Thailand’s Loi Krathong 2026 celebrations occur from 15-29 November, featuring riverside ceremonies, heritage sites, and regional traditions, including Sukhothai’s festival, Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng lanterns, and Phuket’s seaside events.
Celebrating Loi Krathong 2026
Thailand’s Loi Krathong festival in 2026 is set to light up from 15–29 November. As the full moon graces the sky on 24 November, visitors can immerse themselves in traditional riverside ceremonies and vibrant cultural displays. This annual celebration is a time-honored event that captivates locals and tourists alike, offering a glimpse into Thailand’s rich heritage and cultural traditions.
Regional Festivities and Traditions
Across Bangkok and the country’s five regions, Loi Krathong unfolds with diverse regional customs. In Sukhothai, where the festival historically originated, the celebrations are particularly enchanting. Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng lantern festival adds another layer of charm with thousands of lanterns illuminating the night sky. Meanwhile, Tak offers picturesque processions, and Phuket hosts enchanting seaside ceremonies, each region bringing its unique flair to the festival.
Illuminated Heritage and Cultural Highlights
During Loi Krathong, historic cities across Thailand dazzle with illuminated heritage sites, adding to the magical atmosphere. As people gather to float krathongs—decorative baskets made from banana leaves—on rivers and waterways, the nation unites in a beautiful expression of gratitude and hope. For those seeking a memorable cultural experience, this is an event not to miss. For more information, visit TAT Newsroom.
Loi Krathong Festival 2026 of Kasetsart University
23–24 November 2026
Kasetsart University, Bangkok
A university celebration of Loi Krathong, bringing students, staff and visitors together to observe one of Thailand’s annual cultural traditions in a campus setting.
Bangkok Loi Krathong Festival 2026: Preserving Thai Traditions Along the Rattanakosin Waterways
17–29 November 2026
Five main activity locations:
Rama VIII Bridge, Bang Phlat District: 16–25 November 2026
Phra Sumen Fort, Phra Nakhon District: 23–25 November 2026
Prem Prachakon Canal, next to Don Mueang Police Station: 23–25 November 2026
Prem Prachakon Canal, Wat Samian Nari: 24 November 2026
Maha Kan Fort, Phra Nakhon District: 23–25 November 2026
Historical Route: Three Temples and One Fort
17–29 November 2026
Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan
Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan
Wat Thepthidaram Worawihan
Maha Kan Fort
A citywide celebration of Loi Krathong along Bangkok’s historic waterways, connecting riverside landmarks, canals and cultural heritage sites. The programme also features a historical route linking three significant temples and Maha Kan Fort in the Rattanakosin area.
Northern Thailand
Sukhothai Loi Krathong, Candlelight and Fireworks Festival 2026
15–24 November 2026
Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai
A celebration of Loi Krathong in the historic setting of Sukhothai, combining traditional candlelight ceremonies and fireworks with the cultural heritage of Thailand’s ancient capital.
Tak Loi Krathong Sai: 1,000 Floating Krathongs Festival 2026
21–24 November 2026
Loi Krathong Sai Riverside, at the foot of Rattanakosin 200th Anniversary Bridge, Mueang Tak District, Tak
A distinctive riverside festival celebrating Tak’s Loi Krathong Sai tradition, featuring the floating of 1,000 krathongs in an illuminated procession along the river.
Yi Peng Chiang Saen: Light of Faith on the Mekong 2026
20–24 November 2026
In front of Chiang Saen District Office, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai
A celebration of Yi Peng traditions along the Mekong River, reflecting the cultural heritage, faith and community identity of Chiang Saen.
Chiang Mai CAD KhomLoi Sky Lanterns Festival 2026
24–25 November 2026
The CAD Cultural Center Lanna, On Klang Subdistrict, Mae On District, Chiang Mai
A sky lantern festival celebrating Northern Thailand’s Yi Peng tradition, with illuminated lanterns reflecting Lanna cultural heritage and traditional beliefs.
