Yi Peng Lantern Festival Night Celebration in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Hundreds of participants release illuminated sky lanterns during the annual Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, creating a spectacular display of floating lights against the night sky.
Read more about this photo
The Ancient Tradition
The Yi Peng Festival represents one of Thailand's most enchanting cultural celebrations, where thousands gather to release khom loi lanterns as offerings to Buddha and symbols of releasing misfortune.
The Moment of Release
As dusk transforms to night, participants light the wax fuel cells beneath their paper lanterns, watching them fill with warm golden light before ascending into the darkness alongside hundreds of others.
A Shared Experience
Locals and international visitors stand shoulder-to-shoulder in this communal celebration, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns drifting toward the stars above Chiang Mai.
Spot a mistake or location error? Let us know!