Loy Krathong (2026): Bangkok vs Chiang Mai Guide
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Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 24. If you want to float a krathong (a small decorated vessel) on the water, Bangkok is the better fit. If you want to see lights spread across the city and the sky, head to Chiang Mai. Note that you cannot freely release khom loi (sky lanterns) inside the city. This guide covers dates, venues, rules and preparation so you can plan before you travel.
When Is Loy Krathong 2026?
Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 24. It takes place on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, so the date moves every year.
Here are the dates by year.
| Year | Loy Krathong date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | November 5 |
| 2026 | November 24 |
| 2027 | November 13 |
Four points are worth keeping in mind.
- Loy Krathong is held on the full moon day of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar.
- Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng falls on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar, so it coincides with Loy Krathong.
- The large CAD-organised event in Chiang Mai runs on November 24-25.
- Re-check the dates against official announcements shortly before you go.
Loy Krathong is a festival of giving thanks to water by floating a krathong. Locally, it is understood as thanks to the water goddess. There is also a saying that when two krathong float side by side, they stand for eternal love. People sometimes add things such as fingernail clippings to the krathong, a custom meant to send old bad luck away on the water. Some krathong are built on a base of banana trunk and leaves.
November 24 is a Tuesday, so it is unlikely to fit neatly into a weekend trip. It works best to avoid packing the days before and after. A simple plan is to sightsee during the day, move to the waterside in the evening, and float your krathong at night. Crowds gather on festival nights, so decide how you will get back before you go out.
Where Can You Float a Krathong in Bangkok?
In Bangkok, krathong are floated along the Chao Phraya River, canals and public parks. Specific venues change from year to year, so check official announcements shortly before the festival.
How to Find a Venue
- On the day after the 2016 festival, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration collected 661,935 lanterns from rivers, canals and other waterways. That shows how widely krathong are floated across the city.
- Lumphini Park has also been recorded as a floating spot in the past (photographed in 2007).
- Check venues, opening hours and access restrictions through announcements from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
- Look up waterside spots and parks near your hotel on Google Maps in advance so you can move easily.
- You will be out more at night, so a hotel near the river or close to a station is convenient.
Choose a Krathong Made of Natural Materials
Choose a krathong built on banana trunk and leaves. Of the lanterns collected in 2016, 617,901 (93.7%) were made of biodegradable materials. Another 44,034 were made of Styrofoam.
The clean-up involved 210 workers and 45 boats, and the waste collected came to about 6 tonnes. As a visitor, the rule of thumb is simple: pick a natural-material krathong and avoid Styrofoam.
Reaching the Water on a River Tour
You can also get out onto the water with a river cruise or tour. Availability and prices vary by day. Check booking status around November 24 on Klook’s Bangkok activities page.
How Is Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng (Khom Loi) Different?
In Chiang Mai, Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are celebrated at the same time. The big difference from Bangkok is that lights spread across three places: the water, the trees and buildings, and the sky.
| Item | Bangkok | Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| Festival identity | Loy Krathong | Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are held together |
| Main scenery | Krathong drift along rivers and canals | Lights spread across the water, trees and buildings, and the sky |
| Sky lanterns | Seen as a problem because they endanger aircraft | Cannot be released inside the city |
| Best for | People who want to float a krathong casually | People who want to take in the lights of the whole city |
Yi Peng is a festival that grew out of Lanna culture. It is also a religious occasion for making merit. On Loy Krathong night, small unglazed clay cups with candles are lit across Chiang Mai.
The Large CAD-Organised Event
- The dates are November 24-25, 2026.
- Tickets cost 4,900-16,900 THB (roughly US$140-480).
- It is a large-scale khom loi release with more than 20,000 participants.
- Shows include fire performances, traditional Northern Thai dance and an orchestra.
- Purchases are non-refundable.
- A ticket URL is said to arrive within 24 hours of payment.
- Parking is free, but as of 2023 a shuttle package was required. Check the conditions for 2026 on the purchase page.
Rules If You Go on Your Own
At designated public areas, you can float a krathong for free. However, you cannot release khom loi inside the city.
Releasing one in a restricted area can bring up to five years in prison and a fine of 200,000 THB. Areas near flight paths in particular are treated very strictly. Check the official zone guide for permitted release areas.
