Chiang Mai Lantern Festival: CAD Yi Peng Tickets 2026 + Koy Krathong

Experiencing the lantern festival in Chiang Mai was high on my travel list in Thailand. I booked my flights early (what I did right), but didn’t research enough and made plenty of costly mistakes (what I did wrong!). Read on for my must-know travel tips so you can learn from my experience.

Chiang Mai is one of my favorite places to visit in Southeast Asia, and in my opinion, there’s no better time to go than during the Lantern Festival. Not only do you get to live out your “Tangled dream,” the dates also coincide with Loy Krathong, which is celebrated all over Thailand.

Was it worth seeing? A big YES and I actually bought tickets again for 2026!

Here is everything you need to know about dates, sold-out tickets, seating hacks, where to stay, and what actually happens on the ground 👇

Lantern release and fireworks show during my my first CAD Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Lantern Festival vs. Loy Krathong vs. CAD event

When planning our trip, it’s important not to mix these up and know the difference between the lantern festival, Loy Krathong and the CAD event.

Loy Krathong Festival & Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival — Involves releasing of sky lanterns (khomloy) into the night sky to release bad luck and send prayers into the heavens. Also called Yi Peng or Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival, this Northern Thai tradition is celebrated during the full moon of the second month in the Lanna lunar calendar (dates change yearly). In Chiang Mai, there are FREE public releases and many privately organized mass release events.

CAD Event — The Viral Mass Release & Paid. This is the exact spectacle you see blowing up on Tiktok and Instagram with thousands of lanterns launching at the same time with grand fireworks. It is organized by the Chiang Mai Arts and Design (CAD). Seats sell out fast, and they definitely don’t come cheap! While there are other cheaper private mass releases, the CAD Event is by far the biggest and most impressive.

Loy Krathong (Festival of Light) — Floating banana-leaf lanterns (krathongs) on rivers to thank the Water Goddess. Celebrated across Thailand during the same full moon, you can join in for free along the Ping River or around the Old City. Visiting Chiang Mai during festival season allows you to experience both the floating lanterns and the sky lanterns at the same time.

CAD Lantern Festival Tickets

The first thing you need to do is buy your ticket, as soon as you’ve decided to attend the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. Tickets sell out several months in advance, especially for the first day, so don’t wait too long.

‼️ To avoid scams or booking a different Lantern Festival organizer, make sure the listing exactly mentions CAD or CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2026 in the title before purchasing. Cheaper listings are usually smaller events with way fewer lanterns and fireworks.

Current 2026 Ticket Status

As of October 10, 2026, ticket are already sold out on all bookings sites and ticket agents listed below.

SOLD OUT!

✨ GetYourGuide (Book here)
✨ KKDay (Book here)
✨ EventBrite (Book here for Nov 24 / Nov 25)
✨ Traveloka (Book here)
✨ FaceTicket (Book here)
✨ Klook
✨ Agoda
✨ Top Destinations (Book here) – Bought our tickets here during our first lantern festival.
✨ Royal Silk Holidays (Book here) – Bought our tickets here for the 2026 lantern festival.
✨ Hualiying Travel (Book here).

✨ Thailand Highlights (Book here).

DISCLAIMER: I bought my lantern festival tickets with Top Destinations & Royal Silk Holidays, so I have no personal experience booking the CAD tickets with other platforms. However, agencies listed here claim to be official ticket partners with good reviews online. It’s always a good idea to contact providers directly before purchasing. If you’ve booked through any of these sites, please let me know by sending me a message on Instagram @detouristahq.

CAD New Year Countdown 2027

If you weren’t able to get tickets, but can’t wait until next year’s festival? CAD also organizes a grand mass lantern release for New Year’s Eve on December 31! Be sure to buy & plan your trip early this time.

Book here

compare rates on: KKday, Faceticket, GetYourGuide, Trip.

Ticket Prices & Tiers

How much does the ticket cost? The cheapest is “Standard” priced at THB 4.9K and the most expensive is “Elite” at THB 15.9K.

• Standard –  THB 4,900 / USD 145 / PHP 8.9K
• VIP – THB 6,500 / USD 193 / PHP 11.9K
• Premium – THB 7,000 / USD 207 / PHP 12.8K
• Gold – THB 8,900 / USD 264 / PHP 16.2K
• Platinum – THB 11,900 / USD 353 / PHP 21.8K
• Elite – THB 15,900 / USD 472 / PHP 29K

The program is the same on both days, so you can choose whichever date works best for your itinerary.

What Ticket to Buy? Purchase VIP, if you are willing to spend a bit more than Standard. VIP seats are placed in the middle, giving you the full immersive experience of being surrounded by the lanterns. Go for Gold, Platinum or Elite if you want the best possible photos/videos.

Generally, higher-priced tickets come with better views, but Premium is the exception. Even though it costs more than VIP, Premium seats sit directly in front of the central pagoda, meaning your view will be partially blocked.

Here’s the seating plan so you can better visualize the difference between the ticket tiers.

