The Yi Peng Lantern Festival, a mesmerizing celebration of light and culture, is one of Thailand's most visually stunning events. Each year, thousands of lanterns illuminate the night sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle that draws visitors from around the world.
When Is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2024?
In 2024, the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival will be held for two days on November 15th and 16th, 2024.
The date of the Yi Peng Festival changes every year. Yi Peng festival was created by the Lanna people of Northern Thailand and its date is based on the Lanna Lunar Calendar. Its name indicates when the festival is celebrated.
Yi means 'two' and Peng means 'full moon day'. Yi peng means the full moon night in the second month according to the Lanna lunar calendar (the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar), which is usually in November.
Yi Peng is celebrated in tandem with Loy Krathong, normally starting one or two days before Loy Krathong.
Yi Peng Festival Dates: 2024, 2025...
The official date of Yi Peng is announced the year before. So we don't know exactly when the festival will take place in future years, but we know it will likely happen on the night of the full moon or one day before or after. Here are the upcoming full moons (and tentative Yi Peng Lantern Festival dates).
| Year | Dates | Week Days |
| 2023 | Nov. 27-28 | Monday-Tuesday |
| 2024 | Nov. 15-16 | Friday - Saturday |
| 2025 | Nov. 5-6 | Wednesday - Thursday |
| 2026 | Nov. 24-25 | Tuesday - Wednesday |
| 2027 | Nov. 13-14 | Saturday - Sunday |
| 2028 | Nov. 1-2 | Wednesday - Thursday |
| 2029 | Nov. 20-21 | Tuesday - Wednesday |
| 2030 | Nov. 9-10 | Saturday - Sunday |
Why Does the Yi Peng Date Change Every Year?
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is intricately tied to the lunar calendar. It is celebrated on the full moon night of the second month in the Lanna calendar, a traditional Thai calendar used in Northern Thailand. Since the lunar calendar doesn't align perfectly with the solar calendar, the full moon night falls on different dates each year. This causes the Yi Peng festival to shift annually within the Gregorian calendar.
How Long Does the Yi Peng Lantern Festival Last?
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival typically lasts for two days. Each day features the grand release of thousands of lanterns into the sky, creating the iconic image of the festival. It also includes additional cultural performances, parades, and community activities, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
Yi Peng Festival Lantern Release Venues in 2024
One important thing to note is that witnessing the spectacle of thousands of sky lanterns soaring into the night sky typically requires attending a private event, for which tickets are available at prices ranging from USD 80 to 300.
In 2024, in addition to the renowned Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lanterns Festival (referred to as CAD) and Yee Peng Lanna International 2024 (also known as Mae Jo), four additional venues have been announced (as of April). These venues offer similar schedules, providing attendees with more options to choose from.
If you're eager to experience this mesmerizing event, you can secure your tickets now. We are an authorized agent for booking tickets for two of the venues.
Tickets for Chiang Mai CAD 2024 are selling fast – secure your spot now before it's too late!
Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng FestivalYi Peng Festival Celebration Schedule in 2024
If you don't want to attend a private event, you can still experience a lot of festive activities in downtown Chiang Mai.
The activities are similar each year. For reference, here is the schedule for 2023 for reference:
| Events in the city | Time | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Ceremony of Worshiping the Spirit House and the White Pagoda | 08:00 a.m. | Nov. 26, 2023 | Chiang Mai Municipality Office, White Pagoda |
| 2. The Ping River Apology Ceremony | 09:00 a.m. | Nov. 26, 2023 | Pier at Sri Khong Temple |
| 3. Yeepeng Lanna Lanterns Contest (Big Hanging Lanterns) | 04:00 p.m. | Nov. 26, 2023 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 4. Opening Ceremony Yeepeng Festival 2023 in Chiang Mai " | 06:00 p.m. | Nov. 26, 2023 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 5. The Yeepeng Festival Queen and King Pageant in Chiang Mai | 07:00 p.m. | Nov. 26-27, 2023 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 6. The Forest Gate Ceremony Yeepeng Lanna Chiang Mai | For the duration of the event | Nov. 26-28, 2023 | Community and temple in the municipal area |
| 7. Ping River Krathong Release Ceremony | 6:00 p.m. | Nov. 26-28, 2023 | Ping River Bank at Municipality Office |
| 8. Lanna Arts and Culture Performance | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Nov. 26-28, 2023 | Tha Pae Gate |
| 9. The Happiness of the River: Yeepeng Festival in Chiang Mai | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Nov. 26-28, 2023 | The Ping River, Mae Kha Canal |
| 10. Light, sound, and multimedia show | 8:00 p.m. | Nov. 26-28, 2023 | The Stage at Wat Sri Khong Pier |
| 11. Royal Celebration Fireworks Display | 8:30 p.m. | Nov. 26-28, 2023 | Wat Sri Khong Pier |
| 12. Phra Mahachat Sermon Ceremony | 5:00 a.m-9:00 p.m. | Nov. 27, 2023 | Sri Don Chai Temple |
| 13. Handmade Lotus Leaf and Fresh Flower Krathong Contest | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Nov. 27, 2023 | Municipality office |
| 14. The Chiang Mai Yeepeng Little Miss and Mister Contest | 6:00 p.m. | Nov. 27, 2023 | Municipality office |
| 15. Lanna Yeepeng Lantern Boat Procession Contest | 7:00 p.m. | Nov. 27, 2023 | Tha Phae Gate – Municipality office |
| 16. Luk Thung Singing Contest with Tail Dancers, Preserving Thai Culture | 4:30 p.m. | Nov. 28, 2023 | Municipality Office |
| 17. The Toyal Procession of Large Floating Krathong Competition | 7:00 p.m. | Nov. 28, 2023 | Tha Phae Gate-Municipality office |
| 18. Award Ceremony of The Royal Procession of Large Floating Krathong Competition | 10:00 p.m. | Nov. 28, 2023 | Municipality office |
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