10 Things to do in Bangkok at Christmas

At Christmas time, many of the city's landmarks dress up for the occasion. Central World Mall is one of the main entertainment venues during the festive season, but there are many more attractions to be found here, including huge Christmas trees and lots of lights. You can also see huge Christmas trees and lots of lights.

You can also visit the Siam Paragon shopping mall to have a great time at the ice skating rink and other Christmas themed activities. Another special place to visit at Christmas is the Asiatique, which hosts a Christmas fair and live concerts, so it's definitely one of the best things to see and do in Bangkok at Christmas time.

If there is one thing that sets this market apart from all the other night markets in the city of Bangkok, it is the fact that it is only open during the Christmas season. However, you can enjoy this one especially if you sign up for one of the best tours of Bangkok, one of those that take you to see the city's most famous night markets, including the Great Gatsby.

This Christmas market is held at the K-Village, which is a shopping mall in Sukhumvit. One of the things you'll love and definitely enjoy is the vintage atmosphere of the Great Gatsby Market, which recreates the holiday spirit very well. Inside you can even sample the city's most daring gastronomic offerings, as you'll find more than 150 stalls offering a wide variety of food and drink.

Interesting details

• Price: You'll pay between 30 and 50 euros to enjoy a tour of Bangkok's Christmas markets.
• Hours: You can do this type of tour during the day or at night.
• Location: Christmas markets are located in different strategic points of the city.

In case you want to spend Christmas Eve in Bangkok, I recommend you to go on one of the best Christmas Eve cruises in Bangkok, in this case one that goes along the Chao Phraya River. I assure you that you will find it a unique and unforgettable experience. You will love the night view of the city from the river, while tasting some typical Thai food, or if you prefer, some western dishes.

During the cruise you will be able to admire the Christmas lights of greater Bangkok shining from the Chao Phraya River. Among the most incredible sights are the panoramic views of the Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew temples. In addition, you can enjoy the boats' decorations, as well as the live music and Christmas shows on board.

Interesting details

• Price: A Christmas Eve cruise can cost around 95 euros per person.
• Time: Usually, they depart along the Chao Phraya River at around 6am, with the intention of watching the sunset and the city lights from the sea.
• Location: the tour is along the Chao Phraya River.

One of the best things to do at Christmas is to join one of Bangkok's best tuk-tuk rides and experience the festive atmosphere of the city.

Tuk-tuks, a three-wheeled motorised vehicle, are a typical means of transport in the city. You will love this experience and get to the Christmas markets in the Silom district and other places, and you can even make stops whenever you want to buy Christmas gifts and souvenirs for your Christmas trip.

During the Christmas season, some neighbourhoods and streets in Bangkok decorate their roads with Christmas lights, which makes your tuk-tuk ride a more than pleasant experience. Walking through these neighbourhoods and enjoying the festive decorations is an attractive activity for locals and visitors alike, so it's perfect if you want to get to know a little more of the city.

Interesting details

• Price: You'll have to pay around 70 euros per person to take a tuk tuk ride to see the Christmas lights.
• Time: Generally, these types of rides usually start around 16:30.
• Location: These tours will take you all over the city.

If there's one place you have to visit in Bangkok at Christmas, it's the Asiatique Market, a popular place to shop for quality clothing, souvenirs, restaurants and massages. Also, during this time of year, the market is illuminated with Christmas lights and festive decorations, so you can take some of the best photos of the season inside, where you will also find a very lively atmosphere.

To visit this market, I recommend you sign up for a bike tour of Bangkok, which includes a stop at Asiatique. There you will also find a selection of Christmas decorations and souvenirs to remember your trip. You can also find seasonal Christmas products at each of the market's stalls and shops.

Overall, spending a night at the Asiatique Christmas market is a very enjoyable activity, allowing you to immerse yourself in Thai culture and its festive and welcoming Christmas atmosphere as an acquired Western culture.

Details of interest

• Price: The market does not require you to pay an entrance fee, but you will definitely want to buy everything once you are inside.
• Hours: You can visit this market from dusk until the wee hours of the morning.
• Location: Asiatique The Riverfront, a night market in Bangkok, is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Samphanthawong district.

If you're looking for one of Bangkok's best Christmas-themed food tours, there are a few restaurants that offer classic Western seasonal dishes, bearing in mind that for Thais this is an acquired tradition, so they don't have a typical Christmas meal to present.

In general, you are sure to find a wide variety of Christmas dining options in restaurants and bars throughout the city. You can also book a seat at a restaurant to enjoy Christmas dinners, which may include dishes such as roast turkey and stuffing, glazed ham, smoked salmon and the like.

Interesting details

• Price: Prices of dishes may vary according to the menu of each restaurant. If you take a gastronomic tour it can cost around 50 euros per person.
• Time: You can do this tour during the day or at night, it all depends on what you want to see.
• Location: there are many places in the city where you can sample Western Christmas cuisine.

