Loy Krathong Chiang Mai 2026: Dates, Yi Peng and Your Stay

Loy Krathong Chiang Mai festivities follow the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. In 2026, the full moon falls on Tuesday 24 November. Chiang Mai Old Town celebrates on 24 and 25 November. The camp holds its own krathong evening on 23 and 24 November. Stay with us before or after your time in the city.

When is the Loy Krathong Chiang Mai festival in 2026?

Chiang Mai Old Town celebrates on 24 and 25 November 2026. The main night is Tuesday 24 November. That is the November full moon in Chiang Mai.

Loy Krathong follows the lunar calendar, so the date shifts each year. In 2025, the main night was 5 November. The Tourism Authority of Thailand listed events across Thailand ending that day.

Events in Chiang Mai span more than one night. Check the official programme for the events on your chosen night.

What is the difference between Loy Krathong and Yi Peng?

Loy Krathong is the national festival of floating baskets. Yi Peng is the Lanna festival of northern Thailand, held at the same time.

Festival	Where	Main tradition
Loy Krathong	All of Thailand	Decorated krathong baskets float on water to let go of misfortune
Yi Peng	Northern Thailand, including Chiang Mai	Paper sky lanterns, called khom loi, are released into the night sky (source)

In Chiang Mai, the two overlap. Our seasonal guide describes krathong as small floats of banana leaves and flowers.

Check the latest local guidance before you release any sky lantern. Follow the instructions at official events.

How do you fit a Bush Camp stay around Loy Krathong?

Stay with us before or after your time in the city. The camp holds its own krathong evening on 23 and 24 November 2026. Chiang Mai Old Town celebrates on 24 and 25 November.

At the camp, guests create their own krathong. After dark, they walk to the Ping River. They float it in a dedicated area. Guests make wishes and welcome new beginnings. In 2025, guests created their krathong and floated them together along the river. In 2024, guests decorated theirs with colourful flowers and natural materials. We have celebrated Loy Krathong at the camp each year since 2023.

Where	Dates in 2026	What happens
The Bush Camp Chiang Mai	23 and 24 November	Make a krathong, then float it on the Ping River
Chiang Mai Old Town	24 and 25 November	Lanterns and cultural celebrations in the city

The camp sits on the Ping River, about two hours from Chiang Mai airport. Both packages include transfers from Chiang Mai, with meals and activities. Guests arrive by lunchtime. On day two, the return to Chiang Mai takes place in the early afternoon.

Package	Elephant sessions	Best for
2 Days 1 Night	Two	Limited time, with a meaningful elephant experience
3 Days 2 Nights	Three, with a free afternoon by the infinity pool	A slower pace, with time to rest

Our guide to choosing between one night and two explains the difference in more detail. Contact our team to confirm the krathong evening for your dates.

What is Chiang Mai like in late November?

Late November is the start of the cool season, with comfortable days and cool evenings. Our cool season guide gives the season as November through February.

Daytime temperatures average 20 to 26°C. Evenings cool to 10 to 15°C, with mist rising from the hills in the morning. Elephants are more active in cooler weather and spend longer hours socialising and foraging.

Pack light clothing for the day and a jumper or light jacket for the evenings. Comfortable shoes suit walking and light hikes.

Every stay includes the Ethical Elephant Experience. Guests help prepare food. The elephants eat it at designated feeding stations in their free-roaming habitat. Guests then watch the elephants behave naturally. Read about the change from 1 May 2026 for more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai in 2026?

Loy Krathong follows the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. In 2026, the full moon falls on Tuesday 24 November. Chiang Mai Old Town celebrates on 24 and 25 November.

Is Yi Peng the same as Loy Krathong?

No, but the two festivals happen together in Chiang Mai. Loy Krathong is celebrated across Thailand with floating krathong baskets. Yi Peng is the northern Lanna tradition of releasing sky lanterns.

Does The Bush Camp Chiang Mai celebrate Loy Krathong?

Yes. Guests create their own krathong. They walk to the Ping River at night to float it. In 2026, our celebration is on 23 and 24 November.

How far is The Bush Camp Chiang Mai from Chiang Mai airport?

The camp is about two hours from Chiang Mai airport. Transfers from Chiang Mai are included in both packages.

What should I pack for Chiang Mai in late November?

Pack light clothing for the day and a jumper or light jacket for the evenings. Comfortable shoes suit walking and light hikes. Daytime temperatures average 20 to 26°C, and evenings cool to 10 to 15°C.