Loy Krathong festival checklist

A Loy Krathong festival needs more than krathongs and lanterns. You need a confirmed water point, permission to use it, a clear route, safe lighting and enough volunteers to manage arrivals, food and the floating area. Work backwards from the festival date: confirm suppliers and registrations early, make krathongs in advance, then reserve the final hours for weather checks and site safety. This checklist keeps planning, purchasing and setup in the right order.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set the date and program
2 people
Reserving the venue and water point
2 people
Check permits and safety rules
2 people
Contact food suppliers
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Assign volunteers
2 people
Publish program and route
Order Krathong materials
2 people
Order decorations
Calculate catering quantities
2 people
Buy food and drinks
3 people
Make krathongs in advance
4 people
Prepare name badges
Print menus and signs
Check the weather forecast
Open venue
2 people
Conduct a safety check
2 people
Build party tents
4 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up buffet tables
3 people
Place information signs
2 people
Hang decorations
3 people
Set up light arches and lanterns
3 people
Test sound and music
2 people
Set up krathong table
3 people
Lay out candles and incense
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare snacks
4 people
Reheat hot dishes
3 people
Set up the coffee and tea station
2 people
Set up the registration table
2 people
Place waste stations
2 people

Event

Staff the reception desk
2 people
Register visitors
2 people
Explain the program
Hand out krathongs
3 people
Have krathongs decorated
4 people
Supervise children's activity
2 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Restock the buffet
3 people
Mark vegetarian dishes
Give the opening speech
Provide cultural explanation
Give safety instructions
Supervise the first light moment
3 people
Guide krathongs to the water point
4 people
Light candles safely
3 people
Oversee the waterfront
3 people
Provide music
Supervise the photo corner
Serve dessert and fruit
2 people
Handle the final drink round
2 people
Announce the farewell
Ensure visitors leave safely
3 people

Aftercare

Collect lost items
2 people
Store leftovers in the fridge
2 people
Sort and dispose of waste
3 people
Remove krathong remains from the water
4 people
Wash the dishes and kitchenware
3 people
Clean tables and chairs
2 people
Remove decorations
3 people
Take down party tents
4 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Store unused stock
2 people
Handle lost and found

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 100
Buffet tablesqty 4
High tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 14

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable bowlsqty 120
Reusable glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 100
Knivesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving bowlsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 8

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Waterproof work traysqty 8
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 20
LED candlesqty 30

Decorations

Paper lanternsqty 30
Thai flagsqty 6
Flower garlandsqty 8
Decorative clothsqty 8
Krathong basketsqty 120
Banana leavesqty 150
Flower decorationqty 120
Bamboo sticksqty 200
Wooden skewersqty 200
Craft table runnersqty 4
Information boardsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Waste sorting binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Rubber glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Confirm the water point and permits before sending invitations. Check whether floating krathongs, open flames, amplified sound and temporary party tents require separate approval.
Collect registrations and dietary requirements before calculating catering quantities. Final numbers should be available before you buy food, drinks, ice and disposable or reusable serving supplies.
Make krathongs in advance rather than leaving all construction until event day. Store them dry and prepare enough finished pieces for registered guests plus a small reserve.
Plan lighting around cable safety, not just appearance. Keep extension cords and power strips away from wet areas, use LED candles near the water, and test the microphone, speakers and lanterns before guests arrive.
Set an event-day sequence with named volunteers: opening the venue, checking tents and tables, managing the buffet, guiding guests to the water and monitoring the floating area. Complete the safety check before decorations and lanterns become obstacles.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a Loy Krathong festival?: Start at least 8 to 12 weeks before the festival. Use the first weeks for the date, program, water point, permits and suppliers; confirm registrations and quantities during the final 2 to 3 weeks.
How many krathongs should I prepare per guest?: Prepare 1 krathong per registered guest, plus around 10% extra for damage, late registrations or shared family use. Finish making them at least 1 week before the event so there is time to inspect and store them.
What should I check before launching krathongs?: Check the water access, lighting, weather, crowd flow and any local safety rules before the launch begins. Assign at least 2 volunteers to the water point and complete the site check before guests are invited to the edge.
When should I set up the Loy Krathong festival venue?: Open the venue several hours before guests arrive. Put up party tents, tables and buffet areas first, then signs and decorations; test lights, speakers and the microphone at least 60 minutes before the program starts.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.