Thailand Lantern Festivals, also known as the Thai Festivals of Lights, refer to two festivals in Thailand: Yi Peng Festival (also written as Yee Peng) and Loy Krathong Festival (also written as Loi Krathong). Both these festivals are known for creating beautiful displays of lights and take place on the same day.
Quick Facts about Thailand Lantern Festivals
- During the lantern festivals in Thailand, you will see two iconic scenes: swarms of sky lanterns flying into the night's sky — that is Yi Peng Lantern Festival; thousands of lotus-shaped baskets with candles and flowers floating on the rivers at night — that is Loy Krathong Festival.
- The two Thai lantern festivals usually occur on the full moon day in November. In 2024, Loy Krathong will take place on November 16 and Yi Peng will take place on November 15–16.
- Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide while Yi Peng is only celebrated in northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Mai is the only place where you can see both Thailand's lantern festivals on the same day.
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Ms Bella is very prompt and helpful
Ms Bella is very prompt and helpful in answering to my queries. Well done. Also thanks to Asia Highlights for awarding my winning ticket. MoreLM Hang, Sept. 2022
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We bought 10 tickets for latern
We bought 10 tickets for latern festival, at the end airline rescheduled our flight. We are so upset and no choice have to give up latern festival schedule and proceed for refund. Bella is the sales person that liase with us, she did a very good job, help us proceed for refund. She is responsive and reliable. MoreJolie Tan, Sept. 2022
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Really excellent service!!
Really excellent service!! they still had an allocation of tickets available for the Yi Peng festival when other sellers had already run out. highly recommended MoreDavid Shackcloth, Sept. 2022
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Excellent Customer Service
Bella at Asia Highlights was very helpful to me. After I placed my order for the Lantern Festival I'm Chiang Mai a friend decided to possibly come join me. Bella responded right away and stated she would hold a ticket for her and then would exchange mine original seat for one next to hers! So amazing and now I get to experience this once in a lifetime event with my bestie. MoreDawn Malbon, Sept. 2022
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Valuable customer service
I booked a ticket for Yipeng festival in Chiangmai in Nov 2022 and I was supported by Bella Liu. Appreciate your customer service when the girl answer all my queries promptly and gently, even when I canceled the transaction because of my mistakes. If I have a change, I would recommend your side to my friend! MoreThu Thanh, Sept. 2022
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Highly recommended by a friend
Highly recommended by a friend who had used their services before. They have proven to be efficient and responsive in getting me answers to my NUMEROUS questions as this is my first time visiting this Yi Peng Festival. I hope they will not disappoint during my visit!! MorePaul Ang, Oct. 2022
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The process seemed seamless
Bella is was my agent assisting with my ticket for the festival. However, I was unable to make it there. And made the process seemed seamless. Thank you for your help. MoreLovely one, Oct. 2022
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Highly recommend Asia Highlights
I would highly recommend Asia Highlights as a company. We booked tickets with them for the chiang mai lantern festival. They offered the lowest prices compared to all the other websites we looked at (a 10% reduction), the process was fast and efficient. They stay in touch and respond fast and answer all questions. Then when one of our members cancelled, they issued a refund with no questions asked. Great service from Bella Liu! MoreZohail Qazi, Oct. 2022
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Helpful and making my trip planning easy
Belle is very professional in helping me to decide on what I can do as a solo traveller. She is very helpful and making my trip planning easy. Your trip to Thailand already feel good even at the planning stage. MoreAngelane Eng, Oct. 2022
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Thank you Iris Wang & Bella Liu…
MI am very grateful that Iris Wang reached out to me this morning to check on my inquiry. I thought "no hope" in getting the tickets to Yee Peng Festival organize by CAD. Fortunately, together with Bella Liu, I managed to secure all our tickets. No one left behind. This trip to Chiang Mai will be a memorable one. Iris & Bella, you've made my day. Thank you much! MoreLittle Puppy, Oct. 2022
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Very accommodating and helpful
Bella was super helpful in getting my ticket to the Yi Peng festival exchanged and was very accommodating. Quick and easy transaction and received ticket within 24 hours. Good communication throughout the process. Asia Highlights as a whole is also very informative and contains helpful advice that has helped me plan my travels in Thailand. MoreHelen Powell, Nov. 2022
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The experience was great!
I had booked Chiang Mai Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival with Asia Highlight Travel, my travel advisor was Bella Kiu, the experience was great, got my tickets , communication was seamless. They created a WhatsApp group , that was my 1st experience with online booking, I was so excited until I saw a WhatsApp someone looking forward to get to Chiang Mai, OMG I realised that's another city far away where we were holidaying. I contacted Bella, explain my challenge. I must say she values money and arranged my refund. Thanks Bella I will definitely attend this Festival in the coming years and will book with your agent. Great customer experience indeed, trustworthy is the key. MoreSiskazi Lindeni, Nov. 2022
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I advice Bella as the best!!
