This guide gives you the 2026 dates, the meaning of the lanterns, what to see, simple etiquette tips and how to reach Lamphun from Chiang Mai.

When Is the Lamphun Lantern Festival 2026?

The Lamphun lantern festival 2026 runs from October 1 to November 30, 2026. The opening ceremony is on November 14, and the lantern parade is on November 22.

Dates can change, so check an official source such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand before you travel. These are the key dates to plan around.

• •October 1, 2026: Lantern-hanging activities begin across Lamphun.
• •November 14, 2026: The opening ceremony takes place.
• •November 22, 2026: The lantern parade moves through the city toward Wat Phra That Hariphunchai.
• •November 30, 2026: The festival ends.

The parade falls 2 days before Loy Krathong, which is on November 24, 2026. If you plan to travel in late November, see our list of Thailand festivals in November 2026 for more events to add to your trip.

What Is the Lamphun Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival?

![Colorful Lanna lanterns hanging around Wat Phra That Hariphunchai during the Lamphun lantern festival]

The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival is a Lanna tradition in which local communities hang colorful lanterns at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai and around Lamphun. The lanterns are offerings to the Phra That Hariphunchai pagoda and a way to honor Queen Chamadevi, the founding ruler of the ancient Hariphunchai kingdom.

The festival is part of Yi Peng, the northern Thai celebration linked with Loy Krathong. In Lanna Buddhist tradition, hanging a lantern is an act of merit-making, and many people write their names or wishes on the lanterns.

Lamphun has a deep link with the Hariphunchai kingdom, an important center of Mon culture in northern Thailand. Local families, temples and community groups all take part, so the festival feels more like a community event than a light show made for tourists.

If you also want to see Loy Krathong in the capital, read about Loy Krathong in Bangkok in 2026.

What to See at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai

![Golden chedi and colorful lantern displays at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai at night]

Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan is the main center of the festival. Its golden chedi, temple grounds and nearby streets fill with lanterns, so the area looks striking after dark.

The temple is a major landmark in Lamphun, and its original site is more than 900 years old, although the buildings have been renovated and expanded over time. The golden chedi holds relics of the Buddha, and the festival lanterns are offered in its honor.

Walk slowly around the temple complex and look for different lantern styles. You may see star-shaped designs, round lanterns and traditional Lanna cloth lanterns, each adding color to the historic setting.

The festival also spreads beyond the temple. Old town streets, shops and public spaces join the decorations, and many visitors also stop at the Queen Chamadevi Monument in the city. Explore on foot instead of staying only at the main temple.

In past years the festival has also offered cultural shows, craft stalls and local food, so ask about the current schedule when you arrive.

How to Enjoy the Lantern Parade and Evening Lights

![Community members carry decorated lanterns through Lamphun streets during the lantern parade]

The parade on November 22 is a major community event. Groups from different communities carry decorated lanterns through the streets toward Wat Phra That Hariphunchai.

Arrive early for a good viewing spot, and expect crowds around the temple in the evening. Visit after sunset if you mainly want to see the lanterns lit up, because the temple grounds and old town streets glow with color at night.

For photos, arrive before the busiest hours and use a wide view that shows both the lanterns and the temple. Do not touch or move lanterns, and keep drones away from crowds unless local rules clearly allow them.

How to Hang a Lantern and Make a Wish

![Close view of Lanna lanterns with written wishes hanging at a Lamphun temple]

You can take part in the festival, not only watch it. Visitors can buy a lantern, write a name or wish on it and hang it as an offering.

Lantern prices and hanging areas can change from year to year, so ask on site before you buy. Take your time, stay calm near the temple and follow local guidance.

Simple Evening Plan for Your Visit

An evening is enough to enjoy the main sights if you plan the order well. Use this simple plan as a guide and change it to fit your day.

1. •Reach Lamphun in the afternoon and walk through the old town streets, where shops and public spaces join the decorations.
2. •Visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai before the busiest hours so you can take photos of the lanterns and the temple.
3. •Stay until after sunset to see the lanterns lit up.
4. •Hang a lantern with a wish if you want to take part.
5. •Check your return options before you arrive, because trips back can be less convenient late in the evening.

If you travel on parade day, allow extra time for crowds and for traffic around the temple.

Combine Lamphun With Chiang Mai Yi Peng

Lamphun is close to Chiang Mai, so many travelers add the lantern festival to a longer stay in the north. Chiang Mai holds its own Yi Peng and Loy Krathong events around the full moon on November 24, 2026, and the Lamphun parade on November 22 fits well before them.

Chiang Mai is also a good base if you want more hotel choice than Lamphun can offer. Book early, because rooms in both places can fill quickly around the main festival dates.

Temple Etiquette for Visitors

Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is an active Buddhist temple, so dress respectfully. Cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes where required, and keep your voice low near prayer areas.

Do not point your feet at Buddha images, and do not climb on temple structures. Ask politely before you take close photos of monks or people who are praying.

For more advice, read these Thailand etiquette tips for visitors.

What to Bring and Where to Stay

Hotel rooms in Lamphun can fill quickly around the main festival dates, especially near Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. Book early if you plan to stay overnight.

Bring comfortable shoes, water, insect repellent and a light jacket for cooler evenings. November is part of the cool season in northern Thailand, so nights can feel cooler than in Bangkok.

Carry some cash for small purchases, keep your phone charged, and allow extra time for traffic around the temple during the parade. Before you leave home, use this Thailand travel checklist to prepare.

How to Get to Lamphun

Lamphun is about 30 km from Chiang Mai, so it works as an evening trip or a day trip. Many visitors go by train, bus, shared songthaew or private car, and staying overnight gives you more time with the lanterns.

Public transport runs on set timetables, and festival days can bring extra traffic. Check current schedules before you travel and plan your trip back in advance.

A private car or taxi can make it easier to visit the temple and old town at your own pace.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Lamphun lantern festival 2026?

The festival runs from October 1 to November 30, 2026. The opening ceremony is on November 14, and the lantern parade is on November 22.

Where does the festival take place?

The main location is Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan in Lamphun. Lantern displays also appear on streets and public spaces around the city.

What do the lanterns represent?

The lanterns stand for Buddhist devotion, merit-making and good wishes. They are offered in honor of Phra That Hariphunchai and Queen Chamadevi.

Is this a sky lantern festival?

No. The main festival at the temple is about hanging lanterns, not releasing them. Some separate paid events in the area may include sky lanterns, so check each organizer's rules.

How far is Lamphun from Chiang Mai?

Lamphun is about 30 km from Chiang Mai. You can reach it by train, bus, songthaew or car, but check current timetables before you go.