Chiang Mai community guideFREEBIRDCHIANGMAI
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Original illustration of lanterns and a Lanna-inspired roof

NOVEMBER 2026 · CHIANG MAI · YI PENG

Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026: Dates & 7 Venues

A night of lights, with a clear way home.
Plan Chiang Mai’s 2026 lantern festival: city Yi Peng on 23–25 November and major ticketed mass releases on 24–25 November. Compare seven venues, tickets, transfers and the return to Koenji Guest House.

City 23–25 Nov Mass releases 24–25 NovKoenji as your base. Choose a venue and a way home.
Compare venuesStay at Koenji

Original festival illustration: FreeBirdChiangMai / Checked: 14 October 2026 / English edition: unreviewed

Lantern preparations photographed in Chiang Mai in 2013. A reference for sky lanterns, not a photograph of a 2026 event or venue.
Lantern preparations photographed in Chiang Mai in 2013. A reference for sky lanterns, not a photograph of a 2026 event or venue. · Nik Cyclist · CC BY 2.0 · Resized and converted to WebP; metadata removed. Derivative available under the same licence.

01 / FIND YOUR EVENING

Start with the experience you want.

Sky lanterns, floating krathongs and lights around the city are distinct experiences often grouped under one festival name. If a photograph of a mass release inspired your trip, select a specific event outside town first. For local traditions and evening walks, build your plan around the city programme.

Our recommended base is Koenji Guest House. An event ticket's return shuttle often covers only the middle of your journey, not transport from and back to your stay. Confirm collection point, check-in time and city drop-off together before booking.

01

I want a mass sky-lantern release

Choose an event outside town, then compare venue, seat tier, transfers and return arrangements.

Explore →
02

I want lights and local traditions

Explore the city's Yi Peng programme. Choose one walking area for the evening.

Explore →
03

I want a sociable place to stay

Ask Koenji's official channel about a stay and plan a clear route home before going out.

Explore →

02 / VENUE COMPARISON

Compare the venues

Events lie north, east and south of Chiang Mai. Meeting points below refer to the products researched; the instructions on your own ticket take priority.

Scroll horizontally to compare. Select a name for full details.

EventDatesCollection / startTransfer distinction
Chiang Mai city Yi Peng celebrations23–25 Nov 2026Ton Lamyai Market Public ParkWalking and city rides
CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival24–25 Nov 2026MAYA / Convention CentreResearched product includes return
Yeepeng Lanna International, Mae Jo24–25 Nov 2026Central ChiangmaiResearched product includes return
Royal Chiang Mai sky lantern festival24–25 Nov 2026Mercure Chiang MaiOrganiser return adds THB 450
CNX Loy Krathong Sky Lantern Festival24–25 Nov 2026Lanna PolytechnicResearched product includes return
Lanna Lantern Festival at Lanna Space24–25 Nov 2026Central ChiangmaiProduct-specific transfer
Chiang Mai Voyage of Light24–25 Nov 2026Confirm with providerReturn included; pickup unverified
The Ping River in Chiang Mai, photographed in 2018. Context for the first riverside and Old City area only, not a photograph of the other six venues.
The Ping River in Chiang Mai, photographed in 2018. Context for the first riverside and Old City area only, not a photograph of the other six venues. · Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and converted to WebP; metadata removed. Derivative available under the same licence.

03 / EACH VENUE, EACH JOURNEY

Read both journeys for each venue

7 venues / areas shown

VENUE 01

Chiang Mai city Yi Peng celebrations

Ping River & Old City · 23–25 Nov 2026

Government announcement

Choose the city for riverside lights, decorations and local traditions. The 2026 announcement moves the main venue from Tha Phae Gate to Ton Lamyai Market Public Park. This is a different experience from a ticketed mass release outside town.

Plan a city walk; budget separately for food, transport and individual activities

  • Main venue: สวนสาธารณะตลาดต้นลำไย (Ton Lamyai Market Public Park)
  • The large-krathong parade is announced along the Tha Phae Gate–municipal-office route
  • Recheck final event times, street closures and individual locations before going

Getting there from Koenji

  1. Save Koenji's address and check a currently accessible arrival point near Ton Lamyai Market.
  2. Agree a drop-off outside closed streets with the driver, then plan the final part on foot.
  3. Choose one area for the evening instead of trying to cover the gate, Old City and whole riverside at once.

