Chiang Mai is gearing up to celebrate the Loy Krathong, and Yee Peng Festivals from the 14th to the 17th of November, 2024. This guide will help you make the most of your visit, highlighting 10 FREE events and places you shouldn’t miss to ensure an unforgettable festive experience.

The year 2024 brings the return of the much-anticipated Loy Krathong, and Yee Peng Festivals. From the 14th to the 17th of November, Chiang Mai will be alive with cultural and religious celebrations. The best part? Many of these events are free to attend.

The Loy Krathong, and Yee Peng Festivals are two distinct celebrations. While Loy Krathong is a nationwide festival observed throughout Thailand, Yee Peng is primarily celebrated in Northern Thailand, as well as parts of Myanmar and Laos. Interestingly, these two festivals often coincide, making Chiang Mai’s festival celebration one of the most renowned worldwide.

Specifically, Loy Krathong will be celebrated on November 15th, 2024, while Yee Peng will take place on November 15th and 16th.

When planning your itinerary, it’s crucial to be aware of the regulations regarding sky lanterns. Due to air safety concerns within a 10-kilometer radius of Chiang Mai International Airport, releasing sky lanterns in the city center is strictly prohibited. Violators may face fines or imprisonment.

While you may still see tourists setting off lanterns in the city, this is often due to a few people illegally selling them. It’s important to remember that it’s illegal.

Releasing lanterns is best enjoyed as part of the official festival, where many people gather to celebrate together in a safe, permitted area. Celebrating in a large crowd, with countless lanterns rising in unison, creates an unforgettable experience that can’t be matched by a few scattered lanterns in the city.

No need to worry! Continue reading this article you’ll know where, and when, you can release sky lanterns during the festival—and the best part is, it’s completely free.

As long as you’re outside the 10-kilometer aviation safety zone around Chiang Mai International Airport, you’re free to release sky lanterns. If you’re staying in a countryside district like Mae Taeng or Chom Thong, you can enjoy releasing sky lanterns throughout the night without any restrictions.

Since most of the events and celebrations take place in the city center of Chiang Mai, I recommend staying there and then taking an evening trip to Doi Saket Lake to release sky lanterns. The local government of Doi Saket District decorates the area specifically for the festival, with hanging lanterns, fireworks, and other festive displays across 15th – 18th November, 2024.

Doi Saket Lake (in Thai, called Nong Bua Phra Chao Luang) is about 20 kilometers, or a 30-minute drive, from the city center. At the lake, you can buy lanterns for around 40 baht each, or 100 baht for three. You can also release a krathong, a small floating offering, on the water. Anyone can release sky lantern between 7 PM and midnight.

To reach Doi Saket Lake from Chiang Mai city center, you can take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service like Grab. Unfortunately, there’s no direct train or bus connection between the two.

To avoid crowds and potential surge pricing for taxis, consider going early in the late afternoon and returning to Chiang Mai by 8 PM, when people are just starting to arrive. There are still plenty of sights to see and explore in the city at that time.

However, if you prefer a hassle-free experience, you can join a guided tour like this one. They include round-trip transportation from Chiang Mai city center to Doi Saket Lake, as well as free dinner and lanterns.

Please be aware, that Doi Saket Lake is a free, open venue where anyone can buy and release sky lanterns. However, if you’d like to experience a mass sky lantern release—where thousands of lanterns rise together, creating the breathtaking scenes seen in viral videos—you’ll need to purchase a ticket, as these events are privately organized.

There will be at least five of these large events in Chiang Mai on November 15th and 16th, 2024. For more information and ticket links, check out this article: 5 Places For 2024 Mass Lantern Events in Chiang Mai.

A large stage will be set up in the main square outside the gate, featuring performances of traditional songs and dances that may be more appealing to locals than foreign tourists.

I recommend visiting Tha Phae Gate at night on either November 14th or 15th. On the 16th, the area will host the Yee Peng Parade. Some roads will be closed for the parade, which will likely lead to a huge crowd. If you enjoy a bustling, lively atmosphere, the 16th will be an exciting day to visit. And I mean shoulder-to-shoulder, a sardine can, kind of crowd.

