Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival : 10 Things You Should Know

Yi Peng Lantern Festival (sometimes written as Yee Peng) in Chiang Mai is world-famous for its enchanting sight of thousands of lit lanterns rising into the night’s sky over Chiang Mai. We've put together all things you need to know about this romantic festival in Chiang Mai. 

1. What is Yi Peng Lantern Festival?

Yi Peng Lantern Festival is an ancient festive event tracing back to the ancient Lanna Kingdom (in the late 13th Century). It was traditionally celebrated to mark the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the cool season. Thai people release lanterns into the air at Yi Peng Lantern Festival. It is celebrated in northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. 

2. When is the Yee Peng Lantern Festival 2022 in Chiang Mai?

Yi means 'two' and Peng means 'full moon day', which refers to the date of this celebration. It takes place on the full moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (usually in November in the Western calendar). Yi Peng Festival is usually celebrated in November every year. The date is different each year. 

In 2022, the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival will be held on November 8-9th, 2022. It usually coincides with Loy Krathong Festival. 

7-Day Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Yi Peng Festival Bangkok and Chiang Mai

3. Why is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival celebrated?

Besides celebrating the end of the monsoon sea, Yi Peng Lantern Festival is celebrated as a way to release negative energy and wish for good luck and good fortune in the coming year. The festival is also one of the ancient traditions to honor Buddha in order to gain merit.

4. What’s the origin of Yi Peng?

Yi Peng Festival was adapted from Brahmin origins and is closely associated with the Thai Lanna culture.

Deeply rooted in Buddhism, some people believe Yi Peng Lantern Festival originated in India with the legend of the candle-carrying bird which once visited the Gautama Buddha and spoke to him about merit. In Thailand, paying respect to Buddha is regarded as a way to be reborn into the next life to enjoy great popularity and purity.

5. How do Thai people celebrate Yi Peng Lantern Festival?

The most popular practice to celebrate the festival is the launch of khom loi, or lanterns, into the night sky.

There are plenty of other activities that happen all over Chiang Mai during the festival. These include worship rituals, decoration contests, bazaars, parades traditional Thai dance shows, the official ‘Yee Peng Parade’ around the Old City gate and down Tha Phae Road, live music, and handicraft sessions. You can also expect lots of food vendors setting up, firecrackers, fireworks.

During the festival, some people also decorate their houses, gardens, and temples with khom fai, intricately shaped paper lanterns that take on different forms.

A 2-Day Romantic Thailand Lantern Festival Tour A Once-in-a-lifetime Experience with Your Loved Ones

6. What is the meaning of the lanterns to heaven during the Yi Peng Festival?

The act of releasing 'floating lanterns' (โคมลอย, khom loi) symbolizes letting go of misfortunes from the previous year and wishing for good luck in the coming year. If your lantern disappears into the dark before the light goes out, you will have an extremely good year.

The amazing spectacle of thousands of lanterns floating in the sky

7. Where is the Yee Peng Lantern Festival celebrated?

Yee Peng Lantern Festival is celebrated primarily in northern Thailand, with the largest celebrations held in Chiang Mai. If you want to experience this festival, go to Chiang Mai where Yi Peng coincides with the nationally celebrated Loy Krathong Festival (the famous Thailand Lights Festival).

5-day Highlights of Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai Fly Your Sky Lantern for an Awesome Experience

8. Where are the best places to experience Yi Peng lantern release in Chiang Mai?

There are many places to join the festival and release lanterns, paid or free. If you want to enjoy the festival like the locals, you can go to the Ping River, Three Kings Monument, and Thapae Gate. 

• Nawarat Bridge on the Ping River: This is where most of the Chiang Mai locals go to release their khom loi sky lanterns as well as their krathong floating lanterns on the nearby Ping River.
• Three Kings Monument: It is the place where the majority of activities take place. You can watch a candle-lighting ceremony and a Buddhist worship ritual.
• Thapae Gate: It is the place where many of the festival parades take place.

If you want to join in a mass lantern release and witness thousands of flying lanterns released at once, Yee Peng Lanna International (Mae Jo University) and CAD Khomloy Sky Lanterns Festival can be great options. Besides lanterns releases, you can experience many cultural activities, including worship rituals, decoration contests, bazaars, traditional Thai dance shows. See more detailed information about Best Yee Peng Mass Lantern Releases in Chiang Mai. 

9. How to Attend the Yi Peng Mass Lantern Release?

For those who want to experience the incredible scene of thousands of floating lanterns released into the night sky, it is a good idea to go to a mass lantern release event such as those at CAD or Maejo University. 

The tickets for the famous Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lanterns Festival 2022 are on sale now. Limited to 3500 seats/day. Asia Highlights is the official partner of Chiang Mai CAD. Contact us to book a ticket or submit an inquiry below. 

Click to see the seat map, celebration timeline, and questions you might have about experiencing the Yi Peng Festival.

10. What is the difference between the Yi Peng Festival and Loy Krathong? 

One major difference is that during Loy Krathong raft-like krathong lanterns made from banana leaves are released to float on rivers and lakes whereas during Yi Peng bamboo paper Khom Loi lanterns are released into the sky.

Loy Krathong is celebrated all across Thailand while Yi Peng is celebrated mainly in northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. 

10-Day Best of Thailand in Yi Peng Festival 2022 Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket