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There’s something universally magical about lantern festivals. No matter where you are in the world, the simple act of light pushing back against darkness taps into something ancient and emotional. Lanterns have long symbolised hope, remembrance, renewal and good fortune, but today they also offer travellers something else entirely: unforgettable shared moments. Whether they’re floating gently down rivers, glowing softly in historic streets or rising en masse into the night sky, lantern festivals have a way of slowing time and sharpening memories.
What makes these celebrations especially appealing for travel is how deeply they’re rooted in local culture. They’re not staged performances for visitors; they’re living traditions where communities gather, families reconnect and centuries-old rituals continue under modern skies. As a traveller, you’re invited to observe, participate and occasionally make a wish of your own.
This journey takes you across Asia and beyond, exploring the world’s most captivating lantern festivals. From the cinematic skies of northern Thailand to quiet riverside towns in Vietnam, from ancient Chinese traditions to South Korea’s illuminated storytelling, each festival has its own rhythm and personality. Some are grand and awe-inspiring, others intimate and reflective, but all share the same quiet promise: step into the glow and you’ll leave changed, even if only a little.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival & Loy Krathong — Chiang Mai, Thailand
If lantern festivals had a headline act, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival would be it. Held in northern Thailand, Yi Peng is the image many travellers picture when they think of lanterns: thousands of glowing paper lights rising together into the night sky. It’s breathtaking, emotional and every bit as magical as it appears.
Yi Peng is traditionally celebrated alongside Loy Krathong, creating a beautifully balanced festival that honours both sky and water. As lanterns drift upward, intricately decorated krathongs — small lotus-shaped floats carrying candles and flowers — are released onto rivers. The symbolism is powerful: letting go of the past while welcoming good fortune for the year ahead.
Chiang Mai provides a deeply atmospheric backdrop. Ancient temples, leafy streets and a mountain-ringed skyline give the city a spiritual calm that intensifies during the festival. Monks chant, families gather and strangers share quiet smiles as lanterns float overhead.
For travellers drawn to experiencing this moment as part of a wider journey, it pairs naturally with other lantern celebrations across the region. Our South East Asia’s Lantern Festivals itinerary links Chiang Mai with the glowing streets of Hội An and the relaxed beaches of Phuket, creating a thoughtfully paced journey through culture, celebration and light.
Chinese Lantern Festival — China
The Chinese Lantern Festival marks the grand finale of Lunar New Year celebrations and it does so with unmistakable flair. Celebrated across China on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, this festival transforms cities and towns into glowing galleries of light, colour and symbolism.
Unlike sky lantern festivals, this celebration focuses on elaborate lantern displays. Think towering dragons, illuminated palaces, zodiac animals and scenes from folklore, often constructed on an astonishing scale. In cities like Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, lantern installations can stretch across parks, historic streets and temple grounds, drawing families out well into the evening.
The festival is rich with traditions. Lantern riddles challenge passers by, performances fill public squares and tangyuan — sweet glutinous rice balls — are eaten to symbolise family unity. There’s a joyful energy in the air, one that blends ancient customs with modern creativity.
For visitors, the Chinese Lantern Festival offers a chance to see how tradition evolves without losing its soul. While the designs may now use LED lights and modern engineering, the heart of the festival remains unchanged: light as a symbol of reunion, clarity and hope. It’s a wonderful way to experience China at its most celebratory, communal and visually spectacular.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival — Taiwan
Set in a small mountain town northeast of Taipei, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival feels refreshingly intimate compared to its more famous counterparts. This is not a festival that overwhelms with scale; instead, it charms through meaning and simplicity.
Pingxi’s tradition began centuries ago as a way for villagers to signal safety after periods of unrest. Today, that same act of releasing lanterns carries wishes rather than warnings. Visitors write hopes, dreams and sometimes very specific life goals directly onto lanterns before lighting them and watching them float into the night.
The setting is a huge part of the appeal. Lanterns rise above old railway tracks, hillside homes and forested slopes, creating a scene that feels suspended between past and present. The pace is slower, the mood reflective and the experience surprisingly emotional.
