New Year’s Eve Lanterns in Chiang Mai: How It Works & What to Expect (video included)
New Years Eve in Chiang Mai, Thailand
How to Release Floating Lanterns on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai, Thailand
We went to the RISE festival outside of Vegas a few years ago, lighting lanterns then floating them into the night sky. However, in Chiang Mai on New Year’s Eve, they take it to another level!
Releasing lanterns into the night sky is one of the most magical ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai, Thailand — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood experiences. When I first researched this years ago, I kept running into information about the Yi Peng Lantern Festival, which actually takes place in November, not on New Year’s Eve. It made planning confusing, and I wasn’t sure what to expect when December 31 rolled around.
In reality, New Year’s Eve lantern releases in Chiang Mai are a separate, informal tradition. Locals and travelers gather throughout the city to release lanterns as a way to welcome the New Year, make wishes, and let go of the past year. There’s no official festival, no tickets, and no set schedule — just a beautiful, spontaneous celebration.
This guide walks you through what it’s really like to release lanterns on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai, where to go, what to expect, and how this experience differs from the Yi Peng Festival, so you can plan your night with confidence.
Don’t forget to check out our video towards the bottom of the post! :)
📍 Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
🎆 When: December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
🏮 Festival: Not Yi Peng (informal lantern releases)
🎟 Tickets Needed: No
🌱 Eco Tip: Use biodegradable lanterns or release one as a group
Tha Phae Gate Ancient City
Yi Peng vs New Year’s Eve Lantern Releases in Chiang Mai
Many travelers assume all lantern releases in Chiang Mai are part of the Yi Peng Lantern Festival, but this isn’t the case.
Yi Peng is a traditional lantern festival held in November, aligned with the Loy Krathong festival and Thailand’s lunar calendar. It includes official events, ticketed lantern releases, and cultural ceremonies.
New Year’s Eve lantern releases, on the other hand, are informal and celebratory. On December 31, locals and visitors release lanterns throughout Chiang Mai to welcome the New Year. While not an official festival, it’s still a magical experience and requires far less planning than Yi Peng.
Quick Comparison:
Yi Peng: November · official festival · ticketed events
New Year’s Eve: December 31 · informal lantern releases · no tickets required
This guide focuses specifically on releasing lanterns on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai, not the Yi Peng Festival.
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WHERE TO GO FOR NEW YEARS IN CHIANG MAI
Not only is it a party in the streets of Chiang Mai, but lanterns are released everywhere ALL night long!
After our long day with the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park Sanctuary, we took a nap to gear up for NYE! As I woke up around 7p the sun had set and lanterns were floating in the air! We stayed at the De Chai The Colonial Hotel (blog post review) and could start to see some lanterns in the distance, but needed to get in the action!
We made our way from our hotel to the Tha Phae Ancient City gate where we found a mob of people. On the other side of the gate, there was a street fair full of vendors selling food and other merchant goodies. May I recommend you arrive around 10:30p if you want to grab a spot near the gate.
Filled with wall to wall people and completely overcrowded, Rachadamnoen Road was completely shut down, packed like a fish swimming upstream!
Rachadamnoen Road New Years
Rachadamnoen Road CHiang Mai Vendors Glass blowing
Vendors sold all sorts of things: shirts, wallets, tchotchkes, food, jewelry, wood carved animals, you name it - they had it!
I couldn't stomach the street food and we ended up going to another restaurant near-by where we could watch the lanterns sail by.
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Rachadamnoen Road Street Food
Marketplace Chiang Mai New Years Eve Lanterns Floating
LANTERNS IN CHIANG MAI ON NEW YEARS EVE
WHERE TO GET A LANTERN IN CHIANG MAI
Lanterns were typically found in packs at random vendor carts, but we found a truck parked in an alley (it wasn’t as creepy as it sounds), that was selling lanterns 3 for 100 Baht.
PRO-TIP: A lighter is key! We bought one at a nearby 7-Eleven and glad we did, everyone was asking to borrow ours!
The Tha Phae Gate (ancient city gate) has the largest gathering of people who are setting off lanterns all over the place! We found a spot around 11:30pm and did a test lantern to make sure we would be pros by midnight!
