Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2024: All Things You Want to Know

Yi Peng Lantern Festival (sometimes written as Yee Peng) in Chiang Mai, Thailand is renowned worldwide for its mesmerizing display of thousands of illuminated lanterns ascending into the night sky over the city. In 2024, it will take place on Nov. 15-16. 

Curious about the meaning behind the Yi Peng Festival and the tradition of flying lanterns? Look no further, as we've compiled all of the essential information you need to know about this captivating celebration.

1. What Is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival?

Yi Peng Festival, also known as the Sky Lantern Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. It typically takes place on the full moon night of November or December in the Gregorian calendar.

During the festival, people gather around temples and palaces in Chiang Mai to release sky lanterns and floating lanterns, symbolizing good luck and blessings.

People often ask: What is the difference between the Yi Peng Lantern Festival and the Loy Krathong Lantern Festival?

Loy Krathong, another traditional Thai festival, often overlaps with Yi Peng, but it features floating lanterns rather than flying lanterns. During Loy Krathong, people float small candlelit boats on waterways while making wishes. See more details below in section 7.

Chiang Mai CAD Mass Lantern Release

2. When Is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2024?

In 2024, the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival will take place on November 15th and 16th. It's important to note that the date changes every year.

The term Yi Peng comes from a Northern Thai language, in which Yi means 'two' or, in this case, 'second' and Peng means 'full moon day(s)', referring to the date of this celebration.

It traditionally occurs on the full moon day in the second month according to the Thai Lanna lunar calendar, which usually falls in November in the Gregorian calendar.

In 2025, the festival will fall on November 5-6, 2025.

3. Why Is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival Celebrated?

Yi Peng Lantern Festival can be traced back to the medieval Lanna Kingdom (1392–1775), which flourished from the late 13th century.

Historically, Yi Peng has been associated with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest season in Thailand. As a result, it is a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest that sustains communities.

Additionally, the festival holds religious significance. It is celebrated as a way to pay homage to the Buddha.

Colorful Lanterns for Yi Peng Festival

4. How Do Thai People Celebrate Yi Peng Lantern Festival?

Traditionally, the most popular practice to celebrate the festival is the launch of khom loi, or flying lanterns, into the night sky. However, due to safety concerns, it is forbidden to float sky lanterns in the downtown area of Chiang Mai.

Nowadays, Lanna people decorate their houses with lanterns and small candles (phang pratheep) during the festival.

However, there are several mass lantern releases on the outskirts of the city, such as the famous Chiang Mai CAD event. You could choose to attend one of them if you want to experience it.

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Moreover, even if you choose not to attend a lantern release event, you could still immerse yourself in the festivities by exploring downtown Chiang Mai. During the Yi Peng Festival, various activities abound, coinciding with the renowned Loy Krathong Festival.

You could partake in a range of experiences, from floating krathongs—small lotus-shaped vessels crafted from banana leaves, flowers, and natural materials—to engaging in ceremonies and rituals held at temples and sacred sites. Additionally, you could enjoy traditional Thai music, dance performances, and cultural displays. 

The Lighting of Phang Pratheep on Yi Peng Festival

5. What Does the Lantern Release Symbolize?

Flying lanterns (khom loy) symbolize good luck, health, prosperity, or fortune. These delicate lanterns are crafted from rice paper and bamboo frames. People often write their hopes, dreams, and wishes on the lanterns.

Buddhists release the lanterns as a way to pay homage to Lord Buddha and follow the teachings of enlightenment.

It is also believed to be a way to release worries and negative energy, while also symbolizing hope and renewal, and if your lantern disappears into the dark before the light goes out, you would have an extremely good year.

6. What Is the Legend Behind the Yi Peng Festival?

In some variations of the Yi Peng Festival legend, there is a story about a mythical bird known as phayung.

According to this legend, during a time of hardship and darkness, a celestial bird with remarkable powers appeared to bring light and hope to the people. The bird carried a candle in its beak, illuminating the night sky and guiding the way for those in need.

Inspired by the bird's selfless act and the light it brought, people began to release lanterns into the sky during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival as a way to symbolize spreading light and dispelling darkness.

This tradition of releasing lanterns is thought to be inspired by the imagery of the mythical bird carrying a candle, and it has become a central aspect of the festival's celebrations.

Lanna Culture in Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng Festival

7. What Is the Difference Between the Yi Peng Festival and the Loy Krathong Lantern Festival?

The Yi Peng Festival and Loy Krathong are both celebrated in Thailand, particularly in the northern region, but they are distinct events with different customs and meanings.

The Yi Peng Lantern Festival (or Yee Peng):

• Yi Peng is predominantly celebrated in the northern region of Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai.
• It is characterized by the release of khom loy, or sky lanterns, into the night sky. These lanterns symbolize good luck, prosperity, and the release of worries and negative energy.
• Yi Peng is deeply rooted in Lanna culture and traditions, dating back to the ancient Lanna Kingdom.
• The festival has strong Buddhist connections, with lantern releases serving as a way to pay homage to Lord Buddha and seek enlightenment.

Release Sky Lanterns in Yi Peng Festival

Loy Krathong Festival:

• Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand at a similar time of year to Yi Peng, with significant festivities in various regions, including Bangkok and Sukhothai.
• The highlight of Loy Krathong is the floating of krathongs, which are small lotus-shaped vessels made from banana leaves, flowers, and other natural materials, onto rivers, canals, and lakes.
• Krathongs are floated as offerings to the water goddess, Mae Khongkha, to express gratitude, ask for forgiveness, and symbolically release negative emotions.
• While Loy Krathong also has Buddhist roots, it incorporates animistic beliefs and customs related to water worship.

Release Water Lanterns in Loy Krathong Festival

8. How Is the Sky Lantern Released?

Do you wonder how the sky lantern is released? Here are the steps for your information, along with a video. 

1. Take the lantern out of the packaging.
2. Open the lantern gently to allow air in. Slowly and gently open the lantern to allow air to fill it completely, ensuring it's fully expanded without any tears.
3. Hold the lantern steady and flip it over to access the fuel source.
4. If you're in a limited space, hold the lantern lower to the ground to avoid any potential fire hazards while waiting for it to heat up.
5. Exercise patience and wait for approximately 2 minutes for the lantern to fully expand and become buoyant.
6. Once fully expanded, lift the lantern to chest level. Make a wish or say a prayer, and then release it safely into the air.