10 Things to do in Bangkok at Christmas

At Christmas time, many emblematic places in the city dress up for the occasion. The Central World mall is one of the main places of entertainment during these dates, but you can find many more attractions in this place. You can also see huge Christmas trees and lots of lights.

You can also visit the Siam Paragon mall, to spend incredible moments in their ice skating rink and other Christmas themed activities they offer. Another special place to visit at Christmas is the Asiatique, which organizes a Christmas fair and live concerts, so without a doubt one of the best things to see and do in Bangkok, is to tour the city at Christmas.

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

This Christmas market is held at the K-Village, which is a shopping mall in Sukhumvit. One of the things that you are going to love and definitely enjoy the most is the vintage atmosphere of the Great Gatsby market, which also recreates the spirit of this holiday season very well. Inside you can even try the most daring gastronomic offer of the city, because you will find more than 150 stalls offering a wide variety of food and drink.

Interesting details

• Price: you will pay between 30 and 50 euros to enjoy a tour of Bangkok to see the Christmas markets.
• Hours: you can do this kind of tours both during the day and 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 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 you taste some typical Thai food, or if you prefer, some western dishes.

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

Details of interest

• Price: a cruise on Christmas Eve can cost around 95 euros per person.
• Time: generally, they leave to tour the Chao Phraya River at around 6 o'clock, with the intention of seeing the sunset and the city lights from the sea.
• Location: the tour is along the Chao Phraya River.

One activity I recommend you to do at Christmas is to sign up for one of the best tuk-tuk rides in Bangkok, and thus, experience the festive atmosphere of the city.

Tuk-tuks, a three-wheeled motorized vehicle, are a typical means of transportation 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 of your Christmas trip.

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

Details of interest

• Price: you will 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: on these rides you will go all over the city.

If there is one place you have to visit in Bangkok at Christmas, it is the Asiatique market, a popular place for shopping and where you can find clothes, quality souvenirs, restaurants and massages. Also, during this time of the 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. Inside 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 stores.

Overall, spending a night at the Asiatique market at Christmas is a very pleasant activity, which will allow you to immerse yourself in Thai culture and its festive and cozy atmosphere of Christmas, as an acquired Western culture.

Details of interest

• Price: the market does not require you to pay an entrance fee, but you will certainly want to buy everything once you are inside.
• Hours: You can visit this market from nightfall 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 are looking for one of the best Christmas-themed food tours in Bangkok, there are some restaurants that offer classic Western seasonal dishes, keeping 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 reserve 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.

Details of interest

• Price: the prices of the dishes may vary according to the menu of each restaurant. If you take a gastronomic tour it can cost you around 50 euros per person.
• Schedule: you can do this tour during the day or at night, it all depends on what you want to know.
• Location: there are many places in the city where you can taste the western Christmas gastronomy.

One of the most beautiful activities you can attend during Christmas time in Bangkok is the masses held at the Santa Cruz church. It is a celebration in which 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 those present and the Christmas songs 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 install 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.
• Schedule: Christmas masses usually take place in the mornings, first thing in the morning, 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 looking at the Christmas decorations that infects the entire 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 get to go ice skating, but they will also get 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.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance to the ice rink usually costs no more than 10 euros per person.
• Hours: it is generally open all day long, although the hours may vary from year to year.
• Location: the ice skating rink at the Central World Bangkok Shopping Mall is located on the first floor of the mall, near the main entrance. Bangkok Central World Shopping Center is located in the heart of Siam, in the Pathum Wan district.

The Mahanakhon Bangkok is one of the best skyscrapers located in Bangkok. With a height of 314 meters and 77 floors, an observation deck at the top that offers panoramic views of the city and with what is listed as one of the most impressive viewpoints in the world, the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, this building will not leave you indifferent.

Inside the Mahanakhon Bangkok, you will find a very lively bar during the hot Thai nights, plus a glass-floored rooftop area that will make you think twice before stepping on it. If you are one of the braver ones, walking over the city from there is an indescribable feeling.

In Bangkok, in general, you can celebrate the New Year in a big way. There are events that include spectacular fireworks 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 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.
• Hours: I recommend you to visit these observatories until after 18:00, when you can see the Christmas lights illuminating Bangkok.
• Location: the Mahanakhon Tower is located in the financial district of Sathon in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the tallest skyscraper in Thailand with 314 meters 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 in which you will not only relax, but also enjoy the festive atmosphere while drinking tea with friends or family.

In general, Christmas tea is different from the tea enjoyed throughout the year, because at Christmas it is prepared with a mixture of herbs and spices that give it a flavor and aroma characteristic of the season, among which stand out flavors such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. In addition, it is usually offered in a special teapot for the occasion and served with cookies or Christmas cake.

Details of interest

• 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 places 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. This 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 incredible experience.

If you go during the winter vacations, 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 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 installed during the Christmas months, that is, between November and January.

Interesting details

• Price: the entrance fee to this park is usually between 30 and 40 euros per person.
• 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.