Chiang Mai Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival 2025 – Detailled Program and Best Spots

UPDATE: the free event at Mae Kuan is CANCELLED  (see below)

Every year, Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of northern Thailand, hosts grand celebrations for Loy Krathong and the Yi Peng Festival, the northern-specific festival best known for the release of floating lanterns into the sky.

For the 2025 edition, most festivities will take place from November 4 to 6, with the main day on November 5. There will be numerous locations and activities (see the official city program below). As usual, information arrives gradually and somewhat last-minute, so I’ll keep updating this article regularly.

Please note that all events related to Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival will go ahead despite the national mourning period declared in Thailand.

The Best Places to Celebrate Loy Krathong in the City

The beautiful Wat Phan Tao ceremony by the pond—once one of the most photographed scenes of Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai—has not been held for four years now (even though many people still use old pictures of it).
But a new trendy spot has emerged for Loy Krathong: the Mae Kha Canal.

The Festival of Lights along Mae Kha Canal

This small stretch of canal has been redeveloped and has become a kind of hip area in Chiang Mai. It will be one of the main city spots to celebrate Loy Krathong, with lovely light decorations and small piers to place your krathong (a floating raft with candles) on the water.

Of course, the real magic happens after dark. It’s not necessarily the best place for the main night itself (November 5), but it’s great for a walk the night before, after, or as a quick stop on the big night.
Location: Google Maps link

Tha Phae Gate

This iconic city gate will, as always, be a central gathering point for Loy Krathong celebrations, with a stage for live performances. The moat surrounding the old city is a convenient place to float your krathongs, and the city walls will be decorated with candles (see official program below).

The street in front of the gate will again feature beautiful light displays.

The Three Kings Monument

There’s usually a light installation here every Loy Krathong, and often workshops for making krathongs as well.

Saphan Lek and Nawarat Bridges

While these used to be popular spots for releasing lanterns, it’s now forbidden to launch sky lanterns within Chiang Mai city due to air traffic safety. In the past, these bridges were closed to traffic during the festival, but last year, they remained open to cars this year — so I guess this will be the same these year.

In Front of the Chiang Mai Municipal Office

This is one of the official krathong floating areas organized by the city, along with another near the White Chedi. One year, they even offered free krathong-making workshops there.

Temple Ceremonies in Town

A Temple by the Ping River

More than the city moat, the Ping River is where most locals like to release their krathongs. A great spot to experience both the spiritual and traditional sides of the festival is Wat Chai Mongkhon, located across from the Alliance Française.

Monks hold sermons and chanting sessions from morning until late at night.
Location: Google Maps link

Other Notable Temples

• Wat Lok Molee – A beautifully decorated temple combining religious rituals with candlelight displays. The moat is just across the road, perfect for floating your krathong.

• Wat Chedi Luang – Always a key religious site during Loy Krathong, illuminated by candles (note: entry fee for foreigners).

• Wat Jet Lin – A charming temple with a pond. It’s quiet before the main night but becomes lively on November 5. Best visited around dusk when monks light candles.

Loy Krathong 2025 Program in Chiang Mai

This schedule is not exhaustive; it’s based on information gathered from various official and local sources. It doesn’t include private lantern releases or the free event at Mae Kuang Dam mentioned in a previous article.

October 31 – November 2, 2025

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Join the making of Phang Prathip candles (small terracotta candles that will light up the city walls on Nov 3) at the Lanna Folklife Hall activity area, opposite the Three Kings Monument.

November 3 – 5, 2025

From 6:00 PM
Cultural night walks on the theme “Lanna, Faith and Light” within the Old City.

November 3

From 5:00 PM
Lighting of tens of thousands of clay candles around the city walls and Three Kings Monument. Visitors can help light and place the candles.

Lantern lighting points in the four directions of the Old City:

• Tha Phae Gate (East)

• Suan Dok Gate (West)

• Chang Phuak Gate (North)

• Chiang Mai Gate (South)

From 5:00–5:30 PM
Parade from Ratchadamnoen Road to the Three Kings Monument.

8:00 PM
Opening ceremony of the Lanna Yi Peng Light Festival 2025, featuring hundreds of dancers performing with candles.

Around 9:21 PM (to be confirmed)
Candle-lighting ceremony in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother at the Three Kings Monument.

November 4–5, 2025

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Lighting of clay candles (Phang Prathip) and community workshops around the Three Kings Monument and the Old City.
Visitors can make lanterns and their own krathong (while supplies last).

All night: krathong floating on the Ping River, Buak Haad Park ponds, and the city moat.

November 6, 2025

From 5:00 PM
Grand parade through the city from Tha Phae Gate to Chiang Mai Municipal Office.

Sky Lantern Releases

Authorities now strictly prohibit sky lantern releases within the city to ensure flight safety.
Violations can result in up to 5 years in prison, a 200,000 THB fine, or both.
(See official zone maps for restricted areas.)

Cultural Night Walks

This year, Chiang Mai introduces Yi Peng Cultural Night Walking Tours, offered from November 3 to 5, 2025.

“Light Route” Itinerary:
A walking path through the spiritual roots of the old city, reflecting Lanna wisdom and faith. The route includes:

• Tha Phae Gate

• Wat Phan Tao

• Wat Chedi Luang

• Three Kings Monument

• Wat Lok Molee

A local agency offers a guided version of this walk (3–4 hours, small group, 700 THB) including transport, one krathong, and entrance to Wat Chedi Luang.

Contact: Siripohn Tongchai – 090-905-0004
Email: [email protected]

“Kon Kao Ya Koo” – The Midnight Rice Tradition

This year, I discovered a tradition I’d never heard of: “Kon Kao Ya Koo,” the Midnight Rice.

It’s an ancient Lanna ritual revived by the Chang Moi community in Chiang Mai. Participants gather around the full moon of Yi Peng to cook a sweet sticky rice pudding together, mixing glutinous rice with natural ingredients like beans, sesame, honey, and coconut milk.

The slow stirring symbolizes unity and community strength, and the blessed rice is shared among participants as a symbol of health and harmony.

It takes place at Wat Chom Phu on November 5 at midnight.

Loy Krathong Celebrations Outside the City

Free event at Doi Saket

Tje free public event with lantern releases in the Mae Kuang Dam area (Doi Saket), replacing the usual Nong Bua Phra Chao Luang site currently under renovation IS ALSO CANCELLED! no official event organized there anymore !

Loy Krathong at Wat Rong Khilek Choeng Doi

A lesser-known event, held at a temple by the Mae Kuang Canal, where participants can float krathongs and witness 1,500 lanterns released into the sky.

Location: Google Maps link

Transportation packages are available and make things easier if you don’t have your own vehicle.

Wat Hariphunchai in Lamphun

A bit farther from Chiang Mai, this beautiful temple glows with thousands of lanterns every night and sits close to a river—perfect for a traditional Loy Krathong evening.

You can visit until November 10, as the lanterns will remain on display.
Location: Google Maps link

Wat Doi T in Lamphun

This temple, famous for its huge Kru Ba Srivichai statue, hosts a major Yi Peng event every year, including sky lantern releases.

Although it takes place at a temple, it’s a private event with paid admission. Some agencies offer packages from Chiang Mai for about 2,000 THB.
Location: Google Maps link

Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting Chiang Mai for the festival, expect an incredible atmosphere, even though the city will be very busy.