The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is one of the most famous lantern festivals in Chiang Mai, Thailand, known for its spectacular sky lantern release.
In 2026, the main ticketed events are scheduled around November 24–25. This guide covers the Yi Peng 2026 dates, ticket prices, where to buy tickets, what is included, and the differences between the popular CAD and Mae Jo events.
If you are planning a Chiang Mai trip around Yi Peng, use this guide to compare the events and choose the experience that fits your travel plans.
🎟️ Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026 Tickets
Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026 takes place in Chiang Mai on November 24 and 25, 2026. Several ticketed lantern events are held during the festival, with different venues, ticket types, prices, and booking options.
When Is Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026?
The main Yi Peng Festival dates in Chiang Mai are November 24–25, 2026.
The major ticketed lantern events are also scheduled around these dates, so if you are planning to attend a lantern release, these are the two dates to keep in mind.
Where to Buy Yi Peng 2026 Tickets & How Much Are They?
There are several ticketed Yi Peng events in Chiang Mai, and each event has its own official booking site and ticket options.
Ticket prices vary depending on the event and ticket category. Some packages include sky lanterns, dinner, cultural performances, and transportation, while the exact inclusions depend on the event.
Below, you can compare the main ticketed Yi Peng events, including their venues, ticket prices, and booking sites.
Check the event details before booking, as ticket prices, availability, and package inclusions may change.
👉 See our guide to the best areas and hotels to stay in Chiang Mai for more information.
🎆 CAD vs Mae Jo Yi Peng Festival
When searching for Yi Peng Lantern Festival tickets in Chiang Mai, two names you will often see are CAD and Mae Jo. Both are ticketed lantern release events, but they are held at different venues and offer different event experiences.
CAD Yi Peng Lantern Festival
The CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival is held at the CAD Cultural Center Lanna in Mae On District, east of Chiang Mai.
The event combines the mass sky lantern release with Lanna cultural performances, a Thai buffet dinner, Loy Krathong activities, and other cultural experiences. The 2026 ticket packages include two sky lanterns and one krathong per person, with shuttle transportation from designated meeting points in Chiang Mai.
CAD offers several ticket categories, from Standard to higher-tier options. The ticket category determines details such as the seating area, dining area, and type of transfer.
Mae Jo Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Mae Jo is a well-known area associated with large-scale Yi Peng lantern release events north of Chiang Mai.
The Yee Peng Lanna International event is one of the ticketed events held in the Mae Jo area. Like other mass lantern events, it is separate from the public Yi Peng celebrations held in central Chiang Mai.
When booking a Mae Jo event, check the official event name, venue, organizer, ticket inclusions, and transportation arrangements rather than relying only on the name “Mae Jo,” as different events and ticket sellers may use the area name in their listings.
CAD vs Mae Jo: What’s the Difference?
The main difference is the venue and event program, rather than the basic lantern-release experience. Both offer a ticketed setting where visitors can enjoy a coordinated sky lantern release.
| CAD | Mae Jo | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mae On District | Mae Jo area |
| Event style | Large-scale lantern release | Large-scale lantern release |
| Atmosphere | Lanna cultural experience | Traditional festival atmosphere |
| Best for | A structured festival experience | A more traditional Yi Peng experience |
If you are comparing tickets, look beyond the event name and check the venue, ticket price, seating, lanterns included, meals, and transportation. These details can vary between events and ticket categories.
How to Get to the Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Yi Peng events are held outside central Chiang Mai, so travel time and transportation should be considered when planning your visit. Ticketed events such as CAD and events in the Mae Jo area are typically reached by shuttle, taxi, or private transportation.
Getting to Ticketed Yi Peng Events
Most large ticketed Yi Peng events are held outside Chiang Mai’s Old City. Depending on the event venue, you can travel by taxi, Grab, private car, or an event-organized shuttle.
For first-time visitors, booking an event with transportation included can make the journey easier, especially after the lantern release when traffic around the venue can become very busy.
Yi Peng Festival Shuttle Services
Some ticketed Yi Peng events provide shuttle services from designated pickup points in Chiang Mai.
If you plan to use a shuttle, check the pickup location, departure time, and return arrangements when booking your ticket. Shuttle services can be especially convenient after the event, when finding a taxi or Grab at the venue may take longer.
Where to Stay for the Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Staying in central Chiang Mai makes it easy to enjoy the city before and after the festival. The Old City, Nimman, and Night Bazaar areas are popular choices, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and cafes nearby.
If you are attending a ticketed Yi Peng event, check the distance between your hotel and the event’s shuttle pickup point before booking.
👉 See our guide to the best areas and hotels to stay in Chiang Mai for more information.
❓ Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026 FAQ
✔ Conclusion: Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026 will take place in Chiang Mai on November 24–25, 2026. If you want to join a large-scale lantern release, ticketed events such as CAD and events in the Mae Jo area are options to consider.
Before booking, check the event location, ticket details, transportation, and shuttle arrangements. Since many venues are outside central Chiang Mai, choosing a convenient hotel and planning your transportation in advance can make your festival experience much smoother.
With the right event and transportation plan, you can enjoy one of Chiang Mai’s most memorable festival experiences during your Thailand t