The Loy Krathong and Yee Peng festivals in Chiang Mai are perfect examples of how cultural traditions intertwine with religious practices, creating a rich, blended celebration unique to this region.

A key part of these festivals is a beautiful tradition called “Tam Phang Patid” (ต๋ามผางปะตี๊ด). This roughly translates to “lighting small clay candles,” and it’s a practice deeply rooted in the local culture and religion.

The main event of Tam Phang Patid takes place at the square in front of the Three Kings Monument, right in the center of the Old City in Chiang Mai. On the evening before Loy Krathong, which falls on November 14, 2024, hundreds of dancers from different districts of Chiang Mai gather here in traditional costumes for the Tam Phang Patid ritual.

They perform a traditional dance while holding candles, honoring the goddess and the Buddhas, and praying for the prosperity of the communities. This ceremony is meant to bring happiness and good fortune to everyone present.

Tourists are welcome to join in the ceremony by lighting candles. The square will be beautifully decorated with paper lanterns and stands for lighting Phang Patid, or candle lights. There’s no need to bring your own candle; the organizers will provide candles as part of the decorations and ceremony.

The decorations and displays at the Three Kings Monument will remain in place for the duration of the festival. If you miss the evening of November 14th, 2024, you can still visit the square on the following evenings. You can light candles, take photos, or simply enjoy the cultural atmosphere and festive spirit.

Tam Phang Patid extends beyond the Three Kings Monument, as lamps are also placed around homes, temples, and public areas across the city. Beginning from the evening before Loy Krathong you’ll see locals setting up rows of small, handmade clay lamps along the moat surrounding the old city walls, especially near the city gates and corner areas.

During the festival, these flickering candles create a soft, peaceful glow that fills the atmosphere with a sense of reverence. The sight of hundreds, even thousands, of tiny flames burning together symbolizes hope and renewal, connecting everyone to a feeling of shared peace and respect for nature.

Visitors are welcome to join by lighting candles along the moat’s mortar and bricks. The clay candles are affordable and widely available at local shops and markets.

One of the best spots to take part in this tradition is on the north side of the city moat. While making your way toward Wat Lok Moli, take a moment to stop, light a few candles, snap some photos, or simply soak in the rich cultural atmosphere and the festive spirit of the event.

During the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng festivals, many people visit Buddhist temples for prayers, chanting, and making merit. One of the most vibrant temples during this time is Wat Lok Moli, just outside Chang Phueak Gate (North Gate) near the old city moat.

Wat Lok Moli is filled with hundreds of colorful paper lanterns, some provided by the temple and others hung by visitors who write their wishes on them. You’re also welcome to buy a lantern and add it to the display, making a personal wish as part of the celebration.

In the evenings during Loy Krathong and Yee Peng, Wat Lok Moli becomes a popular gathering spot, filled with local people enjoying the festival atmosphere. Visitors can light candles and place them on the brick structures surrounding the ancient pagoda, adding to the warm, glowing ambiance.

Additionally, you can buy a krathong (a small floating offering) and release it in the water just across the road from the temple, continuing a beautiful tradition of letting go and making wishes.

Loy Krathong is deeply connected to water and rivers, particularly because it centers on paying homage to the Goddess of Water, known as “Phra Mae Khongkha.” It is no surprise, then, that in Chiang Mai, the Ping River—a river that has shaped the city’s history and growth—is one of the most popular places for the celebrations.

The main celebrations for Loy Krathong, and Yee Peng in Chiang Mai take place along the Ping River, from the Chiang Mai City Municipality Office to Warorot Market.

Here, people gather on the riverbank to release their krathongs—small, decorated baskets—into the river. Special spots are set up along the riverbank, allowing people to safely step forward and float their krathongs into the water.

