November 1st – 4th, 2017
Each year the Loy Krathong Festival features activities at various venues throughout the city such boat races on the Mae Ping River, Yipeng lantern procession and contest, Beauty contest, and Krathong parades and contests. Chiang Mai is the best city in Thailand to celebrate this great event in November yearly.
The history of Loy Krathong Festival is rather obscure. Some believe that Krathong was first created by Tao Sri Chulalak or Nang Noppamas in Sukothai. Others overlook its origin yet focus on the purposes of the ritual: to pay respect to the Goddess of the Water showing their gratitude on their plentiful use of water and ask for forgiveness in the ensuing pollution. Floating the beautiful Krathong away is the key activity of the Loy Krathong Festival. It also refers to flying away misfortune and bad things in the past and asking for good luck in the future. Although it is not a national holiday, many activities other than floating Krathong, are conducted in this festival, such as, contests of Krathong-making and Noppamas beauty pageants, stage performances and you can join this spectacular occasion at Chiang Mai where it is specifically called Yee Peng – floating of lanterns into the sky.
Highlights of the event:
Wednesday November 1st: Candle tray decoration at Jed Lin Temple and around the city moats
Thursday, November 2nd: Â Opening ceremony of 2017 Chiang Mai Yee Peng Festival at Lanna Folklife Museum
Friday November 3rd (Full Moon Night): Sermon at 8 temples in the city namely Wat Suan Dok, Wat Jet Yod, Wat Chiang Yuen, Wat Chai Sri Phum, Wat Bupparam, Wat Chai Mongkol, Wat Nantharam and Wat Rampeung. Release of sky lanterns at Nawarat Bridge at night and small Krathong to the river also started in this night.
Saturday November 4th: The Grand Krathong Procession Contest (for The Royal Trophy) from Thapae Gate to Chiang Mai Municipality and release of sky lanterns at Nawarat Bridge at night.
