Residents and visitors gathered along the Ping River in Chiang Mai last night for the annual Lanterns Over the Ping River celebration, a small community festival known for its calm atmosphere and strong local character. Families arrived before sunset to watch traditional dancers perform on a wooden riverside stage, while nearby stalls served sticky rice desserts, grilled river fish, and fresh coconut sweets. As darkness fell, hundreds of paper lanterns were released into the sky, creating a warm glow over the water and drawing applause from the crowd.
Organisers said the event was created to celebrate neighbourhood traditions and support small local vendors, many of whom sold out before the evening ended. Children took part in lantern painting workshops, and local musicians played acoustic sets until late in the evening. Many attendees described the event as one of the most relaxing and meaningful nights of the season.