Thailand’s Yi Peng Lantern Festival: A Real-Life Tangled Experience
I’ve been fascinated by flying lanterns ever since I watched the Disney movie Tangled. There’s something deeply moving about holding a glowing lantern in your hands and releasing it into the night sky — it feels like sending a prayer to the heavens, carrying both your hopes and the things you’re ready to let go of.
So when I stumbled upon a video of the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, I had just one thought: I have to be there.
It quickly climbed to the very top of my bucket list, and in November 2025, I finally experienced it for myself.
What Is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival?
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival (also spelled Yee Peng) is an annual celebration held in northern Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai. It takes place on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar, which means the exact date changes every year.
Yi Peng celebrates the beauty of the full moon and is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. Locals gather at temples to listen to monks’ prayers and offer lanterns as acts of devotion. Homes and temples are decorated with hanging Khom Loy lanterns, which are lit to pay homage to Lord Buddha and symbolize the release of misfortune and negativity.
How I Planned My Yi Peng Trip (and How It Went)
1. Planning the Trip
If there’s one thing to know about Yi Peng, it’s this: plan early.
This is one of Chiang Mai’s biggest annual events. Tickets sell out months in advance, and hotels — especially those close to the event or within the city — fill up quickly. Festival dates are usually announced as early as December of the previous year, and I started planning my trip by January.
Trust me: the earlier, the better.
2. Buying the Tickets
Tickets can be purchased through various travel platforms and agents. I booked mine through Highlights Travel (formerly Asia Highlights), but you can also find tickets on Klook, GetYourGuide, or Viator.
Each ticket type comes with different food options and viewing areas, so it’s worth reading the details carefully before booking.
3. Getting to the Event
Tickets usually include free shuttle transportation from designated pick-up points in Chiang Mai to the event venue.
That said, if you have the option, I highly recommend renting a car with a driver.
When we attended, transportation was the most chaotic part of the experience. There were long lines for the shuttle buses, and it wasn’t clearly communicated that attendees needed to collect their badges first. After the lantern release, things became even more disorganized. Some people with regular tickets boarded air-conditioned buses meant for premium ticket holders, leaving others stranded or scrambling for available spots in the buses.
If you have your own car, you can simply leave when you’re ready and drive back to Chiang Mai town — no stress, no confusion.
4. What to Wear
Comfort is key.
Wear comfortable clothes — light, breathable fabrics work best.
White outfits look beautiful and match the festival’s aesthetic.
Ladies: wear closed shoes. This is important.
The venue is not paved, and the ground can be muddy. I saw several women struggling with broken slip-ons and dirty dresses. If you do choose to wear a dress, be prepared for it to get dirty. Trust me — footwear problems are the last thing you want during this experience.
5. What to Expect During the Event
Arrive early to avoid unnecessary stress.
At the venue, you’ll present your online ticket and receive access to the event grounds. Tickets include unlimited food, though the food options, seating, and dining areas vary depending on your ticket type. A map is provided showing where each food station is located — take a moment to review it to save time and avoid long queues.
Before the lantern release, there are:
cultural performances
traditional music and dances
plenty of photo opportunities
small activities around the venue
The official program begins with short cultural presentations, setting a calm and meaningful tone for the evening.
6. The Much-Anticipated Lantern Release
Each ticket includes two lanterns per participant.
Lighting the lanterns isn’t as easy as it looks, but don’t worry — staff members are always nearby to assist. They’re also happy to help take photos or videos, which is especially helpful if you’re attending solo.
A helpful tip:
👉 Light your lantern first, take your own photo or video, then capture the wider lantern release. Everything happens quickly.
The lanterns are made of very light materials, and the flame naturally extinguishes after a few minutes. Once we saw thousands of lanterns gently floating back down — unlit and harmless — we made our way toward the exit to catch a ride back to town.
7. Is It Worth It?
Absolutely.
The only downside for me was the transportation logistics. Aside from that, the experience was nothing short of magical. No photo or video online truly does it justice. Standing there, surrounded by thousands of glowing lanterns rising into the night sky, is something words can barely describe.
It’s surreal. Emotional. Unforgettable.
If you’ve ever dreamed of living your own real-life Tangled moment — Yi Peng is it.