Loy Krathong in Thailand – Date, where to celebrate & tips

On the evening of Loy Krathong, small krathongs decorated with flowers and candles float on rivers, lakes and canals across Thailand. What can look in photos like one nationwide festival of lights is actually celebrated very differently from place to place. In Sukhothai, temple ruins and ponds shape the setting. Bangkok centers much of the celebration around the Chao Phraya River, while Phuket hosts smaller events at beaches and lakes.

The best-known images come from Chiang Mai, where sky lanterns appear alongside the krathongs. Those lanterns belong to Yi Peng, a northern Thai festival that takes place at the same time as Loy Krathong. The two festivals overlap, but they come from different traditions. Sky lanterns also cannot simply be released wherever you choose.

The right place depends on more than the size of the celebration. Historic temple grounds, riverside events, northern Thai traditions or an easy evening during a beach vacation can all make sense depending on the trip. This guide explains what Loy Krathong celebrates, what happens during the evening and how Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Bangkok and Phuket compare.

When is Loy Krathong?

Loy Krathong, also spelled Loi Krathong, falls on the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. The date changes every year and usually falls in November. Loy Krathong itself centers on one evening, although larger events may begin several days earlier or continue beyond the full-moon night.

This year, Loy Krathong falls on November 24, 2026 . Festival programs in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai often stretch across several days. If you are traveling specifically for Loy Krathong, allow a few days and check the local program when making your plans. Exact times, parades and venues are usually announced closer to the festival.

Loy Krathong is not a nationwide public holiday, so shops, restaurants and attractions generally remain open. Around the main celebration areas, however, roads can be busier, journeys take longer and accommodation may fill up quickly.

What does Loy Krathong celebrate?

“Loy" means to float, while a “krathong" is the small decorated float placed on the water. Traditionally, krathongs are made from a section of banana trunk and banana leaves, then decorated with flowers, a candle and sometimes incense sticks. They are sold at markets and around festival areas and some places also offer the chance to make your own.

The tradition has several religious and cultural meanings. Many people give thanks to Phra Mae Khongkha, the goddess of water and ask forgiveness for using and polluting waterways. For others, it is a moment to let go of what they want to leave behind, make a wish or look ahead with the idea of a fresh start.

The origins of Loy Krathong are not firmly established. The festival is often linked to the former capital of Sukhothai and the legendary figure Nang Nopphamat. The story has become an important part of the tradition, although historians do not consider it conclusively proven. Whatever meaning people attach to the festival, floating a krathong remains the most personal moment of the evening for many.

What happens on the night of Loy Krathong?

During the day, Loy Krathong can feel much like any other travel day. By late afternoon, stalls selling krathongs begin to appear around rivers, lakes, parks and temples. Depending on the location, there may also be small markets, food stalls, music and cultural performances.

The main ritual begins after dark. The candle is lit before the krathong is gently placed on the water. Some people pause to make a wish or see the drifting krathong as a way to leave worries behind. Families, couples and groups of friends gather around the water and even smaller celebrations usually become livelier as the evening goes on.

What happens beyond that depends heavily on the location. Parades, illuminated floats, fireworks and large stage shows are not part of every Loy Krathong celebration. You normally do not need a ticket simply to float a krathong. Organized events, river cruises, special dinners and designated lantern events may charge admission.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng – What is the difference?

In Chiang Mai, Loy Krathong and Yi Peng take place at the same time, but they are not interchangeable names for the same festival. Loy Krathong is celebrated across much of Thailand and revolves around floating krathongs on the water.

Yi Peng comes from the Lanna tradition of northern Thailand. Temples, streets and homes are decorated with candles and different kinds of lanterns. These include khom loi, the sky lanterns that rise using heated air. The familiar photographs of a night sky filled with lanterns are therefore associated mainly with Chiang Mai and Yi Peng.

Sky lanterns cannot be released freely in and around Chiang Mai. Because of the airport and the risk of fire, restrictions apply to both location and timing and may change from year to year. Large coordinated lantern releases usually take place at designated events outside the densely built-up city center and may require a paid ticket. Anyone visiting Chiang Mai primarily for the lanterns should not expect to see them rising freely throughout the Old City.

Where to celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand

Loy Krathong is celebrated across Thailand, but the atmosphere and scale change considerably from one place to another. Chiang Mai combines the festival with Yi Peng, Sukhothai brings the celebration into its historic temple grounds, while Bangkok and Phuket are easier to fold into a trip that may already be planned. The biggest celebration is not automatically the best choice.