Plan the return first

Choose a meeting landmark outside the densest crowds and off the bridges. Follow local directions at crossings and river steps. These walking areas are not instructions or permission to release sky lanterns.

Koenji → city main-venue areaSearch the venue name on Maps

Map estimates are not festival arrival guarantees. Follow your ticket pin.

Sources / current conditions: Thai PRD, Chiang Mai radio (24 Sep 2026)

VENUE 02

CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival

Mae On · 24–25 Nov 2026

2026 authorised-agent information

A structured evening combining food, cultural programming and a mass release at the CAD Cultural Center Lanna in Mae On. MAYA and the convention centre in town are shuttle meeting points, not the festival venue.

THB 4,900–15,900 (seller's listed seat tiers)

  • This seller lists MAYA fountain for Elite/Platinum and the convention centre for Gold/Premium/VIP/Standard
  • Listed collection window: 13:00–15:00; follow your own voucher rather than relying on a final backup departure
  • The published programme places release around 20:15 and return departure around 20:45; timing can change

Getting there from Koenji

  1. Check the seller and seat tier on your own ticket before selecting MAYA or the convention centre. Do not mix transport rules from another package.
  2. Arrange Koenji-to-collection transport separately. Check the entrance and current pickup instructions with the driver.
  3. After check-in, use the shuttle included in your booking. Ask the seller before planning to arrive directly at the venue.

Plan the return first

The seller lists MAYA, Night Bazaar and convention-centre return options. Confirm the stop for your actual vehicle before boarding, then arrange the last leg to Koenji separately. Do not assume hotel drop-off is included.

Koenji → search collection routeKoenji → search MAYA routeSearch the venue name on Maps

Map estimates are not festival arrival guarantees. Follow your ticket pin.

Sources / current conditions: TOP DESTINATIONS, listed CAD authorised agent

VENUE 03

Yeepeng Lanna International, Mae Jo

San Sai / Mae Jo · 24–25 Nov 2026

Event's direct ticket site

The event takes place at Thudongkhasathan Lanna in the Mae Jo area. Do not navigate to Mae Jo University itself. Direct-sale tickets and travel-agency packages can have different prices and transfer arrangements.

Standard THB 4,500 / Premium THB 6,000 (sale prices when checked)

  • The direct-sale homepage lists 10:00–13:00 check-in, boarding and physical-ticket collection at Central Festival Chiang Mai
  • Sold with return transport; verify the exact check-in area and return assembly instructions on your confirmation
  • The organiser states there is no ordinary private-vehicle parking; group arrangements require separate contact

Getting there from Koenji

  1. Travel from Koenji to Central Chiangmai, formerly Central Festival. This is not Central Chiangmai Airport mall; check the pin.
  2. Find the check-in area on your paid confirmation. Your booking's latest instructions take precedence over general homepage guidance.
  3. Board the event shuttle and match the venue to the event booked; do not assume a similarly named temple or university is the destination.

Plan the return first

Return transport does not imply a ride to Koenji's door. At check-in, confirm the return assembly point, departure signal and city drop-off, then plan the final ride to the guesthouse.

Koenji → search collection routeSearch the venue name on Maps

Map estimates are not festival arrival guarantees. Follow your ticket pin.

Sources / current conditions: YLI Ticket, 2026 direct-sale information

VENUE 04

Royal Chiang Mai sky lantern festival

Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort · 24–25 Nov 2026

Organiser TTB PLUS, Japanese information

A useful option for readers who want booking conditions in Japanese. TTB PLUS lists the Royal Chiang Mai golf venue. Ticket-only and transfer-inclusive options differ, so choose the transport arrangement before planning your trip.

Standard THB 4,499 / VIP THB 6,499; return shuttle adds THB 450

  • Guests who add the organiser's shared return transfer meet at Mercure Chiang Mai between 15:00 and 16:30
  • Published programme: release around 20:05, departure from the venue by about 21:30; weather and programme delays are possible
  • The organiser states payments are non-refundable; read the weather and cancellation provisions before paying

Getting there from Koenji

  1. If you choose a transfer-inclusive ticket, arrange Koenji-to-Mercure transport yourself and check the address and collection instructions.
  2. For ticket-only bookings, secure both journeys and the driver's waiting/meeting arrangements before paying. A one-way app ride is not a return plan.
  3. Transfer guests check in at Mercure and board the organiser's vehicle. This does not require a stay at Mercure.

