Our Fav New Year’s Eve Ever: Ringing in the New Year at the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai
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During our 13-day adventure through Asia in 2019, we made one key decision that turned out to be unforgettable: planning our time in Chiang Mai to align with New Year’s Eve and experiencing the city’s magical Lantern Festival.
While Chiang Mai’s traditional Yi Peng Lantern Festival is usually celebrated during the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (typically in November), there’s a lesser-known but equally enchanting version that takes place on December 31st. It’s become a popular way for locals and travelers alike to welcome the new year with beauty, reflection, and light.
Planning your own adventure? Check out our 13-Day Thailand, Cambodia & Nepal Itinerary
The Magic of the Lantern Release
As the clock approached midnight, the sky above Chiang Mai came alive. Hundreds, even thousands, of glowing paper lanterns (known as khom loi) floated gently into the night, creating a breathtaking canopy of flickering light. Each lantern represents the release of misfortune and the welcoming of renewal, peace, and good luck for the year ahead.
Watching the sky fill with drifting lanterns was nothing short of surreal. There was a deep sense of calm, joy, and collective hope, a moment to truly reflect on the past year and set intentions for the next.
Where We Watched: Tha Phae Gate
Though there are celebrations scattered throughout Chiang Mai, we chose to spend New Year’s Eve at Tha Phae Gate: the historic entrance to the old city. It was both breathtaking and chaotic in the best (and sometimes scariest) way. The crowds grew as the night wore on, and we witnessed lanterns getting caught in trees and tangled in power lines. At one point, a firework was set off in the middle of the street and someone nearly stepped on it without noticing!
Pro Tip: The moment is magical, but stay alert! With lanterns, fireworks, and crowds everywhere, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement… literally and figuratively.
Finding Our Countdown Spot
As midnight neared, we decided to make our way toward the river in search of a quieter spot. That… didn’t really exist. So we grabbed a beer from a local bar, found a small patch of sidewalk near the water, and joined the crowd for the countdown. After our kiss and cheers, we hopped in a tuk tuk back to our hotel: tired, happy, and totally in awe of what we’d just experienced.
Why You Should Experience New Year’s in Chiang Mai
Whether you’re looking for a spiritual reset, a unique cultural experience, or just want to do something totally different for New Year’s Eve, celebrating with lanterns in Chiang Mai should be on your bucket list.
It’s a night filled with hope, intention, and the kind of beauty that stays with you long after the lanterns have disappeared from the sky.
Let Chiang Mai’s glowing lanterns light the way to new beginnings and endless possibilities.
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