Loy Krathong is a nationwide festival and will be celebrated throughout Thailand on the full moon of the 12th month of the traditional lunar calendar. During this time, you can get a real glimpse of Thai cultural history. This year, Loy Krathong festival will be held on 31 Oct, 2020. The festival is usually held a few days before and after the full moon.
The Loy Krathong festival is an opportunity for locals to express their respect and gratitude to the water god Phra Mae Khongkha for providing abundant water source for the people. The way of Loy Krathong celebration is slightly different in each region of Thailand but the riversides all around the country fill up with the lights from thousands of candles twinkling on the water.
Although the COVID-19 situation is still present, many places in Thailand organize the festival's events where you can join this celebration. Some venues may reduce the date of the event, some places have suspended part of activities but the main activities continue to maintain good traditions.
We have gathered the places where Loy Krathong festival 2020 is celebrated around Thailand along with the schedule and activities.
Chiang Mai
Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Lantern Festivals 2020
Date: 31 October - 1 November, 2020
Chiang Mai offers an exciting and unique experience that you should definitely see at least once in a lifetime. Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai is celebrated together with the Yee Peng (also called Yi Peng) Festival which is also known as Thailand Lantern Festival. Normally, during Yee Peng Festival people light up Lanna-style hot-air lanterns (called khom loi or khom lui) and launch them into the sky. Unfortunately, this year there is the prohibition of the release of lanterns. The sale and consumption of alcohol in the event area is also strictly prohibited.
The most popular place for locals and tourists to celebrate Loy Krathong and Yee Peng in Chiang Mai is on the riverside of the Ping River. The areas around Nawarat Bridge and the Iron Bridge are the best spots for releasing Krathongs to the river and lanterns into the sky. You will even see the houses and public places decorated with showy colored lanterns during this holiday. You can also dress up in traditional Lanna style to visit the Yi Peng Festival.
Share a magical night in Chiang Mai with your family and friends and celebrate the much-awaited Yi Peng festival by joining this Khomloy Sky Lanterns Festival 2020 at The CAD Cultural Center Lanna Ethnicity Buak Khang, San Kamphaeng Chiang Mai
Sukhothai
Sukhothai - Sukhothai Loy Krathong & Candle Festival 2020
Date: 23 October – 1 November, 2020
Although Loy Krathong is celebrated across the country now, Sukhothai, the first Thai capital, is the place where this festival was first celebrated. The highlights of the Sukhothai Loy Krathong celebration Light & Sound presentations, along with a spectacular firework show, folk dancing performances in front of Wat Mahathat at Sukhothai Historical Park. There will be a large night market with stalls of all kinds and local street food. The central area of Sukhothai Historical Park and its UNESCO World Heritage Site ruins will be open to the public free of charge.
Tak
Loy Kratong Sai Lai Prathip Festival
Date: 31 October - 1 November 2020
Loy Krathong in Tak has a slightly different name as the festival here is called Loy Krathong Sai Lai Prathip Festival. The customs of Loy Krathong Sai Lai Prathip Festival in Tak are slightly different from the customs of the festival in the other parts of Thailand. People here release Krathong Sai (coconut-shell Krathongs) to flow in lines along the river. Looking from a distance, the Krathongs become a beautiful long chain of bright glittering lights. The highlights are the ceremony of 9 Royal Inaugurated Krathongs and Lanterns and the releasing of the 1,000 floating Lanterns. This festival is organized at the Ping Riverside, at the foot of the Somphot Krung Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi Bridge.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya - Delightful Colours of the River, Loy Krathong Celebrations 2020
Date: 29 - 31 October 2020
Delightful Colours of the River in Ayutthaya is the place where you can experience the Ayutthaya-style Loy Krathong festival. Major event of the festival will be held at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya Historical Park. There will be many activities such as floating Krathongs made from fresh flowers, traditional fireworks display, and cultural stage performances. Visitors are encouraged to wear traditional Thai costumes or fabric.
Pattaya
Pattaya Loy Krathong Festival 2020
Date: 31 October, 2020
Pattaya City scheduled the Pattaya Loy Krathong Festival to promote cultural tourism on October 31, 2020. In Pattaya, Loy Krathong Festival 2020 will be held all across the city and the beach. The main places for locals and tourists to enjoy the event are activity areas of Central Pattaya (Pattaya Beach), Jomtien Beach and Lan Po Public Park in Na Kluea. There will be the Krathong making contest from natural materials as well as lots of fun activities.