Plan the return first

The organiser's return transfer drops guests at Mercure Chiang Mai. Arrange the last leg to Koenji separately. The lantern-release time is not your city arrival time; allow time for loading and traffic.

Koenji → search collection routeSearch the venue name on Maps

Map estimates are not festival arrival guarantees. Follow your ticket pin.

Sources / current conditions: TTB PLUS, official 2026 Japanese information

VENUE 05

CNX Loy Krathong Sky Lantern Festival

CNX Miracle Land, Mae Taeng · 24–25 Nov 2026

Provincial tourism office & event information

Held at CNX Miracle Land in Mae Taeng. This is separate from CAD and similarly named Doi Saket hot-spring packages. Compare transfer vehicles and meal provisions as well as the headline price.

Deluxe THB 3,500 / VIP THB 5,000 / Elite THB 9,800 (listed prices)

  • Published meeting point: Lanna Polytechnic Chiang Mai Technological College parking area, 13:00–16:00
  • Deluxe lists return songthaew transport; VIP/Elite list upgraded shuttles. Follow your ticket's boarding instructions
  • Release is listed for 20:20–21:00 and return vehicles from 20:45; the first departure is not a compulsory early exit

Getting there from Koenji

  1. Arrange Koenji-to-Lanna Polytechnic transport separately, using the ticket's exact parking-area pin rather than a similarly named college.
  2. Check your seat tier, party size and return vehicle at reception before boarding. The ride from your stay is a separate cost.
  3. Show the driver the collection instructions for CNX Miracle Land; do not mix them with a direct-to-venue plan.

Plan the return first

Confirm the exact city drop-off and final boarding signal on your confirmation or at reception. Return transport alone does not mean Koenji drop-off; save the final-leg route.

Koenji → search collection routeSearch the venue name on Maps

Map estimates are not festival arrival guarantees. Follow your ticket pin.

Sources / current conditions: CNX ticket information / Chiang Mai provincial Tourism and Sports officeGovernment event announcement

VENUE 06

Lanna Lantern Festival at Lanna Space

Doi Ti area, Lamphun · 24–25 Nov 2026

New venue announcement; seller's itinerary

This event uses the new Lanna Space venue in Lamphun, south of Chiang Mai. Do not assume it is at the older Gassan Panorama venue. The transfer information here belongs to the seller's specific product.

Check the current total for your tier, eligibility and transfer option

  • Seller's meeting point: outside parking by the first-floor KFC gate at Central Festival, registration 13:00–15:00
  • Published outbound transfer window: 15:00–16:30. Vehicles and transfer inclusion vary by tier and product
  • Detailed direct-organiser terms and return times were not verified; obtain current instructions from your booking provider

Getting there from Koenji

  1. Arrange Koenji-to-Central Chiangmai transport. YLI uses the same mall name, but has a different check-in area, time and staff.
  2. Obtain the Lanna Space / LLF 2026 venue pin and return drop-off from the seller before finalising your plan.
  3. If organiser and agency descriptions differ, clarify the exact product before paying.

Plan the return first

Even a round-trip product requires confirmation of the return time and drop-off. Leave the next morning flexible and allow time for the journey from Lamphun back to the city.

Koenji → search collection routeSearch the venue name on Maps

Map estimates are not festival arrival guarantees. Follow your ticket pin.

Sources / current conditions: Thai Fest Ticket's published 2026 conditions

VENUE 07

Chiang Mai Voyage of Light

Pa Miang, Doi Saket · 24–25 Nov 2026

Official information; reconfirm venue and pickup

Current official English information lists Tippaya Villa in Pa Miang. An older language version still names a different site, making venue verification especially important. Do not finalise transport until you have the issued-ticket pin and transfer details.

Standard THB 5,900 / VIP THB 9,900 / Elite THB 14,900 (listed prices)

  • Published transfers: return air-conditioned coach for Standard/VIP and return air-conditioned van for Elite
  • The exact city collection point, collection time and return time were not verified in retrieved information
  • Older Korean FAQ names Wat Phra That Doi Ku; current English names Tippaya Villa. Confirm this discrepancy with the booking provider

Getting there from Koenji

  1. Before booking, request the 2026 venue pin, city pickup point, check-in time and return drop-off together.
  2. Arrange Koenji-to-the-confirmed-meeting-point transport separately. Do not borrow a pickup point from another Doi Saket or hot-spring event.
  3. Until the conflicting venue names are resolved for your ticket, avoid booking a direct ride based on a place-name search alone.