Chiang Mai – Celebrating Loy Krathong and Yi Peng together

Chiang Mai is the best-known place to experience Loy Krathong alongside the northern Thai traditions of Yi Peng. The Old City, temples and streets are decorated with paper lanterns and candles. Cultural events often take place around Tha Phae Gate, while crowds gather along the Ping River and near Nawarat Bridge to float their krathongs. Depending on the annual program, illuminated parade floats may also move through the city.

Anyone traveling mainly for the photographs of thousands of sky lanterns needs to plan more carefully. Large releases on that scale are not part of the free public program in central Chiang Mai. They usually take place at organized events outside the city center, where a ticket and separate transportation are required. Within the city, decorated temples, processions, Lanna traditions and the activity along the river play a much larger role.

Chiang Mai is worth planning around when the festival is a major part of the trip. Rooms in the Old City and along the Ping River are in high demand around Yi Peng. Road closures and heavier evening traffic also make a walkable location particularly useful. Our selection of the best Hotels in Chiang Mai can help when choosing where to stay.

Sukhothai – Lights among the temple ruins

Sukhothai is closely associated with the history of Loy Krathong. Celebrations take place in Sukhothai Historical Park, where candles and lanterns illuminate temple ruins, ponds and Buddha images after dark. Krathongs float across the water among the historic structures, while the wider festival often includes traditional performances, markets, processions and light displays.

Unlike in many other places, Loy Krathong in Sukhothai is not limited to the full-moon night. In 2026, the Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival runs from November 15 to 24 in Sukhothai Historical Park. Anyone traveling specifically for the festival should plan at least one overnight stay and check the current program and ticketed events in advance.

Sukhothai is particularly appealing when the festival itself is a major reason for the trip. The historical park shapes the entire evening and gives the celebration a very different character from Bangkok or Phuket. Accommodation and transport options are more limited than in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, so early planning is worthwhile.

Bangkok – Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya River

In Bangkok, Loy Krathong is spread across several parts of the city. Depending on the year, events take place along the Chao Phraya River, canals, public parks, temples and around major shopping centers. There is no single location where the entire festival comes together.

Along the river, the evening can include illuminated waterfronts, boats and views of temples. River cruises and special dinners offer a comfortable way to spend Loy Krathong and often require reservations, but they tend to make the cruise or meal the focus rather than floating a krathong itself. Public parks and local celebrations are usually more straightforward if taking part in the tradition matters more.

Choosing an event near your hotel is often more practical than crossing Bangkok for the biggest celebration. Roads around the river can become crowded and taxis may take considerably longer in the evening. BTS, MRT and the regular Chao Phraya boats make some areas easier to reach, although they do not serve every event directly. Participating parks, temples and riverfront areas are announced again each year.

Bangkok lets you experience Loy Krathong as part of a city stay without dedicating several travel days to the festival. You can choose between a public celebration, a temple visit or a longer evening along the Chao Phraya River.

Phuket – Loy Krathong during a beach vacation

In Phuket, Loy Krathong is smaller and more local than in Chiang Mai or Sukhothai. Local municipalities and temples organize their own celebrations in public parks, around lakes and at some beaches. Rawai and areas around Saphan Hin have hosted events in past years, although the exact program changes annually.

We have celebrated Loy Krathong in Laguna Phuket several times over the years. On our visits, food stalls and krathong stands lined the water near Angsana Laguna Phuket, with live music and different performances on stage. The atmosphere changes after dark, when more people gather by the lake, light the candles and set their krathongs on the water. Even with a large crowd, it has always felt welcoming and personal. Laguna remains one of our favorite places in Phuket to celebrate Loy Krathong.

In Phuket, the festival can fit naturally into an ordinary vacation day. A local celebration can easily follow a day at the beach and still leave time for dinner afterward. If you are still planning your stay, our selection of the best Hotels in Phuket offers more guidance on location and surroundings. Travelers looking for a multi-day festival with large processions and a more extensive program will find more of that in Chiang Mai or Sukhothai.

Krathongs are sometimes floated from beaches in Phuket. In Laguna, we have experienced the festival around a lake rather than on the open sea. Wherever you celebrate, use only designated areas where the krathongs can be collected afterward.

Which place is best for Loy Krathong?

When Loy Krathong is a major part of the trip, Chiang Mai and Sukhothai offer the more extensive festival programs. Chiang Mai adds Yi Peng, Lanna traditions and decorated temples. In Sukhothai, the historical park, illuminated ruins and water features set the tone for the evening.

Bangkok and Phuket are easier choices when the itinerary is already set. In Bangkok, a public celebration can be combined with an evening along the Chao Phraya River. Phuket works well for a smaller local event during a beach vacation.

