Loy Krathong: Thailand’s Festival of Lights
My 80-year-old mum was visiting from Australia, and we wanted to take her to dinner by the river for Loy Krathong. It was the first time we’d seen krathongs made from solid fish food instead of banana trunk, and we’ve made ours that way ever since. After dinner, we walked down and put our krathongs in the water. Mum loved the lights stretching along both sides of the river, and laughed as the fish went straight for her krathong, slowing it right down on its way out to sea.
Loy Krathong is Thailand’s enchanting Festival of Lights, held annually on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. In 2026, that falls on November 25. This year gives you the perfect chance to experience one of Southeast Asia’s most photogenic festivals, whether you’re releasing a krathong in Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River or launching a sky lantern in the northern hills.
This isn’t just a pretty festival for Instagram (though yes, your photos will be incredible). Loy Krathong carries deep spiritual meaning for Thai people—a night to let go of negativity, honor the water goddess, and start fresh. You’ll feel that intention in the air as locals and travelers alike participate in this centuries-old tradition.
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Songkran is the big festival of the year, lasting over four days, and you get very, very wet. Loy Kratong is a single day. It’s more spiritual and a beautiful gathering of people to embrace change and look forward.
There’s one more mix-up worth sorting out before you plan your trip, though: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng aren’t the same festival, even though most people lump them together
Loy Krathong vs Yi Peng: what’s the difference?
These two festivals happen at the same time and both involve light, so it’s easy to mix them up. They’re not the same thing.
Loy Krathong is the national festival, celebrated across Thailand. It’s about floating a decorated krathong on water, whether that’s a river, a lake, a canal or the sea, to carry away the past year’s troubles.
Yi Peng is specific to the north, mainly Chiang Mai. It’s the lantern release, thousands of paper lanterns sent up into the sky at once. That’s the photo most people have seen and assumed was Loy Krathong.
Both fall on the same full moon night because they follow the same lunar calendar. Chiang Mai is the only place where you’ll get both together, krathongs on the Ping River and lanterns filling the sky at the same time.
If you only want the water offering, you can do that anywhere in Thailand. If you want the lantern release, you need to be in Chiang Mai or nearby in Chiang Rai.
Best Time to Visit Thailand for Loy Krathong
November is genuinely one of the best months to visit Thailand, festival or not. The monsoon rains have tapered off, temperatures drop to comfortable levels (especially in the north), and the countryside glows green from months of rainfall. You’re hitting that sweet spot before peak tourist season kicks in around Christmas.
Book your accommodation early if you’re heading to Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, or Ayutthaya—these cities fill up fast around Loy Krathong. I learned this the hard way my first year and ended up in a guesthouse 30 minutes outside the old city. Start looking at least 2-3 months ahead for the best locations.
The festival itself happens on one main evening, but cities like Chiang Mai stretch festivities across 3-4 days. You’ll find parades, beauty pageants, traditional dance performances, and food markets leading up to the big night. If your schedule allows, build in those extra days. The pre-festival atmosphere is half the fun.
In 2026 Loy Krathong falls on the 25th of November
Let me introduce you to the light and water festival that is Loy Krathong.
Origins of Loy Krathong: The Historical Significance
The history of Loy Krathong is as enchanting as the festival itself, though somewhat cloaked in mystery. Some historians believe its origins date back to the Sukhothai period, marking the end of the rainy season.
It takes place on the full moon night of the twelfth month in the Thai lunar calendar, typically falling in November.
While nobody knows for sure the exact origins, there are three considered:
- Phra Mae Khongkha: The festival was created to thank the Water Goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, for providing life-sustaining water and to apologise for polluting it throughout the year. Others trace its roots to Brahmanic tradition, which Thai Buddhists gradually adapted into the celebration we know today.
- Nang Noppamas: According to one popular legend, Loy Krathong was initiated by Nang Noppamas, a consort of a Sukhothai king, who crafted the first krathong, a floating basket adorned with flowers, incense, and candles. Over time, this evolved into a grand festivity, symbolising a fresh start and letting go of anger, misfortune, and past grievances by floating the beautifully decorated Krathongs on rivers and lakes.
- Diwali Hindu Festival: Another theory suggests that Loy Krathong was influenced by the Diwali Hindu festival, also known as the Festival of Lights. The custom of floating illuminated decorations and the shared themes of renewal and thanksgiving underpins this connection.
Regardless of its exact origins, the festival holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Thai people. It serves as a poignant reminder of their harmonious relationship with nature and the cyclical passage of time.
