Loy Krathong 2026 in Bangkok: Date, Best Places to Celebrate and Tips

Loy Krathong 2026 in Bangkok lands on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the night of the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar. It is one of the prettiest nights of the year in the city: thousands of small floating baskets drift down the Chao Phraya and across park lakes, each carrying a candle, incense and a wish. This guide covers where to go, how to get there, what a krathong costs, and how to celebrate without adding to the river's rubbish problem.

A quick note on the date: most Thai and international sources give 24 November for 2026, though a few list 25 November. The main floating happens on the full moon evening, and many venues run events across several nights around it. Check the venue's own page before you go.

What Loy Krathong is about

"Loy" means to float and a "krathong" is the small raft you float. Traditionally it is made from a slice of banana trunk, folded banana leaves and flowers, topped with a candle and three incense sticks. The ritual is a thank-you to the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, and a way to let go of bad luck and grudges from the past year. Couples often float one together, and some people add a fingernail clipping, a strand of hair or a coin.

It is not a public holiday, so offices and schools stay open. The action starts after dark, roughly 6 PM to 10 PM, and the riverside gets very busy from around 7 PM.

Best places to celebrate Loy Krathong in Bangkok

Chao Phraya riverside

The river is the heart of the festival. Riverside hotels, piers and temples all host some kind of floating spot, and dinner cruises sell out early. If you want the classic image of candles on dark water with temples lit up behind, this is it. Expect crowds at every public pier, so pick one spot and stay put rather than hopping between piers by boat.

Asiatique The Riverfront

Asiatique on Charoen Krung Road is one of the easiest places for first-timers. There is a long riverfront promenade, plenty of food, krathong stalls, and usually a stage programme. Getting there: BTS Saphan Taksin, then the free Asiatique shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier (queues get long on the night, so go early) or a short taxi ride.

ICONSIAM

ICONSIAM on the Thonburi side usually runs one of the biggest riverside celebrations, with a floating area on its river park, performances and a festive market. Some years it has been one of the main official stages for the festival. Take the BTS Gold Line to Charoen Nakhon, which connects with the Silom Line at Krung Thon Buri, or a ferry from Sathorn Pier.

Santi Chai Prakan Park

This small park by Phra Sumen Fort on Phra Athit Road, close to Khao San, is a favourite for the old-town crowd. It has a riverside lawn, a historic white fort and a relaxed, local feel, although it gets packed. There is no BTS or MRT nearby, so take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Phra Arthit Pier (N13) or a taxi. If you are staying in Banglamphu, simply walk.

Lumpini Park and Benjakitti Park

The parks are a calmer, family-friendly option, and you float your krathong on a lake instead of a fast-moving river. Bangkok's city administration (BMA) opened 33 public parks for Loy Krathong in 2025, open until midnight on the night, and similar arrangements are expected again. Lumpini is next to MRT Lumphini or Silom and BTS Sala Daeng. Benjakitti Forest Park, with its big lake and elevated walkways, is beside MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Both are easy to combine with dinner in Silom or Sukhumvit.

Temples

Many temples set up krathong stalls and floating points, and the Golden Mount temple fair at Wat Saket usually runs around the same period, with the hill lit up at night, food stalls, games and live music. Time Out lists the 2026 fair as running from 17 to 29 November; check the temple's own channels for final dates. It is one of the most atmospheric old-school fairs in the city.

For more ideas for the month, see our guide to things to do in Bangkok in November 2026, and browse festival events for the venues that publish their programmes.

Eco-friendly krathong: what to buy

The BMA collected around 391,000 krathongs across the city after the 2025 festival, down from over 500,000 the year before. About 83 percent were made from natural materials, which the city turns into compost, while foam ones go to landfill. Help keep that trend going:

• Choose natural materials: banana trunk and leaves, flowers, or bread krathongs that fish can eat. Avoid foam and plastic decorations, pins and staples.
• Share one: couples, families and groups of friends can float a single krathong together. The city has encouraged this for several years.
• Keep it small: a modest krathong is just as meaningful as an elaborate one.

Simple krathongs usually cost around THB 50 to 150 from street stalls near piers and parks, with bigger designs going for more. Prices at hotels and malls can be higher.

BMA rules and safety

City rules can change each year, so treat these as the general picture and watch for BMA announcements in the week before:

• Fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns are strictly controlled in Bangkok, especially near the airport flight paths. Do not release a sky lantern (khom loy) in the city. The lantern festival is a Chiang Mai tradition called Yi Peng, and even there launches are limited to permitted events.
• Piers can be dangerous when overcrowded. Follow staff instructions, keep children close and do not lean over the edge.
• Parks may restrict what you bring in, such as alcohol, and close at a set time.
• Do not jump in to rescue a krathong or retrieve coins. Collection crews clear the water overnight.

Practical tips for Loy Krathong night

• Arrive early, ideally by 6 PM, to get a spot by the water before the big crowds.
• Use the BTS, MRT or river boats. Roads near the river jam badly and Grab prices surge.
• Bring small cash for krathongs, snacks and drinks. Stalls rarely take cards.
• Carry a lighter. Candles blow out and you will want to relight them.
• Dress respectfully if you are visiting a temple: shoulders and knees covered.
• Book cruises and riverside restaurants weeks ahead. Dinner cruises on the night often sell out.
• Watch your belongings in crowds, and agree on a meeting point with your group.
• Be patient on the way home. Trains run until around midnight, but the last hour is packed.

Expats can also take part with a lot less effort than tourists expect: many condo buildings, offices and international schools hold their own small floating events, and a quiet park lake can be lovely if the river feels too hectic. If you want to plan the whole week, check the calendar for Loy Krathong events by date, and see our free things to do in Bangkok for low-cost evenings out.

FAQ

When is Loy Krathong 2026 in Bangkok?

Most sources, including Thai calendars, give Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the 12th lunar month. A few list 25 November, and many venues run events over several nights, so confirm with the venue you plan to visit.

Is Loy Krathong a public holiday in Thailand?

No. It is a festival rather than a public holiday, so banks, offices and schools stay open. Celebrations start in the evening, which makes it easy to join after work.

Can tourists float a krathong?

Yes, and everyone is welcome. Buy one from a stall, light the candle and incense, make a wish and gently place it on the water. It is a respectful gesture to say a quiet thank-you as you let it go.

Can I release sky lanterns in Bangkok?

You should not. Sky lanterns and fireworks are tightly controlled in Bangkok for fire and air-traffic safety. The famous mass lantern releases are part of Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, held at ticketed, permitted events.

Where is the least crowded place to celebrate?

Public parks such as Benjakitti or smaller neighbourhood parks are usually calmer than the big riverside venues. Hotel gardens with ponds and community canals are also quieter options.

How much does a krathong cost?

Simple natural-material krathongs from street stalls typically cost around THB 50 to 150. Decorative ones and those sold at hotels or malls cost more.