A Guide to Loy Krathong 2025 and the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival

Dreaming of thousands of lanterns floating into the night sky in Thailand? Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals are back in 2025, and this is the year you’re going. You coming across a guide written by a Thai local couldn’t have been a coincidence, right? You’re going!

From exact dates and locations to ticket types and insider tips, this guide covers everything you need to plan your trip to join Loy Krathong 2025. And because I’m from the culture, you also get an inside scoop into the meanings and origins of the festivals, so you can appreciate your experience more.

Whether you choose water lanterns or floating lanterns, you’re in for one of the most surreal, emotional nights of your life.

But first, if you’re planning to attend the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival, you’d better grab your tickets fast. They’re usually sold out by the end of July!

Note: I originally published this post in May of 2024. I’ve recently updated it to include more recent and relevant information for you.

What Are Loy Krathong and Yi Peng?

This often confuses both foreigners and many Thai people, but Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are NOT the same thing. They are two separate festivals, held in two different ancient kingdoms for two different reasons.

Loy Krathong Explained

Loy Krathong happens ONE day out of the year on the full moon of the 12th month, according to the Thai Lunar calendar. This falls in November on the Gregorian calendar.

What is Yi Peng?

Casually called the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival by foreigners, Yi Peng is a prominent tradition in the ancient Lanna Kingdom, present-day Northern Thailand.

For the past 3 decades or so, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival has attracted attention from all over the world. It even served as an inspiration behind the lanterns scene in Tangled (2010). However, it began differently, which I’ll explain in the upcoming sections.

Are They Celebrated Together?

The dates for Loy Krathong and Yi Peng happen to coincide, both on the full moon of November in the Gregorian calendar. This is why, in Northern Thailand, both festivals are celebrated simultaneously. However, you won’t find Yi Peng celebrations in other regions of Thailand.

2025 Festival Dates

Loy Krathong Festival

In 2025, the full moon falls on November 5th. This is the official Loy Krathong date for every province in Thailand.

In Sukhothai, however, the festival usually lasts a week, making it one of the grandest celebrations in the country. For 2025, the official dates are from October 27th to November 5th.

Yi Peng Festival

The famous sky lanterns festival in Chiang Mai will officially happen on November 5th and November 6th.

History and Origins of the Festivals

Loy Krathong: Origins and Myths

There are multiple origin stories about how Loy Krathong started, hence multiple reasons why it’s done today.

Buddhist Legend

According to the Buddhist tale, 7 years after his enlightenment, Buddha spent 3 months in the heavens to deliver his wisdom to his late mother.

On the day he returned, he used his power to show people both heaven and hell. As a worship and a welcome home, they released candlelit Krathongs along the river.

Common / Agricultural Origin

The most common origin story that is still widely known and talked about today has to do with the farmers and Phra Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of Water.

When the water level rose in the river after a fruitful farming season, farmers would release Krathongs along the stream to thank Phra Mae Khongkha for providing water for their crops.

Over time, the practice went beyond the farming community, and people from other industries also started thanking the Goddess for providing water in their lives as well.

In modern-day Thailand, people release Krathongs not only to thank the Goddess but also to release their past misfortunes and make wishes for better days.

Yi Peng: A Lanna Tradition

The magical floating lanterns that filled the sky in Rapunzel were not how this festival started.

How It Really Started

A Lanna tradition since around 927 AD, the main event of Yi Peng was Tang Tham Luang (ตั้งธัมม์หลวง), the traditional Lanna-style poetic retelling of Buddha’s last incarnation.

The lanterns did have their roles, too. While only important institutions in the communities would release the floating lanterns, the people would decorate their homes with smaller Lanna lanterns as well.

The thousands of small, white floating lanterns we see today started only 30-40 years ago with the local temples around Maejo University in Chiang Mai.

Yi Peng’s Buddhist Origin Story

When Prince Siddartha (Buddha) renounced his worldly life, he used the royal sword to cut his hair, which Indra put in the Chulamani Stupa in the heavens.

