The lights
CentralWorld and Siam
The CentralWorld forecourt, at the Ratchaprasong intersection, hosts a giant tree and light shows repeated in the evening each year, from mid-November to early January depending on the year. The other centres in the district, including Siam Paragon and Siam Center, are decorated too: see our guide to the Siam shopping centres. Everything can be covered on foot between BTS Chit Lom and Siam stations.
ICONSIAM, on the river
ICONSIAM turns its halls and riverbank into a big Christmas show, and its fountain show, at 7, 8 and 9 pm, adds light. The free shuttle boat from the Sathorn pier is the most pleasant way to get there.
Terminal 21 and Asiatique
Terminal 21, at Asok, plays on the theme of its city-themed floors, and Asiatique The Riverfront decorates its quay and big wheel; Asiatique is open daily until midnight.
Masses and celebrations
The Assumption Cathedral, in Bang Rak, is the main Catholic church in Bangkok. It holds a midnight mass with a choir at Christmas; the time is not published long in advance, and you should arrive a good hour early. In Thonburi, the Santa Cruz church, in the Portuguese quarter of Kudi Chin, also offers Christmas services. Exact 2026 times should be requested from the parish. Christmas masses are open to all, in modest dress.
Christmas markets and festive meals
Bangkok has few traditional Christmas markets: temporary markets set up in shopping centres and parks, with crafts, gifts and food, mostly in December. Hotels and rooftops offer fixed-price Christmas Eve dinners, to be booked early; see also Bangkok at night to choose a bar.
Practical tips
- Weather: late December is the cool, dry season; see the best time to visit Bangkok.
- Crowds and prices: this is high season. Hotels are expensive and full; book from the autumn.
- Temples: temples stay open on 25 December, since it is not a public holiday. The required dress is described in our guide to temples.
- After Christmas: New Year's Eve is covered in our guide to New Year in Bangkok.
