Loy Krathong & Yi Peng 2026: A Thailand DMC Guide for Groups

Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month. In Chiang Mai the same nights are Yi Peng, the Lanna festival of lanterns. This guide is written for travel agents, tour operators and group organisers: the dates, where each celebration happens, the lantern rules, and how to plan a group around one of Thailand's busiest weeks.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng 2026 at a glance

• Loy Krathong night: Tuesday 24 November 2026, celebrated across Thailand.
• Yi Peng in Chiang Mai and the north: the nights around the same full moon. The city's official 2026 programme is still to be confirmed; we confirm event dates with the organisers before booking.
• Sukhothai Historical Park: the Loy Krathong, Burning Candles and Playing with Fire Festival runs from 15 to 24 November 2026, with shows at 7 pm and an extra show at 8:30 pm on 24 November. Tickets cost 500, 900 or 1,200 baht ([Thai government listing](https://www.thailand.go.th/event-detail/loy-krathong-burning-candles-and-playing-with-fire-festival-in-sukhothai)).
• Bangkok: Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya River on 24 November. Sky lanterns are not part of the Bangkok celebration.
• Lead time today: about six weeks. For a group, secure rooms, flights and event places before you sell the programme.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng: what is the difference?

They share a full moon, but they are different traditions, and clients often confuse them.

• Loy Krathong is celebrated across Thailand. People float a krathong, a small raft of banana leaf, flowers, incense and a candle, on a river, lake or canal to thank and apologise to the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, and to let go of the past year's misfortune.
• Yi Peng is a Lanna (northern Thai) tradition centred on Chiang Mai. It is the festival of lanterns: paper lanterns hung at temples and homes, and the khom loi, the sky lantern released as a symbol of letting go and making merit.

In Chiang Mai you get both: krathongs on the Ping River and lanterns in the sky. That is why it is the most requested place to be, and the most crowded.

Where to celebrate: a location guide for groups

Chiang Mai: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong together

The city's celebrations centre on the old city and the Ping River, with lanterns at the temples, decorated gates, candle-lit parades and krathongs on the river. The Nawarat Bridge and the riverbanks are among the busiest points on the main nights.

The famous image of thousands of lanterns rising at once comes from organised, ticketed mass-release events held outside the city centre, not from the street. Places are limited, they sell out well ahead, and they should be bought only from the official organisers or an authorised agent. For a group, check what the ticket includes (transfers, dinner, seating), the age policy, and whether the event is confirmed for 2026 before you sell it.

Sukhothai: the historical heart

Many Thais regard Sukhothai as the birthplace of Loy Krathong. The festival at Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, combines a light-and-sound show among the ruins with candles, fireworks and krathongs on the ancient ponds. It suits groups who want history and a seated show rather than street crowds, and reserved seating makes a group easier to manage.

Bangkok: Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya

Bangkok celebrates on the river and in its parks. Riverside venues such as Asiatique, ICONSIAM and the banks facing Wat Arun draw very large crowds. For a group, a dinner cruise or a reserved riverside restaurant gives everyone a place to float a krathong without fighting for space on a public pier.

Phuket and the beaches

In Phuket, krathongs are floated on the beaches and lakes, with Patong Beach and Saphan Hin in Phuket Town among the main gatherings. Sky lanterns are banned around Phuket airport, so a beach programme is a water festival only.

Other northern cities

Yi Peng is a Lanna tradition, so Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun also decorate their temples with lanterns and celebrate on the water. They are quieter than Chiang Mai and can suit a smaller group, or a programme that continues north after the main nights.

Lantern rules: what clients can and cannot do

Sky lanterns are a fire risk and a hazard to aircraft, and Thai authorities regulate them closely.

• Release only where it is allowed. In Chiang Mai, releases are controlled by provincial rules, with restricted zones around the airport and its flight paths. Releasing a lantern outside a permitted event or time can lead to a fine or worse.
• Expect flight changes. In past years, airlines have cancelled or rescheduled flights at Chiang Mai airport on the main lantern nights. Do not plan tight connections into or out of Chiang Mai on those evenings.
• No lanterns in Bangkok or near airports. Clients who want the lantern experience must be in the north, at a permitted event.
• Choose biodegradable krathongs. Banana-leaf, bread or flower krathongs rather than styrofoam. Cities clear huge numbers of krathongs from their waterways the next morning.

