Thousands of Lanterns to Light Up Chiang Mai: CAD Yi Peng Festival Returns November 24–25, 2026

One of Chiang Mai’s most spectacular nights of the year is set to return. The Chiangmai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2026 will take place on November 24 - 25, inviting travelers from around the world to experience thousands of glowing lanterns rising into the night sky alongside Lanna traditions, cultural performances, local cuisine and the magical atmosphere of Yi Peng.

Few images capture the beauty of Chiang Mai quite like thousands of illuminated lanterns slowly rising into the night sky.

In 2026, this unforgettable scene will return with the Chiangmai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2026, a major Yi Peng lantern event scheduled for November 24 - 25, 2026, at The CAD Cultural Center Lanna in Mae On District, Chiang Mai.

More than simply a lantern release, the festival is designed as an immersive Lanna cultural experience. Visitors can arrive in the afternoon to explore cultural activities, traditional performances and local food before gathering for the highlight of the evening  the synchronized release of thousands of lanterns into the Chiang Mai sky.

When Thousands of Lanterns Transform the Chiang Mai Sky

The defining moment of CAD Yi Peng comes after sunset, when thousands of participants prepare their lanterns and release them into the sky in a coordinated ceremony.

What begins as countless points of light at ground level gradually becomes a glowing canopy overhead, creating one of the most recognizable images associated with Chiang Mai and Thailand’s northern cultural traditions.

For travelers, the experience goes far beyond taking a beautiful photograph. Visitors become part of the moment themselves holding their lanterns, waiting for the ceremony and watching them slowly rise alongside thousands of others.

The result is an extraordinary scene of light across the night sky and a travel experience that has helped make Yi Peng one of Chiang Mai’s most internationally recognized celebrations.

More Than Lanterns: An Evening of Lanna Culture

While the mass lantern release is the visual highlight, CAD Yi Peng offers much more than a single moment in the sky.

Visitors can enter the festival grounds from the afternoon and spend several hours experiencing elements of traditional Lanna culture before the main evening ceremony.

The event brings together cultural performances, arts and traditional activities, local food and desserts, and experiences associated with Yi Peng celebrations.

This combination allows international visitors to experience food, arts, traditions and northern Thai culture in one setting before the evening reaches its spectacular finale.

Yi Peng: A Chiang Mai Tradition That Captivates Travelers Worldwide

Yi Peng is deeply associated with the cultural heritage of northern Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai.

During the festival season, decorative lanterns and lights appear throughout the city, while temples, communities and public spaces host activities celebrating local traditions.

For international travelers, Yi Peng also offers an opportunity to discover another side of Chiang Mai.

Beyond its mountains, temples, cafés and famous northern cuisine, the festival highlights the city’s distinctive Lanna identity and demonstrates how centuries-old cultural traditions can become meaningful travel experiences for visitors from around the world.

Turn the Festival Into an Unforgettable Chiang Mai Getaway

Traveling to Chiang Mai for CAD Yi Peng can easily become the centerpiece of a longer northern Thailand itinerary.

During the day, visitors can explore Chiang Mai’s Old City and historic temples, discover northern Thai cuisine, visit mountain and nature destinations, experience local cafés and markets, or spend time enjoying the city’s growing range of wellness experiences before heading to the festival in the afternoon.

Late November also falls within northern Thailand’s cooler season, making it a popular time to explore Chiang Mai and its surrounding destinations.

International travelers can extend their journey beyond the city to destinations such as Chiang Rai, mountain communities and nature attractions across northern Thailand, transforming a visit to Yi Peng into a broader cultural and nature-focused journey.

Save the Date: November 24 - 25, 2026

The Chiangmai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2026 is scheduled for November 24 and 25, 2026, at The CAD Cultural Center Lanna, Mae On District, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Different ticket categories and transportation arrangements are available for the event. Travelers, particularly international visitors, are encouraged to check ticket conditions, meeting points, transportation schedules and event guidelines in advance through official organizers and authorized ticketing channels.

Above all, CAD Yi Peng offers something that is increasingly valuable in modern travel: the opportunity not simply to see a destination, but to experience its culture and become part of a memorable moment.

For travelers planning a trip to Thailand toward the end of 2026, November 24 - 25 may be two dates worth marking on the calendar  two nights when Lanna culture and the glow of thousands of lanterns will once again illuminate the skies above Chiang Mai.

 

Source : https://faceticket.net/th/product/cad-khomloy-sky-lantern-festival-24-25-november-2026/