Where to watch and release lanterns: comparison
| Option | Where | Indicative price (October 2026) | What's included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organised mass release | Paid venue outside Chiang Mai (for example Mae On, CAD Khomloy) | from 4,900 baht (standard) to 15,900 baht (Elite) according to the CAD ticket page; to be reconfirmed | often transfer, buffet dinner, two lanterns and a krathong | those who want a sky full of lanterns |
| Venue ticket only | Same venues | varies by category (standard, VIP, premium) | entry and lanterns; transport at your own cost | travellers with their own vehicle |
| Free celebration in town | The moat, Tha Phae Gate, Three Kings Monument, Ping River | free | atmosphere, lamps and krathongs on the water; no sky lanterns | tight budgets, families, the curious |
A mass release can also be booked on GetYourGuide (see the offer at the bottom of the page). Prices come from travel guides and resellers and change from year to year; compare what is included (air-conditioned transfer or not, meal, cancellation) before paying.
Yi Peng dates for 2026
- Full moon: Tuesday 24 November 2026.
- Official calendar (TAT, city of Chiang Mai): not verified. A programme from 24 to 26 November, opening on the 24th at 6 pm near the Three Kings Monument, circulates in guides, but we could not confirm it on an official site.
- Paid CAD Khomloy event (Mae On): 24 and 25 November 2026, according to the ticket page of the organiser Chiang Mai Arts and Design (CAD); categories from 4,900 to 15,900 baht.
- Depending on the guide, the main release night is the 24th or the 25th: the paid event you choose sets its own date.
- One isolated source gives dates in early November: we discarded it.
In Bangkok the festival is called Loy Krathong and is celebrated without sky lanterns: see the page Loy Krathong in Bangkok and what to do in Bangkok in November. For all the year's events, see the festival calendar.
Where to release a lantern legally
Releasing a lantern inside the city of Chiang Mai is prohibited, as it is near the airport (air safety). Legal releases take place at organised venues outside the city:
- Mae On: the standard package usually includes transfer, a dinner, two lanterns and a krathong.
- CAD Khomloy (Mae On): a venue run by Chiang Mai Arts and Design, with six ticket categories (standard to Elite).
- Resellers such as Headout, Expedia or KKday sell these tickets; always check who runs the event and the cancellation terms, which are often strict.
Follow staff instructions, release only at the time indicated, keep children away from the flame and allow extra time for the return: the crowd is dense.
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Book transport at the same time as your hotel: seats go well before the festival.
| Mode | Duration | Price seen in October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Night train | about 12 h 30 | 941 to 2,453 baht depending on class |
| Plane | about 1 h 10 to 1 h 20 | very variable, compare; higher around the festival |
| VIP bus | 9 to 11 h | around 935 baht on a comparison site |
Details are in the Bangkok–Chiang Mai night train and train, bus or plane. For other rail trips, see train excursions from Bangkok.
Book ahead
- Hotel: two to three months ahead; the good places fill up.
- Release tickets: events sell out two to three months before the festival.
- Train: tickets open 90 to 180 days ahead depending on the source (check D-Ticket); aim for a lower berth.
- Plan B: without a ticket, the free ceremonies in town are worth the trip on their own.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Yi Peng dates in 2026?
Full moon on 24 November 2026; the paid CAD event is sold for 24 and 25 November. The official TAT calendar could not be verified: reconfirm it.
Can you release lanterns in Chiang Mai itself?
No, it is banned in the city and near the airport. Releases take place at authorised paid venues outside the city.
How much does a lantern release cost?
From 4,900 baht (standard) to 15,900 baht (Elite) for the CAD event, with transfer, dinner and two lanterns, according to the ticket page in October 2026; to be reconfirmed.
Can you do a day trip from Bangkok?
It is possible by plane but very tight: better to sleep there at least one night.
What is the difference with Loy Krathong in Bangkok?
Bangkok offers krathongs on the water and no sky lanterns; the big lantern releases are in Chiang Mai.
