Yi Peng Festival 2025: Magic of Lights and Tradition in Chiang Mai!

Yi Peng Festival 2025: Magic of Lights and Tradition in Chiang Mai!

Chiang Mai is preparing for one of the most spectacular festival of the year: The Yi Peng Lanna Light Festival 2025. Organized by the Visitlanna Association and several partners under the motto "Lanna, Worship & Lights", the event takes place from November 3., 2025. The festival belongs to the ambitious project "Chiang Mai Two Moons 2025" and has set itself the task of continuing the impressive Yi Peng tradition and reflecting on Lanna's cultural beauty. How Chiang Mai Citylife reports, the festival is already being awarded with a high award, because it received the Asia Festival Award 2025 in the "Asia World Heritage City and Festival" category and two Asia Pinnacle Awards for excellent event programs and marketing.

What can visitors expect at the Yi Peng Festival 2025? The opening ceremony on October 1, 2025 in the Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort sets the start of exciting days full of culture and tradition. In addition to press briefings and panel discussions, business matching, special YI PENG menus of renowned restaurants and workshops are also offered. A special highlight is the Grand Yi Peng Parade on November 6th, in which thousands of clay lanterns are illuminated. The ceremony on November 4 and 5, in which the lanterns are released into the sky, also attracts numerous visitors every year. Registration for the ceremony, known as the "Tam Phang Prathip Song Fa Haksa Mueang", is free.

Tradition meets modern festival

The Yi Peng Festival has a long and proud tradition that is closely linked to the old Lanna Buddhism. It was originally introduced to thank the harvest and is now also a symbol for new beginnings. Legend says that a princess let the first lantern to commemorate her father, the king, to the sky. How Living Nomads Added, the festival falls on the full moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar and is celebrated together with the nationwide celebrated Loy Krathong.

Although Yi Peng and Loy Krathong have different traditions, they are both deeply rooted in Thai culture. While Yi Peng emphasizes the release of heavenly lanterns, Loy Krathong focuses on releasing floating Krathong. Visitors can experience the festivities in important places in Chiang Mai, such as Thae Phae Gate, the Ping River or the Wat Phan Tao Temple.

Preparation for the festival

For everyone who wants to experience the Yi Peng Festival, it is advisable to book the tickets early. These are available on trustworthy online travel platforms, official websites of the organizers or from recommended travel agencies. Estimated number of visitors and the anticipation increases noticeably, which is why one should prepare for larger crowds. Another point to consider are the safety precautions for the release of the lanterns to ensure the safety of all participants. So no lanterns may be released in the Chiang Mai city center; Instead, organized lantern clearance takes place around 30 kilometers outside the city, including at the popular Chiang Mai Cad Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival, which enjoys great attractiveness.

In addition to the lantern exemptions, the Festival offers cultural performances and community activities that reflect the healing power of nature and gratitude of people. Do not miss the opportunity to celebrate participatory and enjoy the incomparable atmosphere during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. Visit Chiang May in November - this magical period of the year will surely captivate you!