Every year, on the full-moon night of the 15th day of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (usually in November), Thailand celebrates Loy Krathong—one of its most popular traditional festivals. Thai people float krathongs on the water to make wishes. Locals love it, and its rich cultural atmosphere makes it feel truly special to visitors from abroad, drawing crowds of tourists from all over the world every year.
Here, I'm sharing my own Loy Krathong experience in Thailand—I’d highly recommend experiencing it at least once for yourself!
In 2026, Thailand's Loy Krathong falls on November 24 (Tuesday).
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Krathong Styles and Prices
Krathong styles change every year, but traditionally they are floats made mainly from fresh flowers, topped with three incense sticks and a candle. Some temples also provide free bowl-shaped krathongs.
A single krathong runs anywhere from 30 to 250 baht.
Krathongs sold on the street (about 70 baht)
Bowl-shaped krathongs provided by temples (Free)
Vendors selling krathongs are everywhere along the street
DIY: How to Make Your Own Krathong
Thai krathongs are fairly intricate handicrafts. Traditional krathongs are made from natural plant materials such as banana leaves, water hyacinth stems, and coconut shells (see the first video below); modern krathongs use a wide range of eco-friendly materials that break down in water, such as bread, biscuits, and fish food (see the second video below).
Once the base is shaped, simply add incense sticks, a candle, and fresh flowers to decorate it — and it's finished!
DIY Loy Krathong (Deluxe Handmade Version)
DIY Loy Krathong (Simple Kids' Version)
The Meaning of Loy Krathong
Falling on the full-moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (typically November in the Gregorian calendar), Loy Krathong is a time for celebration. Floating a krathong symbolizes washing away bad luck and negative thoughts.
Some people put coins inside their krathongs as a gesture of sincerity and offerings to the heavens.
Thai people head to rivers and lakes with their families, partners, or friends to release them. With thousands of glowing krathongs drifting on the water, the scene is nothing short of spectacular and romantic.
Where Loy Krathong Is Held
Loy Krathong is not an official national holiday in Thailand, meaning there is no day off from work. Even so, it is a deeply important festival: most Thai schools hold activities where students make krathongs, and local governments host competitions, so you will find large celebrations in every major Thai city.
Basically, anywhere in Thailand with a river or a large body of water will host Loy Krathong activities, so you can easily find a spot nearby. In Bangkok, for instance, there are more than 10 official locations hosting events (click the links to see photos of Loy Krathong at these Bangkok spots), including:Kasetsart University、Lumphini Park、Rama VIII Bridge Park、ICONSIAM Shopping Center、Asiatique The Riverfront、Wat Saket、Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)、Thammasat University (Tha Phra Chan Campus)、Phadung Krung Kasem Canal (near Hua Lamphong)、Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (Sathorn area).
2026 Chiang Mai Loy Krathong / Yi Peng Info
Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai celebrate Loy Krathong, but around the same time Chiang Mai also holds Yi Peng (ยี่เป็ง), a Lanna tradition. Bangkok's events are concentrated along the river, canals, and city parks; in Chiang Mai, besides krathong, you can also see Lanna lanterns, temple candlelight, and the small Lanna candle Phang Pratheep, with sky lantern events held outside the city center.
How Is Loy Krathong Different in Chiang Mai and Bangkok?
Look at how the two differ first, then decide how to plan your trip:
| Comparison Item | Chiang Mai | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural character | Loy Krathong plus a Lanna Yi Peng tradition | Mainly krathong, riverside, and public city events |
| Typical events | Temple candlelight, Lanna lanterns, krathongs, and ticketed sky lantern events outside the city | Activities on the Chao Phraya River, canals, parks, and riverbanks |
| Sky lantern note | Subject to no-fly zones, aviation-safety zones, time windows, permits, and event licensing | – |
| Best for | Travelers curious about Lanna culture who can set aside a few days | Travelers already based in Bangkok who want to join a krathong event nearby |
Dates:the main day of Loy Krathong 2026 in Thailand is November 24 (Tuesday)；Chiang Mai's official Yi Peng events run November 23–25. (Note that these three dates refer to the full festival window in Chiang Mai, not three separate main days).
What Is Yi Peng (ยี่เป็ง)?
Yi Peng (ยี่เป็ง) is a traditional festival deeply rooted in the Lanna (northern Thai) region. “Yi” means second, and “Peng” means full moon, translating together to “the full-moon night of the second month” of the Lanna calendar. It coincides with Loy Krathong nationwide, but possesses a distinct Northern flavor.
Common cultural elements include Phang Pratheep candles, intricate Lanna lanterns, glowing temples, and krathongs. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), for instance, showcases Yi Peng culture through stunning candle displays at Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai. Furthermore, the iconic, widely shared images of thousands of sky lanterns rising into the night sky are mostly shot at organized events outside central Chiang Mai.
2026 Official Chiang Mai Cultural Events
According to preparation guidelines published by Chiang Mai Province, official events are coordinated across government, private, and local bodies to include:
- Traditional city decorations (including the classic Chum Pratu Pa entrance arches)
- Lighting ceremonies for Phang Pratheep candles
- Authentic Lanna cultural performances
- Yi Peng lantern contests
- Krathong crafting workshops
- Grand krathong parades and competitions
Public City Events vs. Paid Sky Lantern Events
The breathtaking photos commonly seen online of massive sky lantern releases primarily come from regulated, large-scale events located on the outskirts of central Chiang Mai, many of which require advance ticket purchases.
For example, according to the organizers of the CNX Festival 2026 , events will run from November 24–25 at Miracle Land in the Mae Taeng District.
See how a Thai YouTuber with millions of followers covers Chiang Mai's Lanna events
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