If you want to compare the two cities as places to live, see Chiang Mai vs Bangkok: Which Is Better to Live In?. Even among Thai festivals, this one feels completely different from Songkran, as our complete guide to Songkran shows.
How Should You Plan Getting Around, Crowds and Preparation?
For a night festival, arrive early and settle your way back before you go. Prioritise three things when preparing: dates, accommodation and rule checks.
Getting Around on the Day
- Reach the waterside while it is still light, and note the spot and the way back.
- Decide on your ride-hailing or train option for the return trip before you head out.
- For the CAD event, the official FAQ as of 2023 said a shuttle package was required. Confirm the 2026 conditions on the purchase page.
- The CAD event draws more than 20,000 participants. Allow extra time for entering and leaving the venue.
- Waterside ground gets wet easily, so wear shoes that grip.
- Carry as little as possible and keep valuables on your person.
Preparing Before You Travel
- Book flights and accommodation around November 24 early.
- For places to stay, our guide to the hostel scene in Bangkok and Chiang Mai is a useful reference.
- To get a feel for local prices, read our guide to the cost of living in Thailand.
- If you are travelling with children, also check our guide to a family trip to Bangkok with kids and our list of 10 kids’ cafes in Bangkok.
- If you want a night view before or after the festival, see our guide to rooftop bars in Bangkok.
- Check the khom loi penalties before you leave. They can reach up to five years in prison and a fine of 200,000 THB.
Always re-check dates against official announcements shortly before you go. Ticketed events are non-refundable, so apply only once your itinerary is settled.
Where Should You Eat Before or After Floating a Krathong?
Before or after the krathong, it is safest to eat early and a little away from the crowded waterside. Choosing by the type of dish you want makes it easier to narrow down a restaurant.
- If you want a spicy soup to warm up, 5 great tom yum goong spots in Bangkok will help.
- For something light, our guide to the best khao man gai in Bangkok is a good fit.
- For a proper dinner, see 10 Isan restaurants in Bangkok.
- At the CAD event venue, fruit, snacks and drinks from around Thailand are on offer, and many dishes are said to be cooked on the spot.
- Check opening hours on Google Maps or similar shortly before you go.
A rough flow looks like this. Finish dinner in the early evening and head to the water before dark. After floating your krathong, decide on your way back first, then join the flow of people. Festival nights tend to run late, so choosing a place where you can eat quickly leaves you some breathing room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Date Is Loy Krathong 2026?
Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 24. It takes place on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, so the date shifts every year. Confirm the date with official announcements shortly before you travel.
Can You Release Khom Loi Freely in Chiang Mai?
No. Releasing khom loi inside the city is not allowed. Releasing one in a restricted area can bring up to five years in prison and a fine of 200,000 THB. Check the official zone guide for permitted release areas.
Where Can You Float a Krathong in Bangkok?
Krathong are floated along the Chao Phraya River, canals and public parks. Venues change from year to year, so check official announcements from the city or the Tourism Authority of Thailand shortly before the festival, and look up waterside spots near your hotel on Google Maps in advance.
How Much Are Tickets for the CAD Event?
Tickets cost 4,900-16,900 THB (roughly US$140-480). Purchases are non-refundable, so buy only once your itinerary is fixed. A ticket URL is said to arrive within 24 hours of payment. Check the 2026 conditions on the purchase page.
What Material Should You Choose for a Krathong?
Natural materials such as banana trunk and leaves are recommended. In Bangkok in 2016, 93.7% of the lanterns collected were made of biodegradable materials, while 44,034 were Styrofoam. As a visitor, avoid Styrofoam krathong whenever you can.
Should You Go to Bangkok or Chiang Mai?
Choose Bangkok if you want to float a krathong easily on a river, and Chiang Mai if you want to see large-scale lights spread across the water, the city and the sky. Either way, decide how you will get back on the night before you go.
Summary
Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 24. In Bangkok you can float a krathong along rivers, canals and parks. In Chiang Mai the festival overlaps with Yi Peng, and lights spread across the water, the city and the sky. The CAD-organised event runs on November 24-25 and requires a paid ticket. Because releasing khom loi in a restricted area carries heavy penalties, avoid releasing them on your own. Choose a natural-material krathong and settle your way back before you go.
Image credits
- Photo: Victor Silva / Pexels
- Photo: Dale Mohagan / Pexels
- Photo: NickyNirunNanna / Pexels
- Photo: Vuong / Pexels