Plan the return first

An included return vehicle does not establish hotel drop-off or a return time. Obtain written instructions from your provider and plan the last leg to Koenji.

Map estimates are not festival arrival guarantees. Follow your ticket pin.

Sources / current conditions: Voyage of Light, current English FAQ

Koenji Guest House dormitory bunks
A dormitory at Koenji Guest House. Capture date is unconfirmed. This does not show a private room or confirm current availability and facilities. · Supplied materials · Publication permission confirmed · Resized and WebP compressed; no crop.

04 / OUR STAY PICK

Stay at Koenji Guest House.

Our recommended base: Koenji Guest House & Bar Chiang Mai, a guesthouse with a bar and shared spaces in Wat Ket, east of the Ping River.

Ask about dormitory and private-room options to suit your party. A familiar base lets you leave excess luggage behind and focus on one evening's experience instead of trying to travel between multiple venues.

For reservations and enquiries, follow the official LINE link on the guesthouse's Instagram profile. Send your preferred dates, party size, room preference, event and expected late return. Verify current availability, prices, cancellation and after-hours access directly with the stay.

This is an editorial stay recommendation. We have not established that Koenji is an official event collection point, ticket office or transfer-inclusive stay. If you ask the guesthouse to arrange transport, confirm availability, price and return arrangements separately.

Koenji Guest House & Bar Chiang Mai
185/4 Thanon Chiang Mai-Lam Phun, Wat Ket, Chiang Mai 50000
Official Instagram → official LINE enquiriesFind KoenjiKoenji photo feature (Japanese)

Guesthouse source: Tourism Authority of Thailand

Before your stay at Koenji Guest House

  1. Check room types and availability.
  2. Confirm bar opening hours and conditions.
  3. Check reservations and directions before visiting.
Original editorial checklist, not a facility or product photograph. See photographs and the official guide. Confirm current opening hours, prices and services with the provider.
Red songthaew vehicles in Chiang Mai, shown as transport context. Not a festival shuttle or evidence of an included transfer.
Red songthaew vehicles in Chiang Mai, shown as transport context. Not a festival shuttle or evidence of an included transfer. · Vishal Chokkala · Unsplash License · Resized and converted to WebP; metadata removed. Derivative available under the same licence.

05 / FOUR LEGS, ONE PLAN

Plan four separate legs

  1. Koenji → collection point
  2. Collection → event venue
  3. Venue → city drop-off
  4. Drop-off → Koenji

Write down a transport plan for all four legs. Many event shuttles cover only the middle return journey. Keep transport from your stay and the final ride back in your own budget.

Check similarly named locations. Central Chiangmai is not Central Chiangmai Airport; CAD is not CNX; a university is not the nearby meditation venue. Save the Thai name, issued-ticket pin and entrance instructions offline.

Do not plan to arrive just in time using an ordinary map estimate. Pickup queues, check-in and road closures add uncertainty. Work backwards from the booking's collection deadline and follow your provider's advice; this guide does not guarantee festival travel times.

Choose the return stop with road access and your last ride in mind. Confirm the vehicle's destination before boarding. Agree one reunion landmark outside the densest crowds and check the guesthouse's night-entry procedure.

A notebook as a reference for recording bookings and costs, not an actual ticket, price list or receipt.
A notebook as a reference for recording bookings and costs, not an actual ticket, price list or receipt. · Yen Vu · Unsplash License · Resized and converted to WebP; metadata removed. Derivative available under the same licence.

06 / A REALISTIC BUDGET

Budget beyond the ticket

Ticket inclusions

Compare seat tier, release experience, food, drinks and transfers. Check child and guardian requirements on the same product.

First and last rides

Allow for Koenji-to-collection and city-drop-off-to-Koenji transport. If sharing, confirm vehicle capacity, luggage and waiting arrangements.

Stay and flexibility

Include room charges, late-return arrangements, cancellation and a little flexibility if weather changes your travel plans.

Before paying

Save the date, attendee name, tier, total, cancellation and weather rules, plus ticket delivery instructions. Enter identity and payment details only with the verified provider.