As beautiful as they are, these lanterns are fueled by fire and can be dangerous. Be aware of your surroundings as so many people released them too soon, like this one that we caught (Yes, I am wearing elephant pants that I bought for $2!). Many lanterns ended up in trees and I am so glad nothing caught on fire or anyone got hurt.
SAFETY TIP: Always wait for the lantern to feel ‘heavy’ with hot air before letting go. If it’s sagging, it’s not ready and will likely crash into a tree or a person.
2025 Update: The Thai government has increasingly restricted lantern releases to specific zones and times to protect air traffic. Releasing them randomly near Tha Phae Gate is technically becoming more restricted. Mention that travelers should check for "Designated Release Zones" to avoid fines.
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Catching lanterns
Safety Hazard Lanterns in trees
New Years Countdown
By the time midnight rolled around, we were ready to go. After you ignite the fuel bar, it takes about 3-5 minutes for these things to fill with air to take flight, we advise lighting around 11:55p to be ready by midnight!
The New Year countdown began... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
Lanterns light up Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai New Year’s Eve VIDEO:
See more videos in our Chiang Mai Story on Instagram
Amongst these beautiful lanterns, fireworks started to shoot off. I was officially in a Disney movie and the lost princess was saved (that is a Tangled reference with Rapunzel if you didn't catch that)!
Chiang Mai New Years Eve Lanterns and Fireworks
This night was truly breathtaking and one I'll never forget!
Like I said in the beginning, it was really hard to find info for Chiang Mai on New Year’s Eve. Leave a comment below if you have ANY questions!
Eco-Friendly Tips for Releasing Lanterns in Chiang Mai
While releasing lanterns on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai can be a beautiful experience, it’s important to be mindful of the environmental impact. Floating lanterns can create litter and may harm wildlife, livestock, and local ecosystems once they fall back to the ground.
If you choose to participate, consider these responsible travel tips:
Choose biodegradable lanterns made from bamboo and paper, and avoid lanterns with wire or metal frames.
Release one lantern as a group rather than multiple lanterns per person to reduce waste.
Follow local rules and safety guidance, as restrictions are often in place to protect both people and the environment.
Avoid releasing lanterns near farmland, water sources, or animals, where debris could cause harm.
Being a responsible traveler helps preserve Chiang Mai’s beauty and ensures this New Year’s Eve tradition can be enjoyed thoughtfully and respectfully for years to come.
New Year’s Eve Lanterns in Chiang Mai: FAQ
Is New Year’s Eve the Yi Peng Lantern Festival?
No. Yi Peng is not held on New Year’s Eve. Yi Peng is a traditional lantern festival that takes place in November and is tied to Thailand’s lunar calendar. Lantern releases on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai are informal celebrations and are not part of the official Yi Peng Festival.
Why do people release lanterns on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai?
On December 31, locals and visitors release lanterns to welcome the New Year, make wishes, and celebrate fresh beginnings. While it isn’t a formal festival, lantern releases have become a popular and meaningful New Year’s Eve tradition in Chiang Mai.
Do you need tickets to release lanterns on New Year’s Eve?
No. New Year’s Eve lantern releases do not require tickets. Unlike Yi Peng, there are no official events or organized ceremonies. People gather in public areas and release lanterns on their own.
Where can you release lanterns on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai?
Lanterns are commonly released in open areas around the city, especially near rivers, bridges, and large outdoor spaces. Availability and rules can vary each year, so it’s important to follow local guidance and safety regulations.
Is New Year’s Eve lantern releasing as crowded as Yi Peng?
No. Yi Peng is significantly more crowded due to ticketed events and international visitors. New Year’s Eve lantern releases are more casual and spread throughout the city, creating a less structured but still magical atmosphere.
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Releasing lanterns in Chiang Mai on New Year’s Eve is a magical experience that often gets confused with the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. While Yi Peng takes place in November, locals and travelers also release lanterns throughout the city to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Thailand. This guide explains how New Year’s lantern releases in Chiang Mai work, where to go, what to expect, and how this experience differs from the official Yi Peng festival. Where to go and how to spend New Years in Chiang Mai #newyears #thailand #chiangmai