To worship the sacred Chulamani hair relic, the people lit candles inside lanterns and floated them up to the heavens on the same day that Buddha had cut his hair, Yi Peng.

The Common Legend of Yi Peng

Long before the establishment of the Lanna Kingdom, a deadly plague once hit the ancient Haripunjaya kingdom. The plague forced the people to evacuate to Hanthawaddy for 6 years before they could move back.

After finally moving home to Haripunjaya, every year on the day that they had moved away, they’d release candlelit pots with good wishes along the stream, hoping it would reach the deceased.

Where to Celebrate Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in 2025

Loy Krathong is technically celebrated everywhere. No matter where you go, you’ll find the locals releasing Krathongs in the local ponds, rivers, or lately, in private event pools to help conserve water sources.

However, a handful of provinces are known for lavish festivals that last from a few days to an entire week. Below are the top options with what you can expect to see. Click on any of them to jump straight to its own section.

• Bangkok: The Riverside Spectacle
• Chiang Mai: Ticketed Floating Lanterns Event
• Sukhothai: The Weeklong Heritage Fair

Sukhothai is known for its week-long cultural fair, with extravagant light shows, parades, and street food. If you can make it 5 hours north of Bangkok on the trip, I highly recommend it.

Bangkok’s Top Loy Krathong Events

The biggest Loy Krathong host in Bangkok is Asiatique the Riverfront. Hopping onto one of their shuttle boats here, you can get off at any of the event stops below along the Chao Phraya River.

Asiatique the Riverfront

Here, you can listen to mini-concerts, play temple fair-style games, shop, as well as buy and release Krathongs. You can take the free Asiatique shuttle boat to several other sites with their own events below.

Wat Pho and Wat Arun

Join the locals to worship the Reclining Buddha, enjoy music performances, and release Krathongs into a pool to help keep the natural water sources cleaner. Just across the river, Wat Arun also encourages floating Krathongs in a pool for conservation.

Maharaj Pier and Iconsiam

Known for their sleek, modern lifestyle selections on a normal day, the malls won’t go down easily when it comes to Loy Krathong festivities.

Maharaj Pier, technically a riverside outdoor mall, lets you join in on traditional Thai dances, have fun at game booths, and enjoy a buffet dinner with live music.

Apart from the variety of Thai food and desserts you usually get at Iconsiam, enjoy special events and shop booths during the festival. Watch traditional dance performances and release Krathongs in a pool here.

Bangkok’s Dates for Loy Krathong 2025

The main events at malls and temples take place from November 4th to 6th.

Where to Stay in Bangkok During Loy Krathong

Considering the best events take place along the river, I’d recommend staying in Wanglang, Phra Nakhon, Klong Tonsai, or Bangrak. Below are the best options available at each price point.

Luxury Options

• Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
• The Peninsula Bangkok

Both hotels above have their own private Loy Krathong events with special dinners at the hotel piers.

Mid-Range Option

• Baan Wanglang Riverside (I highly recommend this one!)

This hotel is right by one of the best (and most local) food markets in the city. You’ll also have easy access to a pier that gets you anywhere in Bangkok easily.

Budget Option / Hostel

• Unplugged @ Bangrak

Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival Guide

You’ve probably heard about the floating lanterns presenting fire hazards the morning after the festival. That is why the previously public festival has been shut down.

When and Where the Event Happens

The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is now privately held, about 45 minutes from the city. The dates are from 5-6 November.

Ticket Types and What’s Included

• Admission Passes
  • Premium: 6,900 THB (Air-conditioned van shuttle, personal couches set up)
  • VIP: 6,400 THB (Air-conditioned van shuttle, dinner on bamboo tables)
  • Standard: 4,800 THB (Open-air shuttle trucks, dinner on mats, etc.)

