The nearly week-long Loy Kratong celebrations held in Chiang Mai are by far the most interesting in Thailand. The festival is held on the night of the 12th full moon, which lands some time in November. Several streets in the old city are closed to traffic at night for a huge market featuring several stage shows. On the night of Loy Kratong, there's a parade of giant kratongs along with contestants for the title of Miss Nopamas. The procession starts at the Tapae Gate and ends at the river-side where the giant kratongs are floated.