Seating plan at Chiang Mai CAD Lantern Festival 2026

Last year, fireworks were launched behind the standard seats (zone Red & Violet). If you want both the fireworks and the lanterns in one shot/frame, the best spots are the elevated platforms reserved for Gold, Platinum and Elite at the opposite side of the fireworks. VIP and Premium seats on that side (zone Orange, Pink and Blue) are okay too.

We bought Standard tickets for our first CAD Lantern Festival, and we still had a magical experience. Our big regret was not buying tickets sooner. We ended up with seats where the fireworks were behind us and the lanterns floated in front, so we couldn’t capture both in one shot.

View from Standard ticket seating zone at Chiang Mai CAD Lantern Festival

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

So what’s next after booking your lantern festival tickets & flights? Immediately, book your hotel/accommodations because Yi Peng + Loy Krathong is the peak tourist season in Chiang Mai.

Best Hotel Neighborhoods

The Old City is the best overall area to stay, especially for first-timers, placing you within easy walking distance of major festival-decorated temples, local celebrations near Tha Pae Gate, and official CAD event pickup points. Alternatively, the Nimmanhemin / MAYA Shopping Center area offers a modern vibe packed with trendy cafes, convenient airport access, and best location near CAD event pickup points. If you plan to hire private transport directly to the CAD venue instead, stay along the scenic Riverside to be close to the Night Bazaar and Loy Krathong festivities by the Ping River

Tap/click below to find the perfect stay within your budget. Use the “Filters” and select the neightborhood mentioned above. Then use “Sort by” and select “Highest guest ratings“.

Book here

compare rates on: Agoda, Klook, Trip.

Chiang Mai Hotel reco

Hotel M Chiang Mai beside Tha Pae Gate

Hotel M Chiang Mai (Book here) – Perfect location in the Old City right beside Tha Pae Gate at Tha Pae Road, the heart of local Yi Peng and Loy Krathong celebrations. I stayed here during my first Lantern Festival. Compare rates on Agoda, Klook, Trip.

How to Add Promo Codes for Extra Discount

The easiest way is to simply tap all of the links below BEFORE BOOKING:

✅ AVAIL HERE / up to 10% OFF Agoda Hotels: DETOURISTA
$100 / ₱600 max discount

✅ AVAIL HERE / up to 7% OFF Agoda Activities: DETOURAGODA
$10 / ₱60 max discount

✅ AVAIL HERE / up to 5% OFF Klook: DETOURISTAKLOOK
₱800 max discount

pro-tip: upon checkout, make sure the promo codes above are selected before proceeding to payment.

You can also add the codes manually, here’s how to do in on Agoda:

✨ Step 1: open the Agoda app.
✨ Step 2: tap “Deals” (bottom menu). Then scroll to “Coupons”.
✨ Step 3: enter promo code “DETOURISTA” in ALL CAPS to get 10% OFF hotels. $100 / ₱600 max discount.
✨ Step 4: tap check to redeem.
✨ Step 5: enter promo code: “DETOURAGODA” to get 7% OFF activities. $10 / ₱600 max discount.
✨ Step 6: tap check to redeem. That’s it!

How to add promo codes on Klook:

✨ Step 1: open the Klook app.
✨ Step 2: tap “Accounts” (bottom right).
✨ Step 3: tap “Promo Codes” (top left).
✨ Step 4: enter promo code: “DETOURISTAKLOOK”.
✨ Step 5: tap “Redeem”.

pro-tip: promo codes may be automatically removed from the app after some time. You might need to re-enter the code to get the discounts.

see more travel promo codes & how to book.

Sample Lantern Festival Itinerary

If it’s your first time visiting Chiang Mai, I recommend spending around 5 days so you can explore major attractions in the Old City area and go on a day tour to Chiang Rai. Here’s a sample 5D4N itinerary:

Day 1 (Nov 23): Old City Temples & Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai Old City temples and Khai Soi

Morning: Arrive in Chiang Mai, check into your hotel in the Old City. Grab a bowl of Khao Soi at Khao Soi Maesai or Khao Soi Khun Yai.

Afternoon: Explore Old City temples decorated with colorful paper lanterns. Don’t miss Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phantao, Wat Lok Moli & Wat Phra Singh.

Loy Krathong Festival & Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival

Evening: Local food at Chiang Mai Gate Market. Stoll the Old City at night.

Day 2 (Nov 24): CAD Lantern Festival

Morning: Relaxed morning at a cafe in Nimman / Maya Mall or continue your tour of the Old City.

1230 PM: ETA shuttle pick-up point for transport to the CAD venue. (up to 1 hour travel time). Maya Mall for Elite & Platinum. CMIECC for the others.

0230 PM: ETA CAD Cultural Center Lanna (Mae On District). Proceed to the main entrance for registration.

CAD Cultural Village

0300 PM: Explore the CAD Village, Lanna Market & enjoy the on-site activities.

0530 PM: Early dinner at the food zone.

0600 PM: Release your floating krathong in the water zone/pond area.

0730 PM: Enter the ceremonial area near the pagoda.

0740 PM: Watch cultural performances and ceremonial proceedings.

0815 PM: Simultaneous lantern release.

0900 PM: Proceed to shuttle transfer back to Chiang Mai City Center.

10:30 PM: Return to the hotel.