The difference between each pass level is comfort and how well you’ll see the performances on stage. Unless you’ve saved up a ton to get spoiled in Thailand, the Standard or VIP passes are reasonable.

Everyone gets 2 lanterns, one krathong, pick-up and drop-off service, and food.

Dress Code and Etiquette

Polite or Lanna clothing (Think “temple”) is strictly enforced for those joining.

Shows and Cultural Experiences inside the Festival

• Ancient Lanna-style market
• Ancient sword fight performances
• Folk dance performances from the mountain tribes
• Craft shows: Lanna swordmaking and Lanna language calligraphy

Your event pass includes 2 floating lanterns per person in case you mess up one, so you’ll get a second chance. But here’s a tip:

Once you’ve lit your lantern, don’t try to send it up. Push it downwards, and then release!

How to Get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok

While flying is the fastest way to get to Chiang Mai, taking an overnight sleeper train is surprisingly comfortable. You get to sleep soundly while paying less and saving on one extra night of accommodation!

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai for Yi Peng

With a festival just as popular as in Sukhothai, you run the risk of losing the best hotel options if you don’t act fast. For the hotels that are booking out faster, I’ll provide an alternative. But hurry!

Luxury Option

• BED Changkian – Adults Only (Booking out FAST)
• Phra Singh Village (Booking out FAST)

Mid-Range Option

• The Craft Nimman

Budget Option / Hostel

• The Guest Chang Mai Hotel

Sukhothai’s Weeklong Loy Krathong Festival

The first capital city of Thailand, in my opinion, has the most extravagant (and longest) Loy Krathong Festival of all the options.

I’m not sure if the mythical-looking temple ruins that are scattered through the park have anything to do with it… But Loy Krathong in Sukhothai is quite something.

They dub themselves the origin of Loy Krathong, which is correct if we’re disregarding the ancient civilizations that came before Siam. But Sukhothai pioneered the lotus-shaped Krathongs!

When and Where Is the Festival?

The official 2025 dates for the Loy Krathong Festival in Sukhothai are from October 27th to November 5th. All activities take place inside the main grounds of Sukhothai Historical Park.

Activities Inside Sukhothai’s Loy Krathong Festival

There are three main events inside the Loy Krathong Fair.

Traditional Sukhothai-style Fair

Set up and decorated in old-time market style, you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of shops and stalls spread all over the main historical park.

Sight and Sound Shows

These are like stage plays reenacting the founding of Sukhothai and other important historical tales. There’s music and lights, and actors in costumes.

The best part? They’re not acting on a stage, but in one of the most important ruins, Wat Mahathat! Imagine that…

Loy Krathong Parades

For the first half of the festival, there will be parades with Thai traditional dancers and sword fighters going around the main park before sunset. The music and cheering will be loud. You can’t miss them!

Where to Stay in Sukhothai

Below are my two favorites whenever I visit Sukhothai. Both are close to the historical park with impeccable service. They’re booking out fast, though, so you need to act now.

Luxury Option

• Sriwilai Sukhothai (Booking out FAST)

Budget Option

• Thai Thai Sukhothai (Booking out FAST)

FAQs About the Loy Krathong Festival

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! The three most extravagant options for Yi Peng and Loy Krathong 2025–Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Sukhothai. If you’d like to experience the floating lanterns as well, go to Chiang Mai and buy an event pass for the Yi Peng Lantern Festival.

But keep in mind, even if you’re not in any of these places during November 4-6 this year, you will see the locals releasing Krathongs anywhere, just with fewer festivities. So don’t get too stressed about this!

Not Visiting Just for Loy Krathong?

As a Thai person, born and raised, I’ve written over 50 guides to help you plan the best possible trip to Thailand. They’re all in my Thailand Travel Center. Head right over and browse away!

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• Dos and Don’ts in Thailand
• Traveling by Night Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
• 2-Day Bangkok Itinerary
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• 4 Days in Sukhothai: A Cultural Itinerary

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