About Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong is one of Thailand's most enchanting festivals, a night when rivers, canals and ponds shimmer with thousands of floating lights. The name means roughly to float a krathong, a small raft traditionally made from a slice of banana trunk decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense. Releasing a krathong is an act of letting go, a way to pay respect to the water goddess Phra Mae Khongkha and to symbolically float away the past year's misfortunes and ill feelings.
Across the country the festival fills the night with candlelight, music, fireworks and beauty pageants. In the northern city of Chiang Mai it coincides with Yi Peng, when thousands of glowing sky lanterns called khom loi are released into the air, creating one of the festival's most famous sights. Couples often float a krathong together for good fortune, and many people place a coin, a lock of hair or a fingernail clipping on the raft as a small offering before setting it adrift.
Loy Krathong falls on the full-moon night of the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which usually places it in November, though the exact date shifts from year to year. The live countdown above always tracks the next Loy Krathong for you. If you would like to plan for the night of lights, you can add this countdown to your own page in a few clicks.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Wednesday, November 25, 2026next |
| 2027 | Sunday, November 14, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, November 17, 2028 |
FAQ
When is Loy Krathong this year?
Loy Krathong falls on the full-moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, usually in November. Because it follows the lunar calendar the exact date changes each year, so check the live countdown above.
Why is Loy Krathong celebrated?
It is a way to give thanks and pay respect to the water goddess Phra Mae Khongkha and to symbolically release the past year's bad luck and negativity. Floating a krathong is an act of letting go and making a wish.
How is Loy Krathong celebrated?
People float decorated krathong rafts bearing candles, incense and flowers on rivers and lakes at night, often with fireworks, music and parades. In Chiang Mai it overlaps with the Yi Peng sky-lantern festival.
What is the difference between Loy Krathong and Yi Peng?
Loy Krathong centres on floating decorated rafts on water, while Yi Peng is a northern Lanna festival of releasing glowing sky lanterns into the air. The two coincide in Chiang Mai, so visitors often see both together.