Yi Peng is Chiang Mai's most spectacular annual event, held during the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar — usually in November, coinciding with the national Loi Krathong festival. Thousands of paper lanterns (khom loi) are released simultaneously into the night sky, turning the darkness above the city into a slowly ascending galaxy of orange lights.
The main public release takes place at the moat and at several open areas around the city. Private ticketed events, often held at temples north of the city, offer a more organised and photogenic experience. Even without a ticket, simply standing in the old city on Yi Peng night and watching the sky fill is one of the more moving experiences Thailand offers. Book accommodation months ahead — the festival draws visitors from across Asia and the world.