10 Things to Do in Bangkok in Winter

During the winter season you will find the best things to do in Bangkok. From traditional Thai celebrations, to Western Christmas to Chinese New Year, Bangkok is a multicultural city. Everywhere you walk you will see color and celebrations.

The weather during these months is not exactly a freezing winter with snow, but rather a cool one with temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 35 °C. Therefore, you can comfortably stroll through the streets of the city without suffering from the heat. In addition, the rains are not frequent, so you will have more freedom to take tours and walks even outside the city.

Exploring a country's gastronomy is one of the best ways to delve into its culture and customs. In Bangkok you will always find a varied and exquisite culinary offer. Especially during the winter you will have the opportunity to taste its best hot food dishes. Take advantage of the less hot time of the year to eat these delicacies!

There are several options to experience winter food while touring the city. One of the favorites are the gastronomic tours. Here an experienced guide will take you to the best restaurants and food stalls in Bangkok. He will also tell you about the history of all the dishes you try.

Among the dishes you are sure to try is khao soi. This recipe originates from northern Thailand and consists of noodles with curry and coconut milk with chicken, pork or beef along with a variety of vegetables. Another typical dish is jok, a rice porridge served with pork with onions and ginger.

If you definitely love Thai winter food, another plan is to take cooking classes in Bangkok. This way you can replicate these dishes at home when you return from vacation. Your guide and chef will help you choose the best ingredients and explain all the secrets to create delicious dishes.

The Wonderfruit Festival is an annual celebration that takes place in the month of December when winter begins in Bangkok. Note that to go you must travel for at least two hours to reach Chon Buri province. Therefore, this can count as an excursion from Bangkok.

The festival is usually held in mid-December for one weekend. There you will find concerts, art exhibitions and workshops on ecology and sustainability. Food is another main attraction of this festival. You can eat at one of the many food stalls and tents at the festival.

The average cost of a ticket for at least three days is 200 €. To this figure you must add your stay in the province, as it will be more comfortable than having to travel to Bangkok at the end of each day of the festival. No doubt you will love to celebrate together with thousands of Thais art and nature.

Details of interest

• Price: the average entrance fee is 200 €.
• Duration: the dates of the festival vary annually.
• Location: The Fields at Siam Country Club, 50 Moo 9, Pong, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand.

The Festival of Light or Loy Krathong is celebrated during the winter and, as it is subject to the lunar calendar, it may be held some years in November and others in December. This is one of the most beautiful celebrations in Thailand and some people know it as Thai Valentine's Day.

After the rainy season, the rivers are clear, the skies are clear and it is the ideal time to celebrate this festival. People gather on the banks of the Chao Phraya River to participate in traditional activities. The most prominent is to make floating offerings that attract good luck for the coming year.

With this act they intend to thank the goddess of water for what they have received in the previous year. The offerings are made with containers made from a section of banana tree trunk. These are decorated with a candle, banana leaves and incense. If you want to make one, follow the instructions so you don't get burned and your offering doesn't sink.

You can also see cultural performances such as concerts and traditional dances. Another way to celebrate this special date is to visit the best temples in Bangkok. Wat Pho and Wat Arun stand out among the others for having special celebrations during these dates.

Please note that to attend the Water Lantern Festival celebration you should wear light clothing, but avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts at all costs. This recommendation especially applies when visiting the temples in Bangkok.

Taking a cruise in Bangkok is always an ideal plan in this city. However during February, another of the city's particular winter months, it becomes even more special. I recommend you to travel with your partner during this month and celebrate Valentine's Day with this romantic plan.

On the other hand, the season is ideal for this trip along the Chao Phraya River. The weather is pleasant and cool compared to other times of the year. Moreover, this is a dry season, so it is unlikely that a rain will ruin your cruise. This also gives you the opportunity to see the sky more clearly and the city clearer.

Also, the cruise decorations are usually beautiful. You will have the opportunity to see beautiful flower arrangements and pose with them for beautiful photographs. On the cruise you can also enjoy a delicious traditional dinner as a couple and a well-deserved toast in the name of love.

Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations in the lunar calendar and thousands of people celebrate it worldwide. Bangkok is no exception, so when you travel to this city during the winter, you will have the opportunity to celebrate it. The date usually varies, but it always falls between the coolest months of the year.

You are probably wondering how to celebrate this date in Bangkok. Well, I have good news, you have many options! The main one is to visit Chinatown in Bangkok. There you will see that all the streets are decorated with red and gold lanterns and all the stores and restaurants offer typical Chinese New Year items and food.

The Dragon Parade is the highlight of the Chinese New Year and you can also see it in Chinatown. Several dance teams participate in the parade and parade through the streets dressed in impressive costumes while performing amazing choreographies following the rhythm of the drums and cymbals.

Another activity you can enjoy to celebrate this occasion is to visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha, also known as Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. This is located at the entrance of Chinatown and is famous for its impressive golden Buddha statue. It is worth a visit during this and other times of the year.