The central ritual of Loy Krathong is the release of these beautiful krathongs, which are often crafted from banana leaves and filled with candles, incense, flowers, and sometimes a small personal item, like a piece of hair or a nail clipping. By releasing their krathongs, people let go of negativity, misfortunes, and any grudges from the past year, hoping to feel cleansed and ready for a fresh start.

Visitors are welcome to join the celebration from the evening of November 14, 2024, which is the eve of Loy Krathong. While the main festivities happen on November 15 and 16, these dates will draw very large crowds.

Street vendors will be selling krathongs for around 20 to 50 baht, depending on the design, along with a variety of food, snacks, and drinks for visitors to enjoy. A fireworks display will light up the river at 8:00 p.m. on November 15, adding extra excitement to the festival atmosphere.

The Iron Bridge, known locally as Khua Lek, is a small bridge connecting the two sides of the Ping River in Chiang Mai. The bridge’s design and the colorful lights that illuminate it at night create a captivating sight, especially during festivals and special events in the city.

During the Loy Krathong, and Yee Peng festivals, also called the “Festival of Lights,” the bridge becomes an even more popular spot for locals and tourists alike to take photos. On the western side of the bridge, the nearby restaurants add to the lively atmosphere. Many of these places set up beautiful lighting around their seating areas, making the whole scene even more vibrant and inviting.

During the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Festivals in Chiang Mai, one of the most anticipated events is the grand parades. There will be two main parades held in the city as part of the celebrations.

The first parade, called the Sapao Lanna Parade, will take place on November 15. The second, known as the Grand Krathong Parade, is scheduled for November 16, 2024. Both parades promise to be memorable highlights of the festivals.

Both parades will follow the same route, starting at Tha Phae Gate and ending at the Chiang Mai Municipality Office. They are set to begin around 6:00-7:00 p.m.

A unique feature of these parades is that some sections of the route are quite narrow, allowing visitors to get very close to the participants. When the parade slows down, you can even take selfies with them, making for a fun and interactive experience.

Apart from the Ping River, another popular spot for releasing krathongs in Chiang Mai is Khlong Mae Kha. This historic canal has become a lively and fashionable landmark, especially during the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Festivals.

From November 14 to 17, Khlong Mae Kha will be specially decorated for the celebrations, making it a perfect spot for both locals and visitors to enjoy the festivities. If you want a quieter experience, consider visiting on the 14th to avoid the larger crowds that gather on the 15th and 16th.

Historically, Khlong Mae Kha was vital to Chiang Mai, supplying water for daily needs and helping control floods. Recently, efforts to restore and clean the canal have turned it into a space for community gatherings and cultural events, making it a meaningful place for residents once again.

During Yee Peng, both sides of the canal are lined with colorful Lanna lanterns that reflect beautifully on the water, adding an enchanting touch to the festivities. This lighting brings the canal to life, connecting people to the city’s traditions and showing how a revitalized waterway can play a new role in modern celebrations.

To truly immerse yourself in the authentic charm of Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Festivals in Chiang Mai, consider attending the Yee Peng Fa Ham. This celebration, organized by the local government of Fa Ham Subdistrict, turns the riverside area into a vibrant and festive setting.

More than 2,000 colorful Yee Peng lanterns light up the night, alongside traditional krathong floats, sao phao boats, and phang prathip oil lamps. Visitors can take part in traditional rituals, such as floating krathongs at river, paying respects to monk, and hanging lanterns for blessings.

For a unique perspective, join a community-led boat tour along the illuminated Ping River. The boat departs from the pier behind Wat Khajao and cruises to Chiang Mai Municipality, the main venue of the city’s Yee Peng celebrations. This round-trip tour costs only 100 baht per person.

The festival takes place at a park in the Fa Ham subdistrict, around 4 kilometers from Chiang Mai’s city center. Although the park does not have an English name, you can easily get there by using the GRAB app. Just set your destination to “สวนสุขภาพริมน้ำปิง ตำบลฟ้าฮ่าม.”

Don’t worry about finding the venue; the festive atmosphere, with its crowd and colorful lights, is quite noticeable from a distance. This event is popular among locals, so you can easily ask for directions if needed.