Day 3 (Nov 25): Cafes & Local Festivities

Chiang Mai aesthetic cafes – Chom Cafe, Dan Tewada Cafe, No. 39 Cafe

Morning & Afternoon: Aesthetic cafe hopping. Don’t miss Dan Tewada Cafe, Chom Cafe & No. 39 Cafe.

Chiang Mai local celebrations during Yi Peng & Loy Krathong Festival

Evening: See the heart of Loy Krathong and Yi Peng local celebrations at Tha Pae Gate & The Pae Road. Head down to the Ping River (Nawarat Bridge / Iron Bridge) to watch locals float krathongs on the water & stroll the Night Bazaar Alternatively, you can seek out public sky lantern releases in the city outskirts.

Day 4 (Nov 26): Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai Day Tour – White Temple, Black Houses, Blue Temple

Full-Day Tour: Take a day trip to Chiang Rai (Book here) and marvel at the iconic White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), and the unique Baan Dam Museum (Black House). Compare rates on: Agoda, Klook, Trip.

Day 5 (Nov 27): Doi Suthep & Departure

Morning: Head up the mountain to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Afternoon: Head to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), and board your return flight home or continue to your next destination in Thailand.

CAD Ticket Inclusions & What to Expect

Once you’ve been to the CAD Lantern Festival, you’ll totally get why ticket prices are so expensive. It’s a full experience that includes transport, food, and cultural village activities, not just the lantern release. Plus, you’re paying for the incredible effort it takes to organize a massive event for tens of thousands of people attending over the course of two days.

All ticket tiers include:

🏮 2 Sky Lanterns per person
🪷 1 Floating Krathong (water lantern)
🏛️ Full access to the CAD Cultural Village and activity zones
🍽️ Buffet-style dining
🚐 Round-trip transport to and from the venue

Transport

Elite & Platinum enjoy fast-track registration and a private waiting area at their designated pick-up point at Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center, which is near the city center. Pick-up for Gold, Premium, VIP & Standard will be at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMIECC). Shuttles for Standard will be local open-air red trucks (songthaews), while VIP tiers and above enjoy air-conditioned vehicles. Travel time is around 40 minutes to 1 hour from the city center to the lantern release venue at the CAD Cultural Center Lanna in Mae On District.

Shuttle pickup opens at 1PM, but I highly recommend to arrive 30 to 60 minutes early. Last year, the waiting area was outdoors with little to no shade, and the queue was already very long when we arrived past 1PM. Also, keep in mind that while CMIECC is normally just a 20-minute drive from the city center, festival traffic can significantly delay your trip.

If you have the budget, hire your own transport, especially if you bought Standard tickets. After the mass lantern release, imagine the chaos of thousands of people scrambling to exit the venue and catch a ride back to the city. Last year, we ended up waiting over an hour in a dark, muddy field because the local red trucks ran out. Having your own driver booked in advance saves you from that long, exhausting wait.

CAD Lanyard & Souvenir

Once you arrive at the venue, proceed to the entrance for registration. You’ll receive a lanyard and souvenir kit.

CAD Cultural Village and Activity Zones

CAD Cultural Village

Inside, there’s plenty to do to keep you busy for the whole afternoon including cultural performances, craft making, cooking demonstrations & cultural exhibits. They also set-up Instagramable areas/installations where you can take nice photos. Plus, lots of food and coffee stalls.

Food Zone

All tiers enjoy buffet-style dinner. The higher the tier, the better the food selection.

While the food zone officially opens at 5:30 PM, get there early to see if they’ll let you in. By the time we went around sunset, the seating was completely packed and the lines at the lines at the booths were super long. Food for Standard was nothing spectacular, so don’t expect too much 😄

Food Zone at CAD Lantern Festival

Floating Lanterns

Head to the water zone or pond during sunset golden hour. it’s the best time and lighting to release your floating krathongs and get beautiful photos.

Floating Krathong at Food Zone at CAD Lantern Festival

By 7:30 PM you should already be at the ceremonial area to settle in your assigned seats before the program begins at 7:40 PM. This downtime is the perfect opportunity to set up test shots and practice your camera angles for the lantern release.

Low-angle shots close to the ground usually work best, so don’t forget to bring a tripod! Get a sense of the wind direction too so you’ll know where the lanterns will fly off to and plan your shots ahead.

The countdown started at around 8:15 PM followed by the grand fireworks display, which lasted for a good 15 minutes. Do not setup and release your lanterns during the fireworks. Because lanterns take a few minutes to fill with hot air before floating, rushing to launch yours in the middle of the show will only leave you feeling panicked.

Instead, soak up the magic, enjoy the show, and take photos or videos of other lanterns floating against the fireworks in the background!

After the fireworks is over, take your time to do your lantern release at your own pace. Set a clear intention of letting go of all your negative emotions and remind yourself of all the things you are thankful for. Then, make a wish to manifest and slowly release your lantern.

As soon as you’re done, rush straight to the shuttles back to the city. Getting a head start will help you beat the massive crowd rush as thousands of other attendees try to leave at the same time.