November is one of the easiest months to bring children to Chiang Mai. The rains are finishing and the lantern festival falls late in the month. This planner covers the weather, the 2026 festival dates and crowds, plus how to fill the days so the big nights stay fun.
What is the weather like in Chiang Mai in November?
Warm days, cooler mornings and very little rain. Rough Guides gives average highs of around 30°C and lows of around 18°C, with about 35mm of rain across the month. The chance of a wet day falls as the month goes on, so late November is usually the driest stretch. That makes it a good month for outdoor plans with children.
The sun still has real strength around midday, so plan outdoor time for the morning and late afternoon. The cooler evenings help on festival nights: children stay comfortable walking around after dark, and a light layer is usually enough.
Early November can still bring the odd shower as the wet season tails off. Keep one indoor or shaded option in your back pocket for those days and the plan holds up.
When are Yi Peng and Loy Krathong in 2026?
Both festivals fall on the same nights in 2026. Thai Holiday Guide lists Yi Peng for 24 to 25 November 2026, coinciding with Loy Krathong. Yi Peng is the sky lantern festival of northern Thailand. Loy Krathong is when people float small decorated baskets on water. In Chiang Mai the two blend into a few glowing evenings across the city.
The free celebrations in town centre on temples, the Old City moat and the Ping River. Wat Phan Tao fills with candlelit lanterns, Tha Phae Gate hosts the main street party, and families float krathongs on the moat or near Nawarat Bridge. All of it is open to anyone who turns up.
The famous mass sky lantern releases are a separate thing. These happen at licensed, ticketed venues outside the city, and the same guide notes some 2026 events have already sold out. Free unlicensed lantern releases are banned in and around the city. If a mass release is on your list, book it now.
How busy is Chiang Mai in November with kids?
Busier than the rainy months, and very busy around the festival. November opens the high season, with Rough Guides naming December and January as the true peak. The first half of November is calmer and better value. The festival nights bring the biggest crowds of the month, especially in the Old City and along the river.
With children, crowds are the main thing to plan for. Book accommodation and any ticketed lantern event early. On festival nights, go out early in the evening, agree on a meeting point, and pick one or two spots instead of trying to see everything. Small children on shoulders see more and wander less.
Daytime is far easier. Popular temples and markets get busier, but parks, gardens and outdoor activities stay relaxed through the morning and afternoon.
How do you fill the days around the festival nights?
Keep the days light so the evenings go well. A good rhythm is an active morning, a long shaded break through the hottest hours, then a nap or slow activity in the late afternoon before heading out after dark. Plan quieter days either side of the festival nights. Tired children and packed streets are a poor mix, so rest days belong in the plan.
For a structured week, our four day Chiang Mai family itinerary is easy to shift around 24 and 25 November. Animal farms, temple mornings and café stops all suit the dry weather. If the budget is stretched after booking a lantern release, there are plenty of cheap things to do in Chiang Mai with kids.
The day after the festival is the one to protect. Late nights catch up with everyone, so pick something unhurried and outdoors. Our guide to a rest day between tours has ideas that ask very little of anyone.
Garden mini golf works well here. A round takes about 1 to 2 hours, there is shaded seating, and nobody has to book ahead. Children who finish early can move on to the lawn games while adults sit down with a cold drink.
What should you know before a garden mini golf afternoon?
Walk in any day between 09:00 and 18:00, with no booking needed. Allow about 1 to 2 hours for the 18 holes, plus time for ice cream and lawn games afterwards. Late afternoon suits November well, as the heat eases before the festival evenings begin. For groups or a birthday, message ahead so space is set aside.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Course | 18-hole garden mini golf in Chiang Mai |
| Booking | None needed, walk in |
| Opening hours | Every day, 09:00 to 18:00 |
| Time needed | About 1 to 2 hours per round |
| Food and drink | Cold drinks, snacks and ice cream |
| Seating | Shaded garden seating |
| Lawn games | Cornhole, board games, frisbee |
| Groups and events | Welcome, message ahead so space is set aside |
You can see more on the course page.
What should families pack for Chiang Mai in November?
Pack for warm days and cool evenings. Light clothes, sun hats and sunscreen cover the daytime, and a thin jumper or long sleeves help after dark. Bring comfortable shoes for crowded festival streets, mosquito repellent for the evenings, and modest clothing for temple visits. A small torch or glow band makes children easy to spot in a crowd at night.
Before the festival nights, write your own phone number on a wristband or card for each child. Carry water and snacks too. Crowds can make the walk back slow, and hungry children get tired fast.