Kamphaeng Phet Loi Krathong Festival 2026: Light of Faith, River of Chakangrao – Kamphaeng Phet River of Lights
16–24 November 2026
Thai Cultural Conservation Ground, Sirichit Uthayan Park, Kamphaeng Phet
A cultural celebration of Loi Krathong inspired by the historic identity of Chakangrao, bringing together traditions of faith, light and river-based heritage in Kamphaeng Phet.
Central Thailand
Wat Si Loha Rat Bamrung Loi Krathong Festival 2026
24 November 2026
Wat Si Loha Rat Bamrung Pier, Tha Muang District, Kanchanaburi
A traditional Loi Krathong celebration at a temple pier in Kanchanaburi, providing a riverside setting for the annual observance of gratitude and respect for water.
Mae Klong Banana-Stem Loi Krathong Festival 2026: Following the Sufficiency Economy Way
24 November 2026
Wat Phumarin Kudi Thong, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram
A local Loi Krathong celebration highlighting the use of banana-stem krathongs and the principles of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, reflecting the riverside traditions of the Mae Klong community.
Northeastern Thailand
Phon Sung Loi Krathong Festival 2026
23–24 November 2026
Ko Song Thai, Ban Phon Sung, Phon Sung Subdistrict, Ban Dung District, Udon Thani
A community celebration of Loi Krathong in Ban Phon Sung, reflecting local cultural traditions and participation in the annual festival.
Amazing Full Moon: SUT Loi Krathong Festival 2026
20–29 November 2026
Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima
A university celebration under the Amazing Full Moon theme, bringing Loi Krathong festivities to the Suranaree University of Technology campus.
Mueang Tam Sanctuary Loi Krathong Festival 2026: Faith in the Barai, Paying Homage to the River and Mueang Tam Sanctuary
23–24 November 2026
Mueang Tam Sanctuary, Chorakhe Mak Subdistrict, Prakhon Chai District, Buri Ram
A cultural festival connecting Loi Krathong traditions with the historic Mueang Tam Sanctuary and its ancient barai reservoir, reflecting the relationship between faith, water and Khmer heritage in Buri Ram.
Eastern Thailand
Laem Chabang Loi Krathong Festival 2026
23–24 November 2026
80th Birthday Anniversary Park, Laem Chabang, Chon Buri
A community celebration of Loi Krathong at Laem Chabang’s public park, bringing local residents and visitors together for the annual cultural festival.
Colors of the River: Lotus Loi Krathong Festival 2026
23–24 November 2026
Old Waterfront Chapel, Wat Pa Krathum, Nakhon Nayok
A lotus-themed Loi Krathong celebration in a traditional waterfront setting, reflecting the symbolic importance of the lotus and water in Thai cultural practices.
Prachin Buri Loi Krathong Festival 2026
23–24 November 2026
Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organization, Prachin Buri
A provincial celebration of Loi Krathong, providing an opportunity for local communities and visitors to observe Thailand’s traditional festival of light and water.
Pong Sub-district Loi Krathong Festival 2026
24 November 2026
Pong Sub-district, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri
A local celebration of Loi Krathong in Bang Lamung District, bringing the community together to observe the annual tradition.
Southern Thailand
Phuket Traditional Tourism Festival: Loi Krathong by the Sea at Saphan Hin
16–25 November 2026
Saphan Hin, Phuket
A coastal celebration of Loi Krathong, bringing Thailand’s traditional festival of light and water to the seaside setting of Saphan Hin in Phuket.
Phang-nga Loi Krathong Festival 2026
19–28 November 2026
Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park, Phang-nga
An extended celebration of Loi Krathong in Phang-nga, providing a public park setting for the province’s annual cultural festivities.
U-Tapao River Lights
23–24 November 2026
Bang Hak Pier, Hat Yai, Songkhla
A riverside celebration of light along the U-Tapao River, bringing the atmosphere of Loi Krathong to Bang Hak Pier in Hat Yai.
Loi Krathong Festival 2026
24 November 2026
Sa Kaphang Surin Public Park, Trang
A traditional Loi Krathong celebration at Sa Kaphang Surin Public Park, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to take part in the annual cultural festival in Trang.
Source : Loi Krathong 2026 lights up Thailand’s rivers and historic cities