Timing coincides with the Lunar New Year period, making it an excellent addition to a wider Taiwan itinerary. While the crowds have grown over the years, the festival retains its sincerity. You don’t feel like a spectator here; you feel like a participant in a shared moment of hope. It’s gentle, beautiful and quietly unforgettable.
Hội An Lantern Festival — Vietnam
Unlike festivals that happen once a year, the Hội An Lantern Festival takes place every full moon and that regular rhythm is part of its charm. On these evenings, the historic town of Hội An switches off electric lights, allowing silk lanterns to softly illuminate its mustard-yellow buildings and riverside streets.
There’s no rush here, no grand countdown. Instead, the town eases into the evening. Locals and visitors wander the old quarter, candles flicker on the Thu Bồn River and traditional music drifts through the air. Lanterns float gently on the water, each one carrying a quiet wish.
Hội An’s festival feels deeply romantic, but not in an overproduced way. It’s subtle and atmospheric, best enjoyed slowly with time to wander, stop for coffee and simply take it all in. The monthly schedule also makes it accessible — you don’t need to plan your entire trip around one specific date.
For travellers seeking something calm and visually stunning, this festival offers a different kind of magic. It’s less about spectacle and more about mood. You leave feeling relaxed, reflective and very glad you didn’t rush through it.
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival — South Korea
The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival blends beauty with history in a way few lantern festivals do. Held along the Namgang River in Jinju, this autumn celebration dates back to wartime traditions when lanterns were used as signals and protective symbols.
Today, the river becomes a glowing ribbon of light. Lanterns shaped like soldiers, animals, mythical figures and symbolic icons float across the water, telling stories from Korean history and folklore. Bridges and riverbanks are lined with illuminated displays, while reflections ripple across the surface below.
What sets this festival apart is its strong narrative focus. It’s not just about light for light’s sake; each lantern carries meaning. Visitors can learn about historic battles, local legends and regional traditions while enjoying the visual spectacle.
The atmosphere is lively but grounded, with a strong local presence and fewer international crowds than some better-known festivals. For visitors looking to experience something culturally rich and slightly under the radar, Jinju delivers both beauty and depth — a festival that glows with purpose.
Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights — Myanmar
The Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights is lantern-inspired, but it plays by its own rules. Celebrated in Taunggyi, this festival replaces traditional lanterns with enormous illuminated hot-air balloons, many of them launched at night amid fireworks and cheering crowds.
It’s chaotic, loud and thrilling in the best possible way. Balloons rise unexpectedly, sometimes spinning, sometimes bursting into light and always commanding attention. The energy is electric and the spectacle feels raw and authentic.
Tazaungdaing also has deep religious roots, marking the end of the Buddhist rainy season and celebrating generosity and enlightenment. Daytime events are calmer, with competitions, markets and community gatherings, while the night launches deliver pure drama.
For adventurous travellers, this festival offers something genuinely different. It’s not polished or predictable, but that unpredictability is part of the appeal. Few events feel as alive, surprising and deeply local as Tazaungdaing.
Conclusion & Honourable Mentions
Lantern festivals remind us why travel matters. They’re not about ticking boxes or chasing landmarks; they’re about moments shared under glowing skies and along shimmering rivers. Each festival on this list offers its own interpretation of light — whether as hope, remembrance, celebration or renewal — and each leaves a lasting impression long after the lanterns fade.
Beyond these core festivals, a few honourable mentions deserve attention. Diwali bathes cities across India in oil lamps and fireworks, creating one of the world’s most joyful celebrations of light. In the United States, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta delivers unforgettable dawn and night-glow experiences, where illuminated balloons rise against desert skies. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Taipei Lantern Festival blends modern design with traditional symbolism in striking, creative ways.
Wherever you choose to go, lantern festivals have a way of illuminating more than just the night. They shine a light on culture, community and the simple joy of being present — and that’s a glow worth travelling for.