One of the most beautiful activities you can attend during Christmas time in Bangkok are the masses held at the Santa Cruz Church. This is a celebration where you can share with the rest of the Spanish speaking community in Bangkok to commemorate the Christmas season. Generally during this activity, the community is encouraged to bring certain foods to share among the parishioners.

You will be able to enjoy the mass, the sharing among the people present and the Christmas songs that are offered during the event. It is an activity in which you can participate with the rest of the family, you can even bring the children, because they usually set up a living nativity scene for the entertainment of all present.

Details of interest

• Price: these masses are free, so you can enter without paying anything.
• Time: Christmas masses usually take place during the early morning hours between 6:00 and 9:00.
• Location: Holy Cross Church is located in the Samphanthawong district on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

During the Christmas season, the ice skating rink at Central World is activated and becomes a very popular attraction. You will love ice skating while watching the Christmas decorations spread throughout the mall, which is definitely a thrilling experience. This is one of those activities you have to do in Bangkok with kids during the season, because not only will they be able to go ice skating, but they will also be able to practice with the available instructors who will teach them how to master the rink.

You will love how the ice rink at Central World is nicely decorated and set with lighting and sound features that create a more fun atmosphere, making it a very popular place to visit and enjoy in the city during the Christmas season. If you don't have skates, don't worry, because you can rent them inside the mall in the ice rink area.

Interesting details

• Price: admission to the ice rink usually costs no more than 10 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Generally open all day, although opening hours may vary from year to year.
• Location: The ice skating rink at the Central World Bangkok Shopping Centre is located on the ground floor of the mall, near the main entrance. Bangkok Central World Shopping Centre is located in the heart of Siam, in the Pathum Wan district.

The Mahanakhon Bangkok is one of the finest skyscrapers located in Bangkok. With a height of 314 metres and 77 floors, an observation deck at the top that offers panoramic views of the city and what is billed as one of the world's most impressive observation decks, the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, this building will not leave you indifferent.

Inside the Mahanakhon Bangkok, you'll find a lively bar during the hot Thai nights, plus a glass-floored rooftop area that will make you think twice before stepping foot on it. If you're one of the brave ones, it's an indescribable feeling to walk over the city from there.

In Bangkok, you can generally celebrate the New Year in a big way. There are events that include spectacular fireworks displays at iconic locations such as the Chao Phraya River, and there are also many bars and restaurants in the city that offer New Year's Eve events to celebrate the occasion. But without a doubt, celebrating at the MahaNakhon is one of the best New Year's Eve plans.

Details of interest

• Price: Tickets to the observatories of this tower can cost around 27 euros per person.
• Time: I recommend visiting these observatories until after 18:00, when you can see the Christmas lights illuminating Bangkok.
• Location: Mahanakhon Tower is located in the financial district of Sathon in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the tallest skyscraper in Thailand at 314 metres high.

Enjoying the Christmas version of Afternoon Tea is an enjoyable and festive experience that you will love to do in Bangkok. It is a British tradition that has been adopted by Bangkokians and is celebrated in different places in the city, such as Palm Court.

An elegant place where you can enjoy a variety of afternoon teas, including a special Christmas version. An activity where you will not only relax, but also enjoy the festive atmosphere while drinking tea with friends and family.

Christmas tea is generally different from tea enjoyed all year round, because at Christmas it is prepared with a blend of herbs and spices that give it a characteristic flavour and aroma of the season, including flavours such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. It is usually served in a special teapot for the occasion and is served with biscuits or Christmas cake.

Interesting details

• Price: Prices may vary according to the policies of each establishment or restaurant.
• Hours: Afternoon tea times may vary, although it is generally a tradition that takes place between mid-afternoon and early evening.
• Location: You can enjoy afternoon tea in different restaurants and venues around the city.

If you are looking for some Christmas fun for kids and the whole family, let me tell you that a good option is Dream World. It is a theme park located in Thailand that is quite popular. It has a wide variety of attractions, such as roller coasters, water rides, themed gardens and children's play areas. It also offers live shows and themed parades, an amazing experience.

If you go during the winter holidays, which coincide with the Christmas season, you can find a really great Christmas atmosphere at Dream World. You can enjoy a variety of special seasonal activities and events, such as parades, live shows, themed decorations, sleigh rides and much more. You can even see a night show called "Colours of the World", which usually has a special Christmas theme during the season.

Also on this site is the so-called Snow Village, which is one of the most sought-after attractions for children. It is a small artificial village with snow houses and many other attractions inside. This village is only set up during the Christmas months, i.e. between November and January.

Interesting details

• Price: the entrance fee to this park is usually between 30 and 40 euros per person.
• Opening hours: This park is generally open between 10:00 and 17:00 every day.
• Location: The Dream World theme park in Bangkok is located in the province of Thanyaburi, north of the city of Bangkok.