While it’s not an official public holiday, schools, businesses, and government departments honour it, with most festivities happening at night. So how is it celebrated in the 21st Century? Read on.
Modern Celebrations: How Thais Honour Loy Krathong Today
On Loy Krathong day, we still build Krathongs and release them, most commonly in a flowing river or the sea, so that the krathong takes away any negativity from the past year. Personal items like finger and toenail clippings are sometimes added (we do this every year) to promote new, positive ‘growth’ in our lives for the following year.
I love to see all the Krathongs sailing down the river, heading out to sea. I also like to think about all the people who have sent one, what their prayers and requests for the new year are, and how they might be feeling. The biggest emotion during Loy Krathong is ‘hope’ for continued or renewed success and happiness.
Environmental Impact
One of Loy Krathong’s past challenges has been the impact these makeshift boats have on the environment.
Post-festival clean-ups have revealed significant amounts of waste, prompting growing environmental concerns. In response to this, the Thai government has implemented measures encouraging the use of biodegradable materials for crafting Krathongs. Traditional Krathongs are typically made from natural elements like banana tree trunks and lotus leaves, which are eco-friendly alternatives to the previously used Styrofoam and other non-biodegradable materials.
Following on from what we’ve witnessed at the last two Loy Krathong festivals, we’ve started making them out of solid fish food. It’s a beautiful opportunity to participate in the festival, and the fish in the rivers and oceans get to enjoy a massive feed.
The government has also suggested that if you’re not making biodegradable ones, you don’t place them in the river; instead, put them in a pool at home and dispose of them thoughtfully afterwards.
These changes highlight the evolving ways in which the festival is celebrated, reflecting both an adherence to tradition and a growing sense of environmental responsibility.
Are you ready to find out where to celebrate Loy Krathong while you’re here?
Where to Experience Loy Krathong in Thailand
Loy Krathong is such an important night on the Thai calendar that it’s celebrated in every province. So, no matter where you are, you can witness and participate in it. Here are the primary places it’s celebrated.
Bangkok Loy Krathong Experiences
I haven’t personally celebrated Loy Krathong in Bangkok in my eight years here, so I can’t give you firsthand tips on this one. Here’s what’s publicly known about celebrating it in the city.
The Chao Phraya River is the main gathering point, with locals and tourists lining the banks to float their krathongs on the water. The number of boats on the river during the festival is a striking sight.
Other spots known for Loy Krathong celebrations in Bangkok include:
- Asiatique the Riverfront
- Wat Saket (the Golden Mount)
- Phra Athit Pier
Some riverside hotels, including the Anantara Riverside Bangkok and the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, run Loy Krathong packages that typically include dinner, traditional Thai performances, and the chance to release a krathong on-site.
Public parks around the city, including Benjakitti Park and Lumphini Park, also host family-friendly celebrations.
Throughout the city, various public parks, such as Benjakitti Park and Lumphini Park, are family-friendly and popular places to celebrate. In particular, the lake in the middle of Lumphini Park is a stunning place to release your Krathongs, and I’ll get there one day.
Nonthaburi
I’ve added this city as our last two Loy Krathongs were there. Nonthaburi is the next province to Bangkok. Many expats now live there as it’s cheaper than the city. We lived there for over a year and were surprised at the number of tourists there. Nonthaburi has some gorgeous temples, but that’s for another article.
For my first Loy Krathong in Nonthaburi, we took our Krathongs to one of the many temples along the river. If you’ve read my blogs, you’ll know I love visiting Thai temples. We got a blessing from a monk and then put our Krathongs into the Chao Phraya River.
I really enjoyed how much Buddhism was involved that year, as in the past, for me, it’s only been about the launching of the Krathongs.
My 80-year-old mum was here from Australia the following year, and we wanted to take her to dinner by the river. This was the first time we’ve seen Krathongs made from fish food, and we will forever follow this lead.
After an amazing seafood dinner, we put our Krathongs into the river. She loved the light show up and down both sides of the river and laughed as the fish tried to gobble down the pieces of her Krathong, impeding its progress to the sea.
Pattaya
Pattaya is fortunate to be right on the Gulf of Thailand. With all that beach access, it’s only natural that Loy Krathong would be huge there. I had a wonderful night at my favourite spot at Jomtien Beach. If you’ve never been, it’s an excellent setup. Beach chairs can be hired, and food and drink are served. I’ve been going to lot 17 at Dongtan Beach for years.
While they mostly close at sunset, they stay open late on special occasions like Loy Krathong. We purchased Krathongs from a nearby pop-up vendor and put them out to sea. Then, we sat back with our friends on the beach chairs and had a few beers. It was lovely.
