Yi Peng Lantern Festival

The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is a historic and unique celebration cherished by Thai people and visitors from around the world. It is traditionally held on the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar. In 2026, the festival takes place on November 24–25, with Chiang Mai hosting the most renowned celebrations.

Origin of the Yi Peng Lantern Festival

There are generally two legends about the origin of the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. One of the most well-known is linked to an imperial concubine, and the other one is about common people’s decision to rebuild their homes.

Created by an Imperial Concubine

Around 800 years ago, during the Sukhothai Dynasty, Thailand was ruled by a Buddhist kingdom. To show devotion to Buddhism and the River God, an imperial concubine crafted hundreds of lantern floats using banana leaves. These floating lanterns were beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and fragrant candles and released onto the river.

The emperor was deeply moved by her meaningful act and officially designated the 15th day of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar as the Lantern Festival. Today, the most popular way to celebrate the Yi Peng Lantern Festival is by releasing lanterns into the sky, rather than floating them on rivers.

Created by People in Northern Thailand

In ancient times, a cholera outbreak struck the Chiang Mai region, claiming thousands of lives. The survivors fled to Myanmar to escape the disease. After ten years, they returned to their homeland and found their villages and farmland abandoned and in ruins.

As they rebuilt their homes and restored their fields, the people released lanterns onto the rivers and into the sky. This symbolic act was meant to drive away disease and misfortune and pray for peace and renewal. According to this legend, the Lantern Festival originated from this powerful gesture of hope.

Celebrations for the Yi Peng Lantern Festival

The festival celebrations revolve around lanterns: people release them into the sky and onto rivers at night, while a grand daytime float parade showcases floats designed as giant lanterns.

Release Sky Lanterns

In northern Thailand dialect, Yi Peng means releasing sky lanterns. People wrote their wishes on the lanterns, and release them into the sky. They believe diseases and misfortune can be driven away in this way. Some Buddhists only write their kinds words for the Buddha on the lanterns, and they believe it is a good way to show their respect to the Buddha.

In order to keep the residents’ safety and protect the environment, the government require both local residents and tourists release the lanterns at appointed areas. The CAD Cultural Center is the most popular venue for tourists.

Make and Release Water Lanterns

Compared with sky lanterns, water lanterns come in a wider variety of shapes, such as towers, boats, and lotus flowers. They are mainly made from banana tree trunks and leaves. At night, people bathe, dress in traditional Thai costumes, and head to nearby rivers to release the lanterns, praying to the River God as they float away.

Float Parade

Over 100,000 local residents and international travelers join the Float Parade every year. The floats are designed in shapes similar to water lanterns, so they can also be regarded as giant lanterns. Tourists usually watch the parade during the daytime and release sky lanterns at night.

The parade starts from Chiang Mai's Old City, passes Tha Phae Gate and the city moat, and finally reaches the Mae Ping River.