O Lantern Festival is one of the most important events in Thailand. Celebrated annually in the city of Chiang Maion dates that vary according to the lunar calendar, the festival is marked by the launching of little boats (“Loy Krathong“) in rivers and lanterns (“Yi Peng“) to the heavens. The celebration attracts thousands of tourists to public and private events, with cultural parades, offerings and prayers in Buddhist temples.
Check out all the tips for enjoying the lantern festival in Thailand, dates, prices, event locations and much more!
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What is the Lantern Festival in Thailand?
The Lantern Festival has its origins in Buddhist celebrations in Thailand, although it occurs in other Asian countries, such as Myanmar. But the most famous ceremony takes place every year in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand.
Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand.
There are those who believe that the ceremony originated in India, inspired by the legend of a bird that visited Buddha carrying a candle. In the 19th century, Buddhists in the Kingdom of Siam (former name for Thailand) launched lanterns into the sky, at the request of King Rama IV, as a way of releasing the suffering they had been holding within themselves during the previous year, and being reborn into life. next with joy and purity.
While central and southern Thailand adopted this practice only in the last 150 years, those residing in the Kingdom of Lanna (northern Thailand) had already had the custom of hoisting rice paper lanterns for the same purpose since the 13th century, making Chiang Mai is the perfect place to celebrate this world-famous Thai festival.
Read too:
– What to do in Chiang Mai: tips for one of the biggest cities in Thailand
Differences between Yi Peng and Loy Krathong
The Lantern Festival (originally called Yi Peng or Yee Peng) takes place during the same period as another celebration, the Loy Krathong. Although both are considered synonymous, there is a difference between them.
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Loy Krathong, offerings on the river
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Yi Peng, lantern launch
O Yi Peng consists of launching handmade rice paper balloons (the famous “lanterns”) into the sky. They also involve the decoration of temples and houses, presentations of typical dances and cultural parades.
The lanterns are known as “khomloy“, made of biodegradable material.
Already the Loy Krathong It is the launching of offerings into the river, in boats made from banana leaves. “Loy” means “float” and “Krathong” is what the small boats are called. The waters of Chiang Mai are filled with flowers and lights!
Loy Krathong: launching offerings into the river in the shape of a boat.
Lantern Festival: when does it take place?
The dates of the Lantern Festival in Thailand vary every year, depending on the lunar calendar. In 2024, the event in Chiang Mai will take place on November 15th and 16th.
Check the correct date of events related to the Lantern Festival. Generally the celebrations fall on a weekend: the first day reserved for the launch of little boats (“loy krathong“) and lanterns (“yi peng“) at private events; and the other day for public parades and processions in the streets of Chiang Mai.
Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai's main gate, decorated for the Lantern Festival.
The date varies annually because the event follows the Lanna calendar of northern Thailand. Loy Krathong/Yi Peng is celebrated on the twelfth full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar, which corresponds to the 12th month of the traditional Thai calendar.
It's worth remembering that the last months of the year are some of the best times to visit Thailand, with mild weather and little chance of rain.
Check out the exact dates for next years event:
– 2024: November 15th and 16th
– 2025: November 5th and 6th
– 2026: November 24th and 25th
– 2027: November 14th and 15th
– 2028: November 2nd and 3rd
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Lantern Festival: where to watch?
Some of the Lantern Festival celebrations in Thailand are free, open to the public and take place on the streets of Chiang Mai, especially around Tha Phae Gate, Tha Phae Road and Nawarat Bridge.
As the Lantern Festival became popular, receiving more and more tourists, in recent years there have been different closed events in the region, which provide a unique experience and the possibility of seeing thousands of lanterns being released into the air at the same time. These well-organized events end up being more popular with travelers.
Lantern Festival closed events:
- Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lanterns Festival: Larger and more organized event, 20 km from Chiang Mai. With a focus on sustainability, it has capacity for 4,000 people, cultural presentations, fairs, food and a place to launch boats (Loy Krathong). Entitles to two lanterns and a small boat per person.
- Mae Jo University: This event is also very popular to watch the launch of lanterns, 25 km from Chiang Mai. It has around 3,000 seats, religious and meditation activities, a Thai food buffet included and entitles you to one lantern per person.
- Northern Study Center (Mae Rim): Nearest event, 10 km from the center of Chiang Mai. It has capacity for up to 4,000 people, with shows, religious rituals and a Thai food buffet. The VIP ticket entitles you to two lanterns.
- Yee Peng Doi Saket: Held in a rural area with hot springs 30 km from Chiang Mai. There are 2,500 seats available, with traditional shows and unlimited food. The lanterns are produced by hand and part of the profit goes back to the local community.
- Wat Doi Ti & Kruba Srivijaya Monument: Smaller and cheaper event, with capacity for 750 people. Organized by a Buddhist organization, the celebration takes place near a temple 35 km from Chiang Mai. Only one lantern is offered per person.
The main differences between private Lantern Festival events in Chiang Mai are the number of seats and lanterns available, as well as the ticket price and launch location. But the objective is the same: to release as many lanterns at the same time, creating a unique visual effect in the skies.
In common, all closed events have some Basic rulessuch as the use of appropriate clothing covering shoulders and knees (after all, this is a religious event!) and the prohibition of drones, tripods and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Lantern Festival: How much does it cost?
Anyone who wants to participate in the Lantern Festival in Thailand will need to pay around 4,500 baht (+- R$600). This is the average ticket price for indoor events in Chiang Mai, to launch your own lantern and admire the beautiful view of the illuminated sky. There are, however, different types of tickets, some with more VIP seats, so the price can vary a lot.
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as closed events are very popular with foreign and local tourists. You can find more information directly on the organizers' websites or arrange a package with local agencies — they usually include transportation, meals, entry to the festival and lantern, as well as a guide in English (and even Portuguese)!
Colorful lanterns decorate homes and temples during the Lantern Festival.
Is it worth going to the Lantern Festival in Thailand?
A thousand times YES! The Lantern Festival is one of Thailand's most authentic celebrations, attracting thousands of tourists every year to the city of Chiang Mai. The lanterns light up the skies and create a romantic aura of hope and renewal of vows, perfect for those on the go.
The experience is unique and unforgettable, the highlight of any itinerary in Thailand.
Anyone concerned about the event's interference with nature can be relieved: local authorities and event organizers work together to mitigate all negative consequences for the environment.
Strict standards of sustainability regulate that the materials used in the event are biodegradable, reducing the effects of pollution. That's why the little boats are made from banana leaves; The lanterns are made from rice paper and flammable straw bushings, whose flames self-extinguish in the air and prevent fires.
In addition, firefighters are on standby and air traffic is interrupted in the city during the launch of the lanterns. They are only authorized to be launched during a brief period of the night, in pre-determined locations, further increasing the incredible effect in the skies — all calculated.
Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
O Lantern Festival of Thailand brings together culture, tradition and beauty, respecting safety protocols for everyone's well-being. It is absolutely unmissable and without a doubt one of the best attractions in Chiang Mai!
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