I contacted to Bella from Asia Highlights that to buy tickets to Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai when i was in my country. She helped me very much. I had some tehnical problem to pay online by my card. She helped me to book the tickets of my dream, and when i came to Chiang Mai before 3 day of Festival, i could pay in theire agency there and to recieve the tickets online without any problem. You can trust this agency, and i advice Bella as the best!! MoreElena, Nov. 2022
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Great experience!
We used Asia Highlights to book our tickets to the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival in Nov. 2022. Bella was very helpful and responsive to all our questions. They handled all the arrangements very professionally and we had a wonderful time! We would definitely recommend and use them again! MoreChriatie, Nov. 2022
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Ask For Bella And/Or Nguyen at Asia Highlights
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TI booked tickets to the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Nov 2022. Bella was extremely responsive and helpful!! MoreBowen, Nov. 2022
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Yi Peng — Sky Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai
Yi Peng (or Yee Peng), known as Thailand's floating lantern festival, is celebrated in Northern Thailand. It is a Lanna festival with the largest celebrations held in Chiang Mai (the ancient capital of the former Lanna Kingdom).
Yi means 'two' while peng means 'full moon day'. It is an annual festival celebrated on the full moon in the second month of the Lanna lunar calendar and usually falls in November. It is believed that Yi Peng originated in India with the legend of the candle-carrying bird that once visited the Gautama Buddha.
The highlight of this festival is the numerous sky lanterns that are released and 'float' up into the sky. So Yi Peng is also known as the Thailand Sky Lantern Festival.
These sky lanterns are called khom loi in Thai, which means floating lanterns. The release of lanterns is believed to release negative energy and wish for good luck and good fortune in the coming year.
Chiang Mai CAD is one of the most famous sky lantern mass release events in Chiang Mai.
Tickets for Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng Festival 2024
Tickets for Chiang Mai CAD 2024 are on sale now – reserve your spot today! Join the 10,000+ clients from around the world who have trusted us to make their festival dreams come true.
Since 2019, we've proudly held the position of Premium Partner with Chiang Mai CAD, and we're thrilled to be the largest agent for premium tickets for 2024, offering an unparalleled selection. (Notably, Chiang Mai CAD does not have an official website, and all ticket sellers are agents, with us proudly being one of the largest among them.)
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- Premium ticket + transfer + dinner: US$ 199
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- Standard ticket + transfer + dinner: US$ 129
*Book a premium ticket for Exclusive Benefits! Be a part of a select few who will be closest to the stage and the chanting monks. Enjoy exclusive services with a dedicated photographer and indulge in a buffet dinner at a designated special food zone.
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Click to see the celebration timeline, and questions you might have about experiencing the Yi Peng Festival.
Loy Krathong Festival — Lights Festival, Water Lantern Festival
Loy Krathong Festival, known as the Thailand Lights Festival, occurs on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is celebrated to give thanks to the Godness of Water by releasing lotus-shaped baskets decorated with candles and flowers onto the rivers and waterways. It is also regarded as an annual celebration to mark the end of the rainy season and welcome the cool reason.
In Thai, loy means to float and a krathong is a small container. Loy Krathong literally means 'to float a basket'. Krathong is traditionally made from banana leaves and a slice of the banana tree. Krathongs often contain a candle, incense sticks, and flowers.
On the night of the festival, Thai people make a wish as they launch their krathongs onto the rivers, canals, and lakes. Some people place hair and fingernails inside the krathong to symbolize letting go of their past mistakes and negative thoughts. It is a purification ceremony to enlighten the mind and bring good fortune.
Where to Celebrate Loy Krathong Lantern Festival
Thailand celebrates the Loy Krathong Lantern Festival nationwide, but there are several notable places where you can experience its grandeur. Here are some top destinations for celebrating Loy Krathong in Thailand:
Chiang Mai hosts one of the most spectacular Loy Krathong celebrations in Thailand. The festivities here include the Yi Peng Lantern Festival, where thousands of illuminated lanterns fill the sky, creating an enchanting spectacle.
Sukhothai: As the historical birthplace of Loy Krathong, Sukhothai holds a special significance during the festival. If you value historical and cultural significance, Sukhothai is the best place, as it has deep roots in the festival's traditions and offers a more traditional atmosphere.
Bangkok provides a mix of modernity and tradition. The city's riverside parks and iconic landmarks offer a distinctive Loy Krathong celebration amidst a bustling metropolitan backdrop.
Phuket: If you don't want to deal with the crowds and prefer a beachside experience, head to Phuket for a more relaxed and laid-back celebration. You can float your krathong in the sea while enjoying the scenic coastal views.
Loi Krathong is celebrated across Thailand as well as other countries in Southasian such as Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.
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