Have you ever dreamt of attending a lantern festival and relish all your Rapunzel fantasies? Sure, there are many different lantern festivals all around the world. However, if you are living in Asia or Singapore like myself, you don’t have to break the buck to experience one. My favorite lantern festival in Asia is the Loi Krathong and Yi Peng Festivals in Northern Thailand; Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Now, do not confuse this with the paid event. If you are interested in paying approximately USD$100-200 just to take pictures like the one right above, you can click here to find out more about the paid event.
This post will focus on the facts of the actual festivals which are FREE for you to attend and experience in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
1. Who: YOU!
You can attend these events. Solo or with company. The festivals are open to the public.
2. What: Lantern Festivals in Thailand
The best part about attending these festivals is the local experience; delicious and exotic food, vibrant music, traditional performances, amazing company and people you meet along the way, etc.
Cost of living in the moments: FREE.
Okay, maybe 20bht to 50bht for a Khom Loi and a Krathrong to take part in the events?
3. Why: Significance of Festivals
Loi Krathong (translated: “to float a basket”) is a tradition of making krathong or buoyant (decorated baskets), which are then floated on a river. It is celebrated annually throughout Thailand. The act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one’s grudges, anger and defilement, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot.
Loi Krathong coincides with the Lanna festival known as “Yi Peng”. Yi Peng is an annual celebration of good over evil; overflowing blessings. The action of letting go lanterns (otherwise known a Khom Loi) signifies well wishes for the coming year and the people around you. Both festivals are celebrated together in Northern Thailand for three days.
4. When: Mark Your Calendar
The Festivals take place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai Lunar Calendar (Lanna Calendar), thus the exact date of the festival changes every year. In the Western calendar, this usually falls in the month of November.
In 2018, the dates will be between 21st & 23 November.
It is projected that the festivals will take place between 13th & 15th November in 2019.
5. Where: Venue
Loi Krathong and Yi Peng Festivals are most widely, royally and elaborately celebrated in Northern Thailand; Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. In my personal experience: Chiang Mai. The festivals are held within the Old City of Chiang Mai. Lanterns are set off starting from Nawarat Bridge over Mae Ping River, and it expands all over the cities. Krathong is set into the Mae Ping River.
For more festival detailed itinerary this year, click here.
6. How?
Well, book your flights and accommodations!
Travel Tips:
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If you can afford to, book your accommodations in advance. I can assure you that by the time you reach the city, 99.9% of hotels, air b&b, guesthouse and hostels/backpackers will be fully booked. It took me 2 hours just to find one available bed in a hostel.
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Flights to Chiang Mai will be very expensive. I saved SGD$200 just by taking a flight to Chiang Rai and travelled by bus to Chiang Mai. I got to explore Chiang Rai too!
Damn, I’d love to be Rapunzel again. (queues song: I See The Light)
I will be posting about my personal Rapunzel experience in a future separate post.
Happy dreaming and safe travels!
Hilary Travels 