Festival ·
Loy Krathong 2026 is 24 November, and Chiang Mai runs Yi Peng 23 to 25
Thailand floats its krathongs on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, which in 2026 is Tuesday 24 November. Chiang Mai has set its Yi Peng lantern festival for 23 to 25 November.
Checked 29 October 2026 against Chiang Mai provincial notices. Bangkok venues not yet published.
The dates
- Nationwide: Loy Krathong is the evening of Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month.
- Chiang Mai (Yi Peng): 23 to 25 November. Small krathong day is 24 November, large krathong day is 25 November.
- Sukhothai: the festival in the historical park runs 15 to 24 November.
- Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya: expect events on the night of 24 November. Official 2026 venue lists were not out by 29 October.
Lantern rules in Chiang Mai
- Sky lanterns and fireworks: only on 24 and 25 November, 19:00 to 01:00, and only at approved sites with a district permit.
- Near the airport: no-release zones apply both nights, and releases elsewhere still need permission.
- Ticketed mass releases: these are private events. Check who the organiser is and the refund terms before you pay.
What to do
- Book Chiang Mai rooms early: the Old City and riverside fill first for the three festival nights.
- Float a krathong, not a lantern: any river, canal or park pond works, and banana-trunk krathongs are easy to buy on the day.
- Pick Sukhothai for a calmer night: the historical park festival ends with the main floating on 24 November.