We check the 2026 lantern rules and permitted times with the local authorities and event organisers before we finalise any programme.

Planning a group for Loy Krathong 2026

Festival week is peak season in Chiang Mai, and the main nights are among the hardest of the year to operate. This is how we approach it.

Lead times

• Rooms and flights first. Hotels in Chiang Mai's old city and along the river, and flights into Chiang Mai, fill early for festival week. With about six weeks to go, hold inventory before you confirm a price to your client.
• Event places. Ticketed lantern events and the Sukhothai show have fixed capacities. Secure places for the whole group, guides included, before you sell.
• Terms. Check deposit, minimum-stay and cancellation terms for festival dates, which can differ from the rest of the season.

Logistics on the night

• Transport: roads near the parade routes, the old city gates and the river close or gridlock in the evening. Plan coach drop-off and pick-up points away from the centre and walk the final stretch with guides.
• Headcount: brief the group on a fixed meeting point and time, and plan more guides per guest than usual. Crowds on bridges and piers move slowly.
• Timing: keep the festival evening free of other commitments: dinner first, the festival after, and a late return.
• Accessibility: crowds, steps and uneven ground make the riverbanks hard for guests with limited mobility. A seated show in Sukhothai or a river cruise in Bangkok works better for them.

Rules and etiquette

• Dress modestly for temple visits, with shoulders and knees covered.
• Follow the lantern rules above and the organisers' instructions at ticketed events.
• Use biodegradable krathongs and keep litter out of the water.

Photography tips to share with clients

• Arrive before dusk to find a position; the best spots on bridges and riverbanks fill first.
• Raise the camera's sensitivity rather than using flash, which flattens candlelight and disturbs others.
• Tripods and drones may be restricted at ticketed events and in crowds; check the organisers' rules first.
• At temples, ask before photographing monks or people at prayer.

Combining the festival with a wider programme

Festival nights work best as one or two highlights in a longer itinerary: Chiang Mai with Chiang Rai, Sukhothai on the way north from Bangkok, or Bangkok with a beach extension. Explore our Thailand destination guide for ideas, and see the Southeast Asia festival calendar 2027 if your clients are already looking at next year.

Why plan Loy Krathong with DMC Connect

DMC Connect is a Bangkok-based destination management company licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT 14/04338) and a member of ATTA (5259), with more than 15 years of experience serving travel agents, tour operators and corporate groups. We work with the trade only, at net rates.

Tell us your group size, dates and preferred city, and we will send a tailored proposal within 24 hours. Plan your festival programme.

Frequently asked questions

When is Loy Krathong 2026?

Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month. Some cities celebrate over several nights around that date.

When is Yi Peng 2026 in Chiang Mai?

Yi Peng is celebrated in Chiang Mai on the nights around the same full moon. The city's official 2026 programme is still to be confirmed, so we confirm event dates with the organisers before booking.

Can tourists release sky lanterns in Chiang Mai?

Only where and when it is permitted. Releases are restricted, especially near the airport, and the mass releases seen in photos are organised, ticketed events. Unauthorised releases can be fined.

Can you release lanterns in Bangkok?

No. Sky lanterns are not part of the Bangkok celebration, and releases are restricted near the airports. In Bangkok, Loy Krathong is a river festival.

How far ahead should a group book for Loy Krathong?

As early as possible. Festival week is peak season in Chiang Mai, and event places have fixed capacities. For 2026, with about six weeks to go, secure rooms, flights and event places before you confirm the programme to your client.

Which is better for a group: Chiang Mai, Sukhothai or Bangkok?

Chiang Mai for the lanterns and the atmosphere, with the biggest crowds. Sukhothai for history and a seated show. Bangkok for an easy river evening, ideally on a dinner cruise.