A Chiang Mai festival procession photographed in 2015, as context for a city evening. It does not show the 2026 programme.
A Chiang Mai festival procession photographed in 2015, as context for a city evening. It does not show the 2026 programme. · DEBA PRASAD ROY · CC0 1.0 · Resized and converted to WebP; metadata removed. Derivative available under the same licence.

07 / THREE NIGHTS IN CHIANG MAI

A three-night plan based at Koenji

An editorial example, not a booking or operating guarantee. Swap the 24th and 25th to match your ticket.

  1. Mon 23 Nov

    Arrive and get your bearings

    Check in, confirm how to return after dark and save tickets and maps offline. If you have energy, visit one area of the city's lights.

  2. Tue 24 Nov

    Make one mass release the focus

    Prepare light luggage and batteries, then reach your ticket's collection point. YLI's direct-sale instructions start in the morning, unlike some afternoon collections. Stay with one event through the return journey.

  3. Wed 25 Nov

    Explore the city at an easier pace

    Rest after a late return. Choose one activity from the latest city programme. Swap this day if your release ticket is for the 25th.

  4. Thu 26 Nov

    Leave time for the next journey

    Check out, confirm airport or station transport and check belongings. Avoid coupling a potentially late festival return with a rushed early departure.

A reference photograph of checking a map on a phone, taken in Sweden. It is not a Chiang Mai route or event map.
A reference photograph of checking a map on a phone, taken in Sweden. It is not a Chiang Mai route or event map. · Hendrik Morkel · Unsplash License · Resized and converted to WebP; metadata removed. Derivative available under the same licence.

08 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Prepare before the day

Checks are for this page view. Printing shows all venues.

Floats and participants in Chiang Mai’s Loi Krathong parade in 2015; not a photograph of a 2026 event or venue.
Chiang Mai’s Loi Krathong parade, 2015. This historical photograph does not show a 2026 event or venue. Photograph by DEBA PRASAD ROY / CC0 1.0. · DEBA PRASAD ROY · CC0 1.0

09 / LIGHTS, CULTURE & CARE

Enjoy the lights with care.

Khom loy rise into the sky; krathongs float on water. Hanging lanterns and small lamps around town are also part of Yi Peng. Look beyond the photograph to local traditions and the work that creates the celebration.

Sky-lantern release affects aircraft and fire safety. Follow designated areas, times and local directions. A riverbank or bridge is not permission to release a lantern. This guide does not recommend bringing your own lanterns or organising an independent release.

Ask before photographing monks and ceremonies. Avoid obstructing other people's view. Check event rules before using drones or other equipment, and follow the venue's child and guardian conditions around fire.

If weather changes the programme, follow staff directions. Take care on dark river steps and wet paths, keep bridges and exits clear, and follow the venue's materials and waste-collection rules.

Emergency contacts and guidance · Disaster guidance

10 / QUESTIONS BEFORE BOOKING

Questions before booking

Can I watch or release lanterns for free?

A city walk and admission to a ticketed event are different. Without current local-event and permission information, we cannot promise a free release spot. Respect private property, traffic rules and safety directions when viewing from outside.

Can I visit two ticketed venues in one evening?

Travel, check-in and programmes overlap. Plan one venue per evening and another experience on a different day. Matching a release time alone does not establish that you can enter late.

Does a Koenji stay include event pickup?

We have not verified such a service. Koenji is our recommended stay; collection-point transport is separate. Ask the guesthouse directly if you want help arranging a vehicle, and confirm the price and return conditions.

Can I rely on the map's journey time?

Ordinary estimates may exclude closures, check-in queues and boarding waits. Work backwards from your confirmation's deadline and leave the margin recommended by the provider.

Will I get a refund if it rains?

There is no universal rule. Rain delays, cancellation and force-majeure provisions vary by product. Read the specific terms and ask your seller before paying.

Can I book a stay or event on this website?

Booking and payment take place with the stay, organiser or seller. Links in this feature are currently ordinary external links. Do not send passports, card details or private authentication codes to this website.

Sources and verification

Checked 14 October 2026. Government and organiser announcements are separated from seller-specific products. This is not verification of every permit, on-site delivery or availability. Recheck programme, prices and collection instructions when booking and before departure.

Koenji is an editorial stay recommendation. This feature currently uses ordinary external links; no paid tracking links for stays or event tickets have been added. Booking, payment and personal details belong with the official provider.