The choice comes down largely to the role you want Loy Krathong to play in the trip. Chiang Mai and Sukhothai are worth planning around. In Bangkok and Phuket, the festival can more easily become part of a stay you were already planning.

Practical tips for Loy Krathong

Main venues and schedules are often confirmed only a few weeks or months before the festival. This is particularly true in Bangkok and Phuket, where official events can shift between different parks, temples and waterfront areas from year to year. Check the latest announcements from local authorities or the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) shortly before your visit.

In Chiang Mai and Sukhothai, book accommodation and transportation early. For a paid Yi Peng event with a coordinated sky-lantern release, check the ticket inclusions carefully. The venue, transfers and schedule vary between organizers.

For the evening itself, it is usually better to choose one area and stay there. Moving between several venues can quickly turn into long waits once road closures and heavy traffic begin. Some cash is useful for krathongs, food and smaller local stalls.

At temples and religious ceremonies, cover your shoulders and knees. Give other people space at the water's edge when floating a krathong. Do not touch or retrieve krathongs that are already on the water.

Loy Krathong with children

Loy Krathong can work well with children, especially at smaller events in parks, resorts or around lakes. Earlier in the evening is usually easier than later, when paths and waterfront areas become much more crowded.

Open flames, water and dense crowds still require close attention. Young children should float their krathong only with an adult. Large events with fireworks, long processions or a late journey back are not automatically the most family-friendly choice. A smaller celebration close to the hotel is often easier than the best-known event.

Krathongs and the environment

Even a krathong made from natural materials becomes waste if it cannot be collected from the water afterward. Small krathongs made from banana trunk, banana leaves and flowers are the better choice. Styrofoam and plastic should be avoided, along with wire, nails, staples and other materials that can remain in the water.

Couples and families do not need one krathong for every person. Sharing one reduces the amount that later has to be removed from the water. Choose a designated or enclosed water area where the krathongs can be collected afterward.

Along Thailand's coast, avoid releasing a krathong directly into the open sea. Wind and currents can carry even natural materials far offshore before they break down completely. In Phuket, follow the rules of the local event and use a designated water area whenever possible.

Is Loy Krathong worth experiencing?

Loy Krathong combines a personal ritual with celebrations that can look very different depending on the location. Markets, music, cultural performances, processions, decorated temples or illuminated waterfronts may all be part of the evening. The krathong itself remains the quieter, more personal part of the festival.

For many people, the krathong represents gratitude toward the water, a personal wish and the idea of a fresh start. That combination is part of what makes Loy Krathong distinctive. The celebration can be large and lively or small and local without changing the meaning of the central tradition.

You do not need to build an entire Thailand trip around Loy Krathong for the festival to be worthwhile. If you are already in the country around the date, a smaller local celebration can still offer a meaningful way to experience the tradition. If Loy Krathong is one of the main reasons for traveling, choose the destination deliberately and allow time for the wider festival program. If you visit Thailand at another time of year, Songkran in April offers a very different nationwide festival.

Frequently asked questions about Loy Krathong

When is Loy Krathong in 2026?

Loy Krathong falls on Tuesday, November 24, 2026. Larger festival programs may begin a few days earlier and continue beyond the full-moon night.

Are Loy Krathong and Yi Peng the same festival?

No. Loy Krathong centers on decorated krathongs floated on the water. Yi Peng is a northern Thai festival rooted in the Lanna tradition and is associated with decorative lanterns, candles and sky lanterns. In Chiang Mai, the two festivals take place at the same time.

Where is the best place to experience Loy Krathong?

Chiang Mai is a strong choice for combining Loy Krathong with Yi Peng, while Sukhothai celebrates among historic temple ruins. Bangkok fits easily into a city stay and Phuket offers smaller local events during a beach vacation.

Do you need a ticket for Loy Krathong?

Public celebrations and floating a krathong normally do not require a ticket. Organized Yi Peng events, river cruises, special dinners and some festival areas may charge admission.

Can tourists float their own krathong?

Yes. Visitors can take part in the tradition. Choose a krathong made from natural materials and float it only in a designated area.

Can you release a sky lantern yourself in Chiang Mai?

Only in places and at times where it is explicitly permitted. Because of the airport and fire-safety risks, restrictions in Chiang Mai can change from year to year. In the city center, do not release a sky lantern unless there is clear permission to do so.

Is Loy Krathong a public holiday in Thailand?

No. Loy Krathong is not a nationwide public holiday. Shops, restaurants and attractions generally remain open, although road closures and traffic disruptions are possible around larger event areas.