If the winter month in which you make your visit to Bangkok happens to be December, then I invite you to visit the Great Gatsby Christmas Market. Every year at the K-Village, a shopping mall in Sukhumvit a market is organized in honor of the holidays. There you will find beautiful Christmas lights and food typical of the season.

Although the predominant religion in Thailand is Buddhism, Christmas is a holiday that has endeared itself to many Thais. Therefore, it is common to find Christmas decorations throughout the city. You won't have time to miss Christmas at home, as you will find the same magic of this holiday here.

If you are traveling with children to Bangkok during this time, you will definitely have to take them to this market. They will be able to eat delicious Christmas desserts typical internationally and other traditional Thai ones. In addition, you will be able to do some shopping to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve.

Interesting details

• Price: you don't need to buy a ticket to enjoy the market.
• Hours: The market is open during December.
• Location: 93, Klongtan, Klongtoey 95 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.

Bangkok's Lumpini Park is an oasis in the middle of this busy city. During the winter it is a special place for classical music lovers, as the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation offers free concerts. You will feel like you are in a fairy tale listening to melodies in the middle of a green paradise!

Located in the heart of Bangkok, Lumpini Park is easily accessible so you can get there quickly by public transportation. You can even take a bike tour of Bangkok and stroll through the park before sitting down to enjoy the concert.

You can listen to classical, jazz and traditional Thai music. The tranquil atmosphere of the park makes it the most ideal place to relax and enjoy. You can also complement your day with boat rides on the park's lakes, hiking trails, yoga or tai chi classes and much more.

You can even take advantage of the occasion and the coolness of the season to enjoy a picnic in the park. If you're traveling with your family and kids, this is a winter plan that's sure to please everyone, and it's free!

Interesting details

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: during winter.
• Location: 192 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.

Traveler Tip
When visiting the park be sure to wear sunscreen and bring food for your picnic. This way you will be protected from the sun and can sit quietly and eat.

Winter is the ideal season to take a tour to Bangkok's floating markets. These sites are an iconic element of Thai culture and well worth a visit. During the cooler, drier months you won't have to worry about the heat or the annoying rains that churn up the rivers.

The most popular are the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Amphawa Floating Market. In both you will find a wide variety of fresh produce and food, buy as much as you can and take back a nice souvenir! Please note that it is a two to three hour road trip to reach them.

In these markets you can relax and get away from the noisy city for a few hours. You can also taste typical Thai dishes that are only sold in these markets. If you go in December, you can admire the Christmas lights and other decorations that often decorate some of the stalls.

The capital of Thailand is famous for its impressive skyscrapers that allow locals and tourists to enjoy incredible panoramic views. During the winter it is ideal to visit the best skyscrapers in Bangkok thanks to the cool and dry weather during those months.

Rains are less frequent during this time, so you will be able to observe a clear city. There is nothing worse than going up a skyscraper and not enjoying the view because everything is cloudy. The best way to avoid this is to visit Bangkok between December and February. You will be able to enjoy the view and take the best pictures of your whole vacation.

On the other hand, these buildings are often decorated during the Christmas season. You can also enjoy temporary promotions thanks to the large number of tourists traveling to the city. All the skyscrapers compete, so you will have many options to decide.

In the skyscrapers you will not only be able to enjoy the viewpoints. Some of them have luxury restaurants, bars and karaokes. No doubt they are ideal plans for a night out in Bangkok. Some of them are the Baiyoke Sky Tower, the King Power Mahanakhon and the Sky Bar at the Lebua Hotel.

If you are interested in hiking from Bangkok, you should know that winter is the ideal season to do so. My recommendation is to travel to Lopburi province, where you will find beautiful sunflower fields blooming at this beautiful time of the year.

Sunflowers are fascinating flowers that form a beautiful spectacle in the fields. To see them, you can visit a field in the Phatthana Nikhom district of Lopburi. During this experience your guide will tell you all about these fields and you will learn about the life cycle of these plants.

I recommend you to bring your best camera and an outfit that matches the beautiful sunflowers. You will be able to take beautiful pictures in these fields just outside Bangkok.

Being a tropical country, the Thai winter is not the same as in other countries. From the end of November until February, the country's typical high temperatures only drop a little, making the weather cooler. You can experience between 20 °C and 35 °C during these months, plus rainfall is infrequent, making it ideal for strolling the streets.

Some consider this to be the best time of the year to visit Bangkok, as it is not too cold and not too hot either. If you want to spend a warm winter, this is the ideal place for you. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and a light sweater for the evenings when it is colder than usual.

Bangkok has beautiful scenery and must-see destinations for every tourist. However, during the winter these sites may attract many more tourists, so be prepared to face crowded places.

Due to the cool and dry weather of the season, many choose to travel between December and February to this city. For this reason, hotels and resorts tend to fill up quickly. I recommend that you book as many activities as you can in advance. This will not only help you plan your vacation better, but also help you take advantage of the prices while they are low.