with lanterns, river lights, fairs, and fireworks
- Weather: Cool and dry, with light evening breezes — ideal festival conditions
Where to Experience the Festivals
Chiang Mai (Yi Peng + Loy Krathong)
Highlights: Lantern-draped temples, thronging bridges, and parades through Tha Phae Gate. Practicalities: Streets close to traffic; use permitted lantern zones and respect safety advisories.
Bangkok (Loy Krathong)
Highlights: Chao Phraya River and serene canals; parkside events with music and craft stations. Practicalities: Use public transport; parks and piers can be crowded.
Sukhothai (Loy Krathong)
Highlights: Sukhothai Historical Park illuminated under the full moon. Practicalities: Arrive early; tickets may be required for performances inside the park.
Across Thailand
Where there’s water, there’s Loy Krathong: from small-town ponds to provincial lakes, each community adds its own music, parades, or folk art traditions.
How the Nights Unfold
Late Afternoon: Markets and temples come alive. Dusk: Families light their first lanterns, couples float krathongs. Full Moon: Lanterns climb skyward as the river glows. Late Night: Crowds thin, food stalls stay open, and quiet reflection takes over.
Etiquette and Cultural Context
- Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees).
- Remove shoes before entering temple areas.
- Avoid fireworks or lanterns near trees, temples, or buildings.
- Ask before photographing monks or private rituals.
- Support community causes through small donations.
Responsible Celebrating
Lanterns
Releases may be regulated, especially near airports. Only launch lanterns in authorized zones.
Krathongs
Use natural, biodegradable materials only. Avoid foam or plastic. Remove metal pins after floating.
Drones & Waste
Follow local drone restrictions. Use provided bins and recycling points.
Practical Tips for Travelers
- Timing: Arrive before sunset for the best light and fewer crowds.
- Vantage Points: Bridges and river bends offer prime views.
- Photography: Use long exposures, no flash, and mind candle flames.
- Transport: Walk, cycle, or use public transit.
- Safety: Crowds, candles, and water demand awareness.
- Health: Bring masks if sensitive to smoke; earplugs for fireworks.
- Accessibility: Riverside parks often provide the best accessible options.
What It Costs
- Krathongs: 40–200 THB depending on size and materials
- Lanterns: Prices vary; use certified ones in safety-approved zones
Tip: Some ticketed mass lantern releases occur around Chiang Mai — confirm details and permits in advance.
A Note on Origins
Loy Krathong’s roots intertwine Hindu reverence for Ganga, Buddhist concepts of merit and renewal, and Sukhothai-era traditions. Today, it embodies Thai community spirit: gratitude, forgiveness, and continuity.
Food and Street Life
Festival nights double as open-air picnics. In the North: khao soi, sai ua, grilled pork, and coconut pancakes. In Bangkok: khanom buang, coconut ice cream, and colorful luk chup sweets.
Carry small change — vendors appreciate quick exchanges in the crowd.
If You Go Only Once
Experience both sky and water:
- In Chiang Mai, join temple lantern releases, then place a krathong on the Ping River.
- In Bangkok, float in a park then stroll the riverside.
- In Sukhothai, watch krathongs glide past ancient ruins — time slows to candlelight.
Essential Checks Before You Go
- Confirm schedules, parades, and lantern regulations.
- Book accommodation early near Old City Chiang Mai, riverside Bangkok, or Sukhothai Park.
- Pack a lighter, reusable bottle, mini rain cover, and cloth bag.
- Celebrate with care — leave no trace.
In a country rich with festivals, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong stand apart for their harmony of public spectacle and private reflection.
Whether shoulder to shoulder on a Chiang Mai bridge or kneeling by a Bangkok pond, the impulse is the same: set something down, send something up, and watch light carry it onward.
