Thousands of paper lanterns released simultaneously into the night sky above Chiang Mai on the full moon of November. Yi Peng coincides with Loi Krathong (the water lantern festival) creating a week where the city releases light in every direction — upward into the sky, outward on the rivers. The mass lantern release at Maejo University outside the city is the most famous and largest single event. The moment the lanterns lift — thousands of warm lights rising slowly into a dark sky — is quietly one of the most beautiful things you can witness.
The Maejo mass release is ticketed and sells out fast. The city-wide celebrations along the Ping River on the main night are free and beautiful. Dates are confirmed a few months before based on the lunar calendar.