Thailand Lantern Festival 2025: How to Experience Yi Peng and Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai

Remember that Tangled scene where Rapunzel and Flynn are surrounded by glowing lanterns on the water? You can experience that too in Thailand’s Yi Peng Lantern Festival, one of the most breathtaking celebrations in Asia!

If you’ve ever dreamed of being in that moment, now’s your chance. Every November, Chiang Mai lights up with thousands of lanterns drifting into the night sky and krathongs (small decorated baskets)  floating down the river.

So, what is this festival all about and how do you actually get there to celebrate it?

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Actually, the two festivals happen at the same time and often overlap, which is why people mix them up.

• Yi Peng is when paper lanterns (called khom loi) are released into the sky to symbolise letting go of negativity and making wishes for good luck.

• Loi Krathong happens on water. People float krathongs made of banana leaves, flowers, and candles along rivers and lakes to thank the water goddess and start fresh.

In Chiang Mai, these two merge beautifully, so you get both sky lanterns and floating baskets all in one trip.

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The festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates change each year. In 2025, mark your calendar for:

• Yi Peng: 5–6 November 2025

• Loi Krathong: 6 November 2025

Events and parades usually start a day earlier and last until the 7th, with lantern-lit temples, cultural shows, and fireworks across the city.

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Some travellers are surprised to find that parts of the Yi Peng and Loi Krathong festival in Chiang Mai require tickets. Here’s why:

• The main city celebrations are free. You can still join locals by the river, temples, or bridges to release lanterns or float your krathong.

• The paid events are organised by private groups. These often include dinner buffets, shuttle transfers, and a guaranteed spot for the sky lantern release.

• Ticket prices vary and are decided upon private activity providers that organize the events. It starts at around THB 4,000 to 6,700 (around PHP 6,700 to 11,200) depending on the package and location.

Also read: My Taiwan Lantern Festival Experience: A Guide for First-Timers

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• Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival (Hualiying Travel). One of the biggest and most popular. Tickets start at THB 9,560 (around PHP 17,000 per head). Packages include lanterns, a krathong, dinner, and transfers.

• Chiang Mai Moonlight Sky Lantern Loy Krathong Festival 2025 (One Asia Corporation). Join the Loi Krathong and Yi Peng festivals in Lamphun Province with dinner, a live show, and a sky lantern release under the moonlight with over a thousand guests. Ticket prices range from THB 7,277 (around PHP 13,000 per person).

• Chiang Mai: Heaven Lantern Festival Ticket with Dinner 2025 (Touring Center). You can join and experience timeless Thai traditions with an entry ticket to The Heaven Lantern Festival. Be enchanted by the lanterns, the rhythm of the music, and the flavors of local food. Tickets cost around THB 6,700 (around PHP 11,800 per pax) and include dinner, activities, and the main lantern release.

If you’re travelling on a budget, you can still enjoy the festival for free. Head to public spots like Nawarat Bridge, Ping River, or Tha Phae Gate, where locals gather to release lanterns and krathongs. Expect larger crowds and less structure, but still a beautiful experience.

Also read: Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Budget-Friendly Paradise of Southeast Asia

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• The easiest way is to fly from Manila to Bangkok, then take a domestic flight to Chiang Mai. The flight from Bangkok takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

• If you want a bit more adventure, take the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The 12-hour ride gives you relaxing countryside views along the way.

• Once in Chiang Mai, you can explore the Old City and river areas by Grab, tuk-tuk, or songthaew (red trucks). Most festival events happen within walking distance around Tha Phae Gate and the Ping River.

Note: Flight and train fares may vary depending on the season and demand. Prices usually rise closer to the festival dates, so book early to save.

Also read: This is What It’s Like to Ride a Sleeper Train to Chiang Mai

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You can stay near the Ping River or Tha Phae Gate if you want to be close to the lantern action. Rooms fill up quickly, so it’s best to book a few months ahead!

If you prefer quieter areas, Nimmanhaemin is a great option. It’s trendy, has cafés, and is only a short ride from the festival spots.

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• Streets light up with lanterns, decorations, and food stalls everywhere

• You can buy krathongs for around THB 20 to 100 (about PHP 34 to 170) and float them on the Ping River.

• Sky lanterns are regulated within the city, so check for organised release events at temples or nearby open fields

• The biggest crowd gathers around Nawarat Bridge and the Old City moat, where the reflections look magical at night

Also read: Soaked & Stoked: A Guide to Celebrating Thailand’s Epic Songkran Water Festival

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• Dress modestly out of respect, especially around temples

• Bring mosquito repellent and a small flashlight

• Use biodegradable lanterns and krathongs

• Arrive early to secure a good spot before sunset

• Expect heavy traffic and big crowds on festival nights

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Yi Peng and Loi Krathong are more than just picture-perfect festivals. They’re about hope, gratitude, and fresh starts, the kind of energy we all need before the year ends.

Chiang Mai is close, affordable, and ideal for a short November trip from the Philippines. You’ll come home with new memories, great photos, and maybe a little wish that came true!

Featured Image credit: Disney, Tangled (2010)