Chiang Mai CAD New Year Sky Lantern Festival Ticket on 31 Dec 2026

The Legend and Origin of the Lantern Festival

It is said that releasing sky lanterns is a way for the Lanna people to express their culture and customs. The Lanna people believe that by lighting and releasing sky lanterns, they can pay homage to the Buddha in the heavens, blessing the Lanna people with peace and happiness!!

◇◆ Welcoming Arch: 1‑2 days before the Lantern Festival, the ancient Lanna people and the current Chiang Mai people customarily place an arch at their doorways, temple gates, company entrances, or any other places, built with banana leaves, sugarcane, and various auspicious fresh flowers. The arch is decorated with many ancient lanterns and local Thai flowers, resembling a forest gate, hence we call this arch the "Welcoming Arch." Since the Lanna people believe in listening to monks preach Buddhist teachings, the forest arch is built to welcome the Buddha, who comes out from the forest to the bustling city, so wherever there is a "Welcoming Arch," the Buddha will go there!!

◇◆ Candle Lights: Since the Lanna people believe that lighting candle lights is to pay homage and show gratitude to those people and things that have been kind to them, such as doors, walls, windows, and stairs. At the same time, the Lanna people believe that the light of the candles can bring wisdom to people's hearts, guiding them to move forward. Therefore, during the Lantern Festival, besides releasing lanterns, lighting candle lights has also become one of the rituals of the Lanna people. The whole city is surrounded by candle lights, creating a magical beauty!!

CAD Lantern Festival Highlights

On 31 December, join the mass release of sky lanterns and witness the sky being illuminated together, celebrating the exciting moment of the New Year's arrival.

Celebrate the countdown to 2027 in a wonderful environment full of joy, tradition, and community spirit.

Enjoy the spectacular fireworks display by Thailand's top fireworks team in the Chiang Mai night sky, and be amazed by the brilliance of the starry sky.

Discover unique artworks and handicrafts at the local exhibition, and join hands‑on workshops to create your own souvenirs.

Taste authentic Thai cuisine, with various traditional dishes freshly prepared during the festival.

Enjoy live performances of traditional Lanna music and dance, and witness spiritual ceremonies that pass on the rich cultural heritage of Northern Thailand.

— Itinerary —

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

‑ Visitors holding Elite, Platinum, Gold, and Standard tickets, please gather at Chiang Mai Airport Centre (in front of Go Wholesale car park). We will arrange vehicles to take you to the Chiang Mai Lanna Cultural Centre.

‑ Visitors holding Lanna Shabu‑Shabu tickets, please arrange your own transport to the CAD Lanna Cultural Centre in Chiang Mai.

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm: Arrive at the event venue, complete the e‑ticket check‑in, and collect your physical badge. Enjoy various activities, snacks, and refreshments at CAD Village and the Lanna Ancient Market.

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm: Dining area is open; you can relax, play games, and explore the activity zone.

— Pagoda Zone —

9:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Gates open

10:00 pm – 10:30 pm:

‑ Lanna Performance: "Light of Faith, 730 Years of Lanna Glory"

‑ Lanna Orchestra Performance 11:00 pm – Captivating Lanna orchestra performance

11:30 pm – 11:59 pm: Countdown preparation, including light and sound shows, followed by the release of sky lanterns

——After Midnight——

12:00 am to 12:30 am: Grand fireworks display. After the fireworks display, please board the vehicle at the Chiang Mai Airport collection point, ready to go to the Night Bazaar, Maya Shopping Centre, or Chiang Mai Airport Centre. Please choose your drop‑off point before boarding at the collection point: Maya Lifestyle Shopping Centre, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

The above itinerary is for reference only; please refer to the actual travel arrangements.

— Important Information —

Event Date: 31 December 2026

Event Venue: Lanna Cultural Centre

Collection Point:

‑ Travellers holding Elite, Platinum, Gold, and Standard tickets, please gather in front of the Go WholeSale car park at Chiang Mai Airport Centre area.

‑ Spectators holding Lanna Shabu‑Shabu tickets, please go directly to the Lanna Cultural Centre.

Drop‑off Points:

‑ Maya Lifestyle Shopping Centre

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Standard tickets include regular vehicle service, while Elite, Gold, and Platinum tickets provide air‑conditioned premium vehicle service.

Children under 8 years old can enter for free, but please note that seats and sky lanterns are not included. The ticket link will be sent to you by email within 7 working days after booking. Please be patient and check your mailbox.

Please click the link in the voucher to download the e‑ticket to your device in advance, as the network connection at the event venue may be unstable.

The name of at least one traveller on the ticket must match the name on the valid identification document. Please prepare a photo of your ID for verification on the day of travel.

Pick‑up Point for Shuttle Service

◇◆ Outbound Gathering Point: Elite, Platinum, Gold, and Standard ticket holders: Chiang Mai Airport Centre Station (opposite Go WholeSale car park); Lanna Hotpot ticket holders: CAD Lanna Cultural Centre

◇◆ Outbound Gathering Time: Please arrive at the gathering point by 17:30 on the day, queue up to board the vehicle, and depart when full (latest bus at 18:00)!!

◇◆ Return Gathering Point:

After the event concludes, find the parking area, where event staff will assist in guiding you to queue for boarding. Depart when full, and return to Maya Lifestyle Shopping Centre and Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, ending the trip!!