Roi Et
Roi Et Loy Krathong Festival
Date: 30-31 October 2020
Loi Krathong Festival in Roi Et is called Somma Nam Khuen Pheng Seng Prathip that signifies the symbol and identity of the Northeast region or Isan in organizing Loi Krathong events. This year’s activities will include a ceremony of worshiping the city’s sacred objects, Krathong Prathip Yai contest, environmentally friendly Krathong contest, and traditional dance “Ram Wong” contest. Together with a floating of "Krathong Kala" at Bueng Phalan Chai and Somdej Phra Srinakarin Park Roiet.
Samut Songkhram
Loy Krathong Kap Kluai
Date: 31 October 2020
Loy Krathong Kap Kluai on the Mae Klong River in Samut Songkhram is unique and presents an ancient tradition of using local natural resources for making Krathongs without damaging the environment. Krathong Kap Kluai is made from the fibrous layer of the “trunk” of the banana plant. You will see over 200,000 floating Krathong Kap Kluai, krathong contest and a beautiful boat for the royal cup, Miss Noppamas Pageant contest and various local cultural activities. The festival will take place at Phummarin Kudithong Temple.
Lamphun
Lamphun Lantern Festival 2020
Lamphun Lantern Festival is part of Yi Peng tradition festival which similar to Chiang Mai and other areas of the north. In Lamphun, it has been practiced for a long time as a Buddhist worshiping Phra That Hariphunchai and paying respect to Phra Nang Chamadevi, the first King of Lamphun. Visitor are invited to join this festival at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai and the monument to Phra Nang Chamadevi in Muang Lamphun District from today - 31 October 2020.
River Festival Lamphun 2020
Another event taking place in Lamphun is the River Festival Lamphun 2020, which is similar to Bangkok. The 2nd River Festival Lamphun will be held from 28 to 31 October 2020 along the Kuang River. This is the great place to go to truly enjoy the Lanna atmosphere. You will find the products from local craftsmanship along with tasty food from the local kitchen.
Ratchaburi
Loi Krathong Si
Date: 31 October, 2020
In Ratchaburi, the Loy Krathong Festival takes place in Photharam at the Mae Klong River Dam, Photharam District. You can watch the long boat race, enjoy the Miss Noppamas beauty contest and a beautiful procession contest.
Bangkok
If you cannot make a trip to up-country of Thailand, you have many options to join one of Loy Krathong festival events held in Bangkok. There are many places in Bangkok where Loy Krathong festival celebrations will be arranged. The main spots for many locals and tourist in Bangkok include Chao Phraya River, Asiatique the Riverfront, Wat Arun, Tha Maharat, Rama IIX Bridge, Santichaiprakan Park as well as other prominent hotels and restaurants in town.
Bangkok River Festival 2020
Date: 29-31 October 2020
Bangkok River Festival is an annual event of Loy Krathong festival which is held in Bangkok. River Festival will be held at 10 venues along the Chao Phraya River: Wat Pho, Tha Maharaj, Wat Rakhang, Wat Arun, Wat Kalaya, Wat Prayoon, Yodpiman River Walk, Lhong1919, ICONSIAM and Asiatique the Riverfront. Bangkok River Festival 2020 is offering you to experience the charm of the Thai culture and immerse yourself in the identity of the Thai way of life along the longest river bend of the Chao Phraya River.
Loy Krathong Dinner Cruise
As Chao Phraya River is the most famous location in Bangkok to celebrate Loy Krathong, you can join Loy Krathong dinner cruise for an unforgettable Loy Krathong evening. You can board on luxurious Royal Princess Cruise in Bangkok that will take you on a lovely voyage across the Chao Phraya River to float banana leaf Krathong while enjoying international buffet and seafood and live music performances.
Loy Krathong in Thailand
Loy Krathong festival will be celebrated not only in the venues listed above but across the whole nation so don’t miss a chance to join in. In fact, you can get a Krathong with the candles lit and a couple of baht coins inside of it as an offering to the water spirits, bring it to the riverside, the beach or even to the swimming pool (if your hotel is holding a party of floating Krathongs) and enjoy Thai festivity!
Tips
This year, it is required participants to wear masks and comply with COVID-19 control requirements to enjoy Loy Krathong throughout the country.
Loy Krathong Festival is one of the major holidays attracting a lot of tourists, so you should book hotel to stay around the festival area in advance. Book Your Hotel Now!