Yi Peng Lantern Festival

The Yi Peng Festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant cultural event celebrated primarily in the northern regions of Thailand. It coincides with the Loy Krathong Festival, which is celebrated throughout Thailand, and together they create a spectacular display of lights during the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, usually around mid-November.

Yi Peng is renowned for its floating sky lanterns, known as khom loi, which are believed to carry away bad luck and pay respect to the ancestors in heaven. These lanterns, made from rice paper and bamboo, are filled with hot air from a small candle or fuel cell, causing them to rise gently into the sky. The sight of thousands of glowing lanterns against the night sky is a breathtaking and spiritually significant experience.

In addition to the sky lanterns, Yi Peng features the phang prateep, small clay candles lit as part of a Lanna tradition to make one's life shine as brightly as the candles. These are often seen in clusters, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere during the festival.

Loy Krathong, on the other hand, is a Buddhist festival celebrated nationwide. It involves the release of krathongs, small, intricately decorated floats made from banana leaves, flowers, and candles, into rivers or lakes to honor the Goddess of Water. This act represents a symbolic cleansing and an opportunity to make wishes for the future.

The Chiang Mai Lantern Festival is a unique blend of these two traditions, offering visitors an unforgettable experience of Thai culture and spirituality. The exact dates of the festival vary each year, but it typically takes place in November, attracting locals and tourists alike to participate in the mass-lantern release event and other festivities.