Picture thousands of brightly colored lanterns taking off into the night sky as the rivers sparkled with candle-lit baskets floating downstream. It sounds like the most magical Disney-like scene, does...
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October 9, 2025
Picture thousands of brightly colored lanterns taking off into the night sky as the rivers sparkled with candle-lit baskets floating downstream. It sounds like the most magical Disney-like scene, does not it? Well, it is real! Each November, Thailand celebrates the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. It is scheduled for November 5th and 6th, 2025, with the primary release of sky lanterns happening in Chiang Mai. The same week the Loy Krathong Festival (the floating lantern festival) will be brightening rivers all across Thailand. These are simply the most magical nights within your Thailand tour packages, with the perfect marriage of spirituality, community, and a little piece of fairytale.
Whether you wish to light up the skies in Chiang Mai or send a krathong down the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, this is your complete plan. From the dates to the tickets, we have included everything you need. And yes, if you’re booking with WanderOn, this will be the easiest lantern-filled experience of your life.
Guide to Thailand Lantern Festival 2025
In summary, here is a brief overview of the Lantern Festival in Thailand scheduled for 2025:
Dates: 5th and 6th of November 2025.
Key Locations: Chiang Mai (Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival).
Possibly other locations: Bangkok (Chao Phraya River), Sukhothai (Historical Park), or Ayutthaya (temple ruins and riversides).
Activities: lantern release, float procession, cultural activities, Lanna-style buffet dinner, parades and fireworks.
RESERVATIONS: Make sure to book your Lantern Festival Thailand tickets in advance (even more so, if you intend on going to the official ceremony Chiang Mai).
When is the Lantern Festival in Thailand in 2025?
The Lantern Festival in Thailand is scheduled for November 5–6, 2025. Both nights will feature the same schedule, including major lantern releasing, cultural shows, and ceremonies.
Main Location: Chiang Mai (Yi Peng sky lantern release).
Nationally: The floating lantern festival of Loy Krathong will be taking place across Thailand in Bangkok, Sukhothai, and Ayutthaya, along with smaller towns.
Best Day: You should attend on the 5th for the official Yi Peng ceremony. Pro tip: You’re going to want to keep the 6th open for parades at Tha Pae Road and Nawarat Bridge.
What is the Difference Between Yi Peng and Loy Krathong?
Yi Peng (Sky Lantern Festival Thailand):
Observed chiefly in Chiang Mai (North Thailand).
Thousands of paper lanterns, or khom loy, are released into the sky.
Represents letting go of bad luck and making merit.
Loy Krathong (Floating Lantern Festival):
Observed throughout Thailand.
Foliage-shaped, candlelit baskets (krathongs) made from banana leaves float down rivers.
To thank the goddess of water and to make forgiveness.
Full Itinerary: Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2025
If you also plan on heading to the Sky Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, here’s what your day will be like. Follow this step-by-step itinerary (and yes, it does feel like a real-life fairytale with some tasty snacks along the way).
Yi Peng Festival 2025 Itinerary (November 5–6):
1. 13:00 – Arrive & Meet-up
Proceed to the Payap University PIH Student Dormitory. (This is the official meeting location and do not be late, the lanterns won’t wait for you!)
2. 13:00 – 17:00 – Shuttle Transfers
Shuttle buses will depart every 5min from the meeting location to the main venue.
3. 14:00-18:00 – Check-in and Explore
Present your e-ticket, pick-up your souvenir, and enjoy cultural activities such as the Tribal Village and Loy Krathong floating, light snacks available.
4. 17:30-19:00 – Buffet Dinner
Enjoy a traditional Thai Lanna buffet with desserts and non-alcoholic drinks.
5. 19:10–20:15 – Cultural Ceremony
Observe a monk prayer ceremony, drum and candle performance, and other religious practices at the Great Pagoda.
6. 20:15 — Lantern Release & Fireworks
A wonderful moment: send your lanterns into the night sky alongside thousands of others.
7. 20:45 – Return Shuttle
Return to the city and can drop off at either Maya Shopping Mall or the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
Lantern Festival Thailand Tickets 2025
Tickets go fast! They’re more difficult to acquire than street food in Thailand at midnight. Here’s a brief overview:
Lanterns: Two lanterns per person that are already on your seat
Krathong: One kratong for floating at the Loy Krathong Floating Zone
Enjoy activities and shows inside the ceremony area.
