Loy Krathong 2026 is expected on Wednesday, November 25, with celebrations beginning after sunset. The date follows the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, although local schedules, event times, and venue details should be confirmed closer to the festival because some listings show November 24.
Your choice of destination will shape the experience. Bangkok offers riverside celebrations along the Chao Phraya, Sukhothai combines candlelit events with its historical park, and Chiang Mai brings together Loy Krathong and the Northern Thai Yi Peng tradition. Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, and Phuket are also popular places to celebrate, but their 2026 schedules may be announced later. For a wider look at dates and major celebrations, see this guide to Thailand culture festivals in 2026.
Yi Peng is related to Loy Krathong, but it isn’t the same festival: Loy Krathong centers on floating krathongs on water, while Yi Peng centers on sky lanterns and is mainly associated with Chiang Mai. Next, we’ll look at the confirmed date, likely times, and the best place for your trip.
Key Takeaways
- Loy Krathong 2026 falls in late November, with the main celebration expected around November 24-25 after sunset.
- The exact date follows the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, so check local announcements before traveling.
- Chiang Mai combines Loy Krathong with Yi Peng, while Bangkok, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Chiang Rai offer distinct celebrations.
- Loy Krathong uses floating krathongs, whereas Yi Peng centers on sky lanterns. Learn more in this Loy Krathong and Yi Peng comparison.
- Chiang Mai’s 2026 lantern release guidance can help you choose an approved event and plan safely.
Loy Krathong 2026 Dates, Times and Full Moon Details
Loy Krathong 2026 is most widely reported for Wednesday, November 25, 2026. The main celebrations should take place after sunset, although cities may schedule concerts, parades, markets, and cultural shows across several days.
Why Loy Krathong Falls on November 25
Loy Krathong follows the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. Because this calendar does not match the modern Gregorian calendar exactly, the festival date changes each year, usually falling in November.
The full moon is expected on November 25, which makes that Wednesday the main Loy Krathong night. Some published sources list Tuesday, November 24, so travelers shouldn’t treat every online date as final. Check announcements from the relevant city government, tourism office, hotel, or event organizer before booking transportation or tickets.
For background on the festival’s origins and traditions, see this guide to what Loy Krathong means.
Main Festival Night and Local Event Dates
The full moon night is the central occasion, but local programs often last longer. Chiang Mai may hold activities on November 24 and 25, while Sukhothai’s historical park can host cultural performances and shows over many evenings. These extended programs are useful if you want music, food stalls, parades, or traditional performances without visiting on the busiest night.
A city program may begin in the afternoon, yet the defining Loy Krathong activities happen after dark. Most people arrive as the light fades, then stay through the evening. The busiest period is often 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., although exact schedules vary by city and venue. Chiang Mai’s 2026 listings also place the main full moon activity on November 25, according to this Chiang Mai Loy Krathong festival guide.
What Happens During the Evening
You can buy a krathong from a street vendor or make one at a local event. These small decorated floats usually contain flowers, a candle, and incense. After making a wish, you light the candle and place the krathong on a river, canal, lake, or pond.
Popular riverfront areas become crowded quickly, especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Arrive early if you want a clear view, a convenient place to buy a krathong, or an easier route home. November usually brings more comfortable travel weather than Thailand’s hotter months, but evenings can still feel warm in Bangkok and cooler in northern cities. Check the forecast shortly before your trip, then carry water and comfortable shoes.
Where to Go for Loy Krathong 2026 in Thailand
Thailand offers very different Loy Krathong experiences. Choose Bangkok for convenience, Chiang Mai for Northern Thai traditions, or Sukhothai for history. Smaller destinations suit travelers who prefer a slower celebration.
Bangkok: Chao Phraya River Views and Easy Access
Bangkok is the easiest choice for first-time visitors because you have many event styles and strong public transportation. Riverfront hotels, public parks, community canals, shopping areas, and temples may all host local activities, although no specific 2026 venue is officially confirmed here.
Crowds should peak between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Use the BTS, MRT, public boats, or walk between nearby areas. Taxis can become slow and difficult to find near the Chao Phraya after sunset.
