Loy Krathong

When is Loy Krathong 2026?

Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November, the night of the full moon in the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. Loy Krathong itself is one night, but Chiang Mai's Yi Peng runs for three days, 23 to 25 November, and Sukhothai's festival for ten, 15 to 24 November, so you can stretch it into a long weekend in the north.

Plan it with Tanner.

Where's the best place for Loy Krathong?

The best place to celebrate Loy Krathong depends on what you want. Chiang Mai has Yi Peng and the lanterns, Sukhothai has the light shows in the old capital, and Bangkok has the river and the big city night.

• Chiang Mai: Yi Peng, the Thailand lantern festival, 23 to 25 November, with the main site at Tonlamyai Market park this year, moved from Tha Phae Gate. Ticketed lantern releases are separate events. Read Yi Peng and Chiang Mai festivals.
• Sukhothai: the Burning Candles and Playing with Fire festival in the Sukhothai Historical Park, 15 to 24 November. Read Loy Krathong in Sukhothai.
• Bangkok: krathongs on the Chao Phraya River, with Vijit Chao Phraya lights on the river from 13 November to 13 December. The city has five main sites: Wat Saket and Rama 8 Bridge from 17 to 29 November, and Phra Sumen Fort and two spots on Prem Prachakorn Canal from 23 to 25 November. Krathongs must be made of natural materials, and bread krathongs, firecrackers and lanterns are not allowed. Read Loy Krathong in Bangkok.
• Koh Phangan: the Full Moon Party lands on Loy Krathong night, Tuesday 24 November. Read Full Moon Party.
• Phuket: float your krathong from a private yacht in a quiet bay at sunset.
• Pattaya: the same week, the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival lights up the bay on 27 and 28 November.

Ask Tanner and he builds the trip around your city.

How is Loy Krathong different from Yi Peng?

Loy Krathong is the festival of krathongs on the water, all over Thailand, on one night: Tuesday 24 November 2026. Yi Peng is the northern lantern festival in Chiang Mai, from 23 to 25 November, with lanterns hung over the streets and sky lanterns on 24 and 25 November. They share the same full moon, so in Chiang Mai you get both.

Read the Thailand lantern festival, khom loi sky lanterns and Yi Peng vs Taiwan's Pingxi.

What is Loy Krathong, and what does it mean?

Loy Krathong is Thailand's festival of lights on the water. "Loy" means to float and a "krathong" is the small float, so the name means floating a krathong. On the full-moon night of the 12th lunar month, Tuesday 24 November 2026, the whole country walks down to rivers, lakes and the sea, lights a candle on a krathong and lets it go with a wish: a thank-you to Phra Mae Khongkha, the goddess of water, and a way to let bad luck drift away.

In the north, the same week is Yi Peng, when Chiang Mai lights up with lanterns. Sky lanterns go up on 24 and 25 November, from 7pm to 1am, and only in permitted areas. Read Yi Peng tickets and lantern rules.

What is a krathong?

A krathong is the small float you let go at Loy Krathong: banana leaf folded into a lotus shape, with flowers, a candle and incense on top. The base was first anything that floats, like a slice of banana trunk or a piece of bamboo, and today the best krathongs are made of natural materials that are kind to the river.

A krathong goes on the water; a khom loi goes up into the sky. Read khom loi for the sky lanterns of the north.

How do you float a krathong?

After dark on Tuesday 24 November 2026, head for a river, a lake, a park pond or a pier and join the crowd at the edge of the water. Floating a krathong takes four easy steps.

• Get a krathong: buy one from a stall near the water, or make your own from banana leaf and flowers.
• Light it: light the candle and the incense sticks.
• Make a wish: hold it, think of your wish, and set it down gently on the water.
• Let it go: watch it drift away with all the others.

Ask Tanner for the best spot to float yours.

Are there Loy Krathong tickets?

Floating a krathong is free, anywhere in Thailand. The tickets are for the shows: in Sukhothai, the light-and-sound show tickets cost ฿500, ฿900 or ฿1,200, with shows at 7pm from 15 to 24 November.

Ticketed lantern releases in Chiang Mai are run by their own organisers, and each release needs its own permit. Sky lanterns may go up only on 24 and 25 November, 7pm to 1am. Ask Tanner to plan the car and the night around the show.

Can you see Loy Krathong from the water?

Yes, and from your own boat it's the best seat of the night. In Bangkok, the river lights up around you and krathongs drift past the temples. In Phuket, a private yacht leaves at sunset and anchors in a quiet bay, and you float your krathong from the swim platform. Tanner quotes boats to your plan.

• Bangkok: your boat's route and pier are set with the river plan for the night. Read Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya.
• Phuket: a private motor yacht with the party set up on board.

Ask Tanner for your boat.

How do you plan a Loy Krathong trip?

Plan a Loy Krathong trip by booking the city first, then the flight, then the night. Chiang Mai fills up for Yi Peng, and flight times change on lantern nights, so book early.

• Flights to Chiang Mai: about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 20 from Bangkok. Read Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
• Airport fast track: ฿2,400 a person at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang.
• Your driver: a luxury van with a driver from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, for up to 4.
• Your base: a private pool villa from ฿18,500 a day.

Plan it with Tanner: say which city and how many of you, or see more festival trips in Thailand.

What should you bring for Loy Krathong?

For Loy Krathong, bring a krathong made of natural materials and a wish. Buy one at a stall by the water or make your own from banana leaf, and book your city, flight and room early.

Loy Krathong: what's the short version?

• Loy Krathong: Tuesday 24 November 2026; free to float a krathong.

• Yi Peng in Chiang Mai 23 to 25 November; Sukhothai 15 to 24 November.
• Loy Krathong 2027: expected Saturday 13 November.

Plan it with Tanner.