All ticket types include shuttle transfer from Payap University PIH Student Dormitory to the venue and drop-off return at either Maya Shopping Mall or Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
What is the Best Time to Visit Thailand for the Lantern Festival?
The optimal month for Lantern Festival Thailand is in November at the time of the full moon of the 12th lunar month. In 2025, this will be on November 5 & 6. Chiang Mai is the most well-known destination, but mostly all of the other cities and towns have local versions, local experiences.
The weather is cool in the evenings and less humid — excellent for celebrating outside.
Festival Spirit: The streets, rivers, and temples are decorated with numerous lanterns everywhere you see.
Extra: You can also get to enjoy the nightlife in Thailand at this time the buzz is more energetic and everything feels that much more festive.
Things to Do at Lantern Festival Thailand
You will not only want to see the lanterns flying into the sky when you visit the Lantern Festival in Thailand. Here are the activities you should make sure to join in on or see:
Tribal Village Experience – This is an opportunity for you to learn all about local Lanna culture, traditional crafts, and performances. It is an opportunity to understand the heritage of northern Thailand.
Loy Krathong Floating Ceremony – You will launch your krathong (small banana-leaf basket with candles and incenses in it) into the water. This is for letting go of the misfortunes of the past and making merit.
Cultural Shows – You can view traditional Thai dances, drum and candle shows, and ceremonial chanting by monks. These may all give you an inside into the spiritual significance of the festival.
Lantern Release Ceremony – You have the Yi Peng highpoint – you may release your khom loy lantern up into the sky concluding the ceremony as a participant in an experience that makes merit and a purification experience.
Local Cuisine – You can ingest local Thai dishes and snacks – introducing to tonal cooking of northern Thailand.
By participating in these experiences you will have a deeper and more rich experience of the spiritual, cultural, and visual splendor of the festival.
Things to Know About Lantern Festival
Understanding the background and customs of the Lantern Festival in Thailand enhances your experience and ensures respectful participation.
Why is the Lantern Festival in Thailand Celebrated?
The origin of Lantern Festival is traced back to the Lanna Kingdom in Northern Thailand. Originally Yi Peng was a merit-making ritual linked to Buddhist connections, whereas Loy Krathong is thought to have Hindu origins. Over time, the two festivals became one national celebration of gratitude, renewal, and cultural togetherness, as a way of thanking the water goddess for the year ’s resources.
The two festivals are similar traditions, spanning back centuries, and consist of spiritual rituals, community gatherings, and cultural displays of art. The acts of lighting the lanterns and floating the krathongs are both merit and blessing acts that connect you to the ancient and rich cultural history of Thailand.
Practical Tips for Lantern Festival:
Make sure to arrive early to get a good spot for viewing.
Utilize the shuttle services offered by the festival (especially from Payap University to the festival site!).
Bring basic items such as water and light snacks.
Make sure to book tickets in advance as highly suggested, especially at the official Yi Peng ceremony in Chiang Mai.
Wear clothing that is modest, respectful, etc.
Refrain from wearing revealing clothing or inappropriate footwear.
Many people wear traditional Thai clothing to honor the occasions.
Please handle lanterns and krathongs with care.
Do not let your lanterns fly next to trees or power lines, or on top of or near people.
Be respectful during the ceremonies, and refrain from being loud or disruptive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festivals?
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are Thailand’s famous lantern festivals celebrated together. Yi Peng involves releasing sky lanterns, while Loy Krathong features floating candlelit baskets on water.
2. When will Yi Peng and Loy Krathong be celebrated in 2025?
In 2025, the festivals are expect to take place in November, aligning with the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month.
3. Where are the best places to experience the Lantern Festival?
The best spots include Chiang Mai for Yi Peng and Bangkok, Sukhothai, and Chiang Rai for Loy Krathong celebrations.
4. Do I need tickets to attend the Yi Peng Lantern Release?
Yes, certain lantern release events—especially in Chiang Mai—require tickets that can be book online in advance.
5. Can tourists participate in the Lantern Festival?
Tourists are welcome to join, but it’s advised to book early and follow local traditions respectfully.