Chiang Mai: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in the Same Trip
Chiang Mai suits travelers who want Loy Krathong alongside Northern Thai culture. Loy Krathong involves floating a decorated krathong on water, while Yi Peng is associated with traditional sky lanterns. Many visitors use the names interchangeably, but the events can have different venues, permits, ticket requirements, and safety rules.
The likely Chiang Mai window is November 24-25, with November 25 as the main Loy Krathong date. Check official local notices before releasing any lantern. For planning, see this Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026 guide. Background on the tradition is also available in this Loy Krathong and Yi Peng guide.
Sukhothai: The Best Setting for History and Tradition
Sukhothai Historical Park is the strongest choice for temple ruins, illuminated monuments, cultural shows, and processions. A reported 2026 festival window runs from November 15-24, which gives you more flexibility than a single evening.
Book transportation and accommodation early if you want to stay near the park. The exact program, ticket details, and daily performance times should be confirmed with organizers before you travel.
Ayutthaya: A Heritage-Focused Alternative
Ayutthaya works well for travelers who want temple ruins and a historical atmosphere without making Sukhothai the main destination. You can combine sightseeing among the old temples with local Loy Krathong activities, but no exact 2026 schedule is confirmed yet.
Chiang Rai: A Slower Northern Thailand Trip
Chiang Rai is a quieter Northern Thailand option, with temples, markets, and day trips beyond the festival itself. Local celebrations may take place around community areas, but you should confirm the 2026 program locally. See this background on Loy Krathong in Chiang Rai and plan sightseeing with this guide to Chiang Rai’s top attractions.
Phuket: Loy Krathong with a Beach Holiday
Phuket is better suited to travelers who want a beach vacation with a local festival evening. Celebrations may take place at ponds, parks, beaches, or town areas, but no 2026 venue is confirmed. Check local announcements after booking your hotel.
How to Plan Your Loy Krathong Evening
A smooth Loy Krathong evening starts with the right base, a confirmed venue, and a realistic plan for getting home. Choose accommodation near the celebration if possible, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Sukhothai, because traffic and road closures can change quickly after sunset. Travelers adding extra days in the north can use these Chiang Rai attractions and day trips to build a longer itinerary.
Check the city government, tourism office, venue, or hotel for an official event listing. Some public celebrations are free, while private riverside dinners, cruises, and Yi Peng lantern events require advance tickets. Also confirm whether your venue provides a krathong or allows visitors to bring their own.
What to Bring and What to Wear
Arrive 60 to 90 minutes before sunset at popular locations. Allow extra time for road closures, security checks, queues, and finding a suitable place to float your krathong. Carry light, respectful clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Temple areas require modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, even when the weather feels warm.
A small shoulder bag is more practical than a large backpack because riverside paths and temple grounds become crowded. Pack mosquito repellent, your phone or a small camera, and a reusable water bottle. Keep some cash in small bills for food stalls, krathong vendors, parking, and local transport, since smaller sellers may not accept cards.
November evenings can feel cooler in Northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai. Bangkok and Phuket usually stay warmer after dark, so check the forecast and choose breathable layers that you can carry easily.
How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Krathong
Choose a krathong made from banana leaves, bread, flowers, or other natural materials. These options generally break down more easily than plastic or foam, while bread may provide food for fish in suitable waterways. Avoid metal decorations, staples, plastic ornaments, and synthetic foam, which can remain in the water or complicate cleanup. This eco-friendly krathong guidance also recommends avoiding plastic and foam materials.
Buy from approved vendors and follow the instructions posted at the event. Some cities collect krathongs after the festival or restrict what visitors may place in local waterways to protect rivers, canals, and ponds. Never carry a burning krathong into unsafe water, and don’t enter a river to release one.
Plan Your Transport and Return Trip
In Bangkok, use the BTS or MRT before roads become congested, then walk to the venue where practical. Chiang Mai visitors can walk around central areas or use songthaews, but agree on the fare and destination before leaving. For Sukhothai Historical Park and rural venues, pre-book a transfer or arrange a return ride with your hotel.
Plan your departure before the main crowd grows. Save your accommodation address offline, identify a meeting point, and leave before the final performances if you want an easier journey back.
Loy Krathong Safety, Etiquette and Lantern Rules
Loy Krathong is easy to enjoy when you respect the water, local customs, and instructions at each venue. Rules can change by province and year, so treat old travel posts as background only. Check current announcements before you light, float, or release anything.
