Festival of Lights in Chiang Mai
(29 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Lisa Emmi
Detroit, MI
Adventure Travel Agent and Advisor
Whenever I hear the word “adventure,” it sparks my love of travel. Since my first adventure abroad as a college exchange student, I have been hooked to traveling. Thanks to this wanderlust, I have explored 69 countries and all 7 continents so far....
Whenever I hear the word “adventure,” it sparks my love of travel. Since my first adventure abroad as a college exchange student, I have been hooked to traveling. Thanks to this wanderlust, I have explored 69 countries and all 7 continents so far. These experiences allow me to share first-hand travel knowledge when planning your next adventure, beach holiday, or safari.
As your travel agent and adviser, I will go above and beyond what you might expect from a travel planner. Because of my own travel experiences and expertise in planning, I can craft a vacation that will be both exciting and memorable!
Some of my fondest travel experiences include strolling the Christmas Markets in the old towns of Europe and searching the Big 5 in Serengeti National Park. Trekking through Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain in Peru, and riding camels near Egypt’s Great Pyramids. If you have never witnessed the untouched beauty of Antarctica, you will want to include it on your bucket list. The landscapes are breathtaking, and changing rapidly. My other great travel loves? The cultures and foods found all throughout Southeast Asia....all experiences I hope my travel clients will be able to explore someday as well!
Being a travel agent is not just something I do. It is also something I love! I am passionate about helping others explore the world.. and to find meaning in their travels. As a travel agent, planning a trip is not just a cookie cutter process. I want to be your true travel adviser, someone you can go to with your special trips and adventure travel requests. That is why I truly want to get to know my clients and understand exactly what they envision in a travel experience. My focus on customer service, vast travel knowledge, and global connections all ensure that I can provide you with a trip that like no other.
What kind of trip do you want to plan? Contact me now so we can bring your travel bucket list to life!
Can Be Reached At
1-810-858-0156
Thailand is a country that always dazzles the eye. From the city lights of Bangkok to the temples and night bazaar of Chiang Mai and the stunning ocean views of the Andaman Coast, the country is a delight of visual experiences at every turn. This is especially true during the Loy Krathong festival in November- and even more so in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where the annual lantern festival is held at the same time. The two celebrations at once is a truly magical and enchanting experience.
The last time I visited Thailand, I timed my travel to purposefully coincide with Loy Krathong, sometimes called "The Festival of Lights". Held during the first full moon of the 12th lunar month (usually in November), Loy Krathong is celebrated around the country. The festival is meant to honor the Goddess of Water, pay respect to the Buddha, and celebrate the end of the rainy season. This is a time to show gratitude for the blessings of water throughout the country, to apologize for the pollution of the last year, and to look forward to bright days ahead.
On the night of the festival, locals gather throughout the country and release Krathong’s into lakes, rivers, and canals. Krathong’s are lotus shaped rafts made of banana leaves and decorated with flowers, incense, and candles. These Krathong’s light up the waterways of the country in a show of beauty and reverence for the natural elements.
In the northern region of Chiang Mai, Loy Krathong is an even bigger "Festival of Lights", as the regional Yi Peng festival is celebrated at the same time. This festival is often known as the lantern festival, when "Sky Lanterns" of bamboo paper and candles are released into the sky. The magical experience of watching thousands of lanterns fill the night sky is truly a breathtaking site. As the city has started cracking down on releasing lanterns within the city (for safety reasons), I attended one of the large festival sites located outside of the city center for a massive lantern release in 2019. The event include food vendors, Thai dance and music performances, the releasing of Krathong’s on the river, and a mass release of lanterns at the end of the evening. The visuals are stunning and participating in both traditions in a truly special event. It is important that guests use caution at the lantern release, however, as fire risks abound, and each person must stay diligent of wayward lanterns throughout the venue.
Aside from the large festival events and parades, the entire city of Chiang Mai comes alive during the festival season. Coinciding with the start of high season, the city is filled with tourists and locals, the night bazaar is vibrant and bustling, and the city is decorated with even more colorful lanterns that usual. One of my favorite activities was visiting the temples around the city to see how they were celebrating the festival. Some had large lantern displays being set up by the resident monks. One temple event that you should not miss is the nightly celebration in the Wat Phan Tao temple gardens. The gardens are decorated with lanterns and tea lights, while the monks chant and perform tethered lantern releases. It is a truly enchanting experience, and one that you need to arrive early for if you'd like to be close to the front.
Please look at my Thailand photo album and video to see some of the magical footage from the Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals in Thailand. If you'd like to experience this special holiday for yourself, I'd love to help you get there. Don't forget your camera!