If you’re buying a krathong from a vendor, don’t stop at the first one. Walk along the row and see what’s on offer. Prices often drop the further you go, and the vendors near the end sometimes have the best-designed krathongs at a better price too.
For those in Pattaya Central, the beach is amazing and one of the best places to celebrate the festival. You can enjoy lights, music, and traditional dance performances along the beachfront.
In addition to the krathong floating, don’t miss the chance to witness the impressive fireworks display that lights up the night sky. Finally, watching the Krathongs head out to sea and taking peoples’ blessings out to the Gods is the highlight of the evening.
Cross Pratamnak Hill which Paula reviewed, would be a great place to stay for Loy Krathong.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers an immersive experience for those looking to partake in Loy Krathong. The celebration adds a layer of cultural richness due to its overlap with the Yi Peng festival.
During this time, the city fills with thousands of lanterns. As you wander through the historical quarters, you’ll find paper lanterns in every colour, hung close together along the streets and temples.
If you’re planning to release a sky lantern during Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, here’s what you need to know.
The big organized mass release (the one you see in all the photos) is a ticketed event held outside the city — it’s spectacular, but it’s not the only option. Many locals and visitors release lanterns informally from temple grounds, parks, and riverbanks around the city. Just make sure you’re in a clear, open area away from power lines and buildings. Light the fuel cell at the bottom, hold the lantern until it fills with hot air, then let it go when it’s pulling upward on its own. It’s one of the most magical moments you’ll have in Thailand.
You can buy lanterns from street vendors throughout the old city on the night of the festival, usually for 50-100 baht.
Because Loy Krathong overlaps with Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, you get the water festival and the light festival together, so it’s worth the trip if you can only make it to one region.
The 2026 Yi Peng Chiang Mai CAD Khom Loy Sky Lantern Festival promises an event you won’t want to miss. Whether you choose to float a krathong down the river or release a lantern into the sky, Chiang Mai offers an unparalleled setting for celebrating Loy Krathong.
Will you buy a Krathong or make your own?
A Tourist’s Guide to Making a Krathong
Krathongs are available to purchase all over Thailand on the day and, depending on where you go, can range from 50 baht to thousands of baht.
However, there is something deeply rewarding about immersing yourself in the day’s culture and making your own. It’s really easy.
To start, you’ll need a few basic materials. Traditionally, Krathongs are constructed using natural elements like banana trees, leaves, and lotus petals. As I mentioned, we now use solid fish food as part of the base. These can often be found in local markets in Thailand, especially leading up to the festival.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own krathong:
- Gather Your Materials: Collect a slice of banana tree trunk (approx. 2-3 inches thick), banana leaves, flowers, incense sticks, and a small candle. For a more eco-friendly approach, this is where I replace the banana trunk with solid fish food, other biodegradable materials such as baked bread or coconut shells work well too.
- Prepare the Base: Start by placing the banana trunk slice as the base of your krathong. This will act as the floating platform.
- Attach the Leaves: Cut the banana leaves into strips and use them to wrap around the edge of the banana trunk. Secure these with small pins or toothpicks.
- Add the Decorations: Now, lay lotus petals or other flowers on top of the base. Be creative! You can use colourful flowers, folded leaves, and other natural decorations. Try to use items with lots of colours—it’s a festival, after all, so go bold.
- Insert Incense and Candle: Place a few incense sticks and a candle in the centre of your decorated krathong. When you float the krathong, these will signify your respect and prayers.
- Personal Touch: I think this is the most essential part of building your own. Add something personal. As I mentioned, we add nail clippings. Strands, hair, or coins are also popular personal items.
Once your krathong is ready, it’s time for the main event. Take it to a nearby river, lake, or pond during the night of the full moon. Light the candle and the incense sticks, make a wish, and gently place your krathong on the water. Watch it float away, carrying your wishes and prayers.
Full disclosure: I find making my own Krathong time-consuming and hard on the hands. All that bending of sticks and holding them in place while you tie them is hard work. Consider buying one from a local person. They’ve spent time creating something beautiful, and they can probably use the money for vital things like feeding their family.
Come to Loy Krathong in November
Will you be in Thailand in November? I said it before, but it’s worth saying again that this is my favourite festival on the Thai calendar. I love sailing the Krathongs and the symbolism of saying goodbye to the negatives of the previous year and looking forward to many positive things in the next year.
I really hope you get to experience Loy Krathong in Thailand, no matter where you’re staying. What would you wish for the coming year?
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