Stay Safe Near Water and Crowds
Riverbanks, bridges, and canal edges can become slippery after sunset. Stay behind barriers, keep both feet on dry ground, and never enter the water to retrieve a krathong. Children need close supervision near canals, ponds, and crowded piers, especially when people press toward the water.
Open flames create another risk. Hold candles carefully, keep loose clothing away from the flame, and report dropped candles or small fires to event staff. Smoke from incense and crowded walkways can also affect people with asthma or other breathing problems. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid pushing through a crowd to reach the front.
Respect the ceremony and the people around you. Keep public areas clean, lower your voice during prayers or religious activities, and ask before photographing monks, families, performers, or anyone taking part in a private ritual. Follow staff instructions, even when their directions change where you can stand or float your krathong.
Krathongs and Sky Lanterns Follow Different Rules
A krathong is a small floating decoration placed on water. Choose a natural-material option and follow the venue’s disposal instructions. This guide to making a krathong explains why heavy decorations, plastic, and sharp pins can create problems after the celebration.
A sky lantern, called a khom loi, rises into the air and carries a serious fire and aviation risk. Releases may be restricted, banned, or limited to approved zones and times, particularly near airports. Never release one near an airport, road, power line, building, forest, or dry field. Use only an authorized event if local officials permit releases, and never assume a nearby open area is legal.
Rules differ across Thailand. Chiang Mai often publishes specific release zones and times, while other provinces may issue separate restrictions around airports, industrial sites, historic areas, or dense neighborhoods. Check municipal websites, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, airport notices, and local government social media before participating.
Responsible Tourism During Loy Krathong
Use designated bins, avoid single-use plastic, and buy from local vendors when possible. Carry a reusable bottle and take personal trash with you if bins are full. Float one krathong per person or family when local guidance recommends limits, so waterways do not receive more waste than they can handle.
What Can Change Before November 2026
Final event calendars, road closures, public transportation changes, ticket prices, parade routes, and lantern rules may not appear until the weeks before Loy Krathong. Check municipal websites, Tourism Authority of Thailand updates, venue pages, your hotel, and local government social media shortly before traveling. These sources can confirm whether a planned activity is open, moved, ticketed, or canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loy Krathong planning involves more than choosing a city. These answers cover practical details that can affect your budget, schedule, and evening plans.
Is Loy Krathong 2026 a public holiday in Thailand?
Loy Krathong is a nationwide cultural celebration, but it isn’t generally treated as a national public holiday. Banks, government offices, stores, and transportation services may follow their normal schedules, although local events can cause road closures and heavy traffic. Check your destination’s announcements if you need to visit an office or catch an early flight.
Do I need tickets to attend Loy Krathong?
Public celebrations at rivers, canals, parks, and temples are often free to enter. However, private dinners, river cruises, cultural shows, and organized Yi Peng lantern releases may require advance tickets. Read the conditions carefully because some ticketed events include a krathong, transportation, food, or a designated viewing area, while others charge for entry only.
Can I bring my own krathong?
You can usually bring a krathong, but each venue may set its own rules about size, materials, and where visitors may float it. Buy one made from biodegradable materials, then ask event staff where to release it. Many locations collect the floats later, so don’t place a krathong in a restricted waterway or leave it beside the river.
Is Chiang Mai worth visiting if I don’t want to release a sky lantern?
Yes. Chiang Mai offers temple visits, parades, markets, decorated streets, and krathong-floating areas even when you skip sky-lantern releases. In addition, approved lantern events can fill quickly, so review this Chiang Mai 2026 travel guide before choosing your hotel and activities.
Where should I stay for Loy Krathong?
Stay near the event area if you want to walk home after the celebration. In Bangkok, riverside neighborhoods offer convenient access but may become congested; in Chiang Mai, the Old City and areas near the Ping River are practical bases. Sukhothai visitors should reserve a room near the historical park because evening transportation can be limited.
What happens if it rains during Loy Krathong?
Light rain usually doesn’t stop the festival, but it can make riverbanks slippery and reduce the visibility of candles and lanterns. Outdoor performances may start late, move indoors, or be canceled during storms. Carry a compact rain jacket, protect your phone, and check the venue’s social media before leaving your hotel.
