Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Thailand's Festival of Lights
A Sky Full of Stars
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is a breathtakingly beautiful festival of lights celebrated in Northern Thailand, with the most famous celebrations taking place in Chiang Mai. It is a Lanna (northern Thai) festival that coincides with Loi Krathong, which is celebrated nationwide. The festival falls on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar (usually in November).
The most iconic image of Yi Peng is the sight of thousands of illuminated paper lanterns, known as 'khom loi', being released into the night sky. This creates a magical, almost surreal spectacle that looks like a river of stars flowing towards the heavens. The festival is a time of joy, beauty, and spiritual reflection.