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).
Contents: jump to the section you need
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 intricate handicrafts. Traditional materials include banana leaves, stems of dragon-claw flowers and coconut shells (see the first video below). Modern versions use 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
The festival falls on the 15th day of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, usually in November, around the full moon of the 9th or 10th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Floating a krathong symbolizes letting bad luck drift away.
Some people put coins inside their krathongs as a gesture of sincerity and offerings to the heavens.
Thai people go to the river with family, partners or friends to float their krathongs. Seeing so many krathongs drifting on the water is impressive 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.
Wherever there is a river or a large lake in Thailand, you can usually find Loy Krathong activities nearby. Bangkok alone has more than 10 places to join in (click the links to see Loy Krathong photos from these places), 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).
Loy Krathong on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River? Check which cruise ticket you’re booking
If you’ll be in Bangkok for Loy Krathong and want to plan dinner at the same time, take a look at the Chao Phraya Princess festival dinner cruise. The product page also lists sunset cruises and regular dinner cruises.
For Loy Krathong, first choose「Loy Krathong Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM Pier（19:30–22:30）」, then select November 24, 2026. The package includes a 3-hour cruise, an international buffet dinner, live music, unlimited soft drinks and 1 krathong per person. Check in at ICONSIAM Pier 1 between 18:00–19:00; departure is at 19:30 and the cruise returns at 22:30.
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 and krathongs; 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 of the Lanna region. “Yi” relates to the second month of the Lanna calendar, and “Peng” means full moon. Together, they refer to the full-moon night of the second month. It takes place around the same time as Loy Krathong across Thailand, but belongs to northern Thailand’s Lanna culture.
Common cultural elements include small Phang Pratheep candles, Lanna lanterns, temple candlelight and krathongs. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) presents Yi Peng culture through candlelight and Phang Pratheep at Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai. Images of large numbers of sky lanterns rising together are also mostly taken outside central Chiang Mai.
2026 Official Chiang Mai Cultural Events
According to Chiang Mai Province’s 2026 preparation information, the activities are coordinated by government, private and local organizations and include:
- Traditional city decorations (including the classic Chum Pratu Pa entrance arches)
- Lighting ceremonies for Phang Pratheep candles
- Lanna cultural performances
- Yi Peng lantern contests
- Krathong activities
- Grand krathong parades and competitions
Public City Events vs. Paid Sky Lantern Events
Images of large numbers of sky lanterns rising together commonly seen online mainly come fromregulated eventsoutside central Chiang Mai. Some sessions require a separate ticket.
For example, according to the organizers ofCNX Festival 2026, the event takes place on November 24–25 at Miracle Land in Mae Taeng.
Sky lanterns in Chiang Mai: convenient ticket packages
If you’re hoping to see everyone releasing sky lanterns together, take a look at the “Yeepeng Lanna International Lantern Festival 2026” event, held at Thudongkasathan Lanna in San Sai. (This is a different venue from the CNX event in Mae Taeng mentioned above, so check carefully when booking.)
The dates are November 24–25, 2026. Choose the day you want to attend. The standard-seat package includes dinner, 3 sky lanterns, 1 krathong and round-trip transfers from the Central Chiang Mai meeting point.
(These are meeting-point transfers, not hotel pickups.)
See how a Thai YouTuber with millions of followers covers Chiang Mai's Lanna events
How do you want to experience Loy Krathong?
Planning your first Loy Krathong trip? Before buying tickets, decide whether you want to float a krathong in Bangkok or see sky lanterns in Chiang Mai. The locations and arrangements are quite different.
Choose one of these three options first, then plan your transport:
| How would you like to spend Loy Krathong? | How to plan it | Check this before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Stay in Bangkok and join a public event | Choose a venue that’s easy to reach. The Tourism Authority of Thailand currently lists Kasetsart University’s event for November 23–24, 2026. | Check this year’s announcement, opening times and any admission charge. Budget separately for a krathong, transport and food. |
| Stay in Bangkok and combine dinner with river views | Look at the Chao Phraya River festival dinner cruise on November 24. | Choose the Loy Krathong package and check the date, pier and cancellation or amendment terms. |
| Head to Chiang Mai for an organized sky-lantern event | Compare venues, ticket types and transfers before choosing a date. | Floating krathongs and releasing sky lanterns are different experiences. Check the meeting point before booking an event ticket. |
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😎 About me
I have 10 years of expat experience in Thailand (see About me), speak Thai, and serve as your local insider guide. Feel free to join my Facebook page: LiangYu in Thailand - 10-Year Thailand Expat Journal, where we can share experiences about work, life, travel, and business in Thailand.
☎ Reservation Services for Thai Restaurants, Hotels, and Golf
Most reservations for Thai restaurants, itineraries and holiday apartments require a local Thai bank account. Popular venues such as the Maldives-themed Bubble in the Forest Cafe, and many distinctive places to stay outside major cities, such as those in Kanchanaburi's Pilok area, often lack online booking and payment systems. If you need booking assistance, please contact me on Facebook.
