Bangkok Events for Families and Kids: Weekends and Festivals

Looking for Bangkok events for families and kids? The cool season, from November to February, is the best time of year to get children out of the house. It is drier, evenings are pleasant, and the calendar fills with school fairs, kids' races, river festivals, Christmas shows and National Children's Day in January. This guide picks out the family-friendly events we could confirm for the coming months, plus parks and easy weekend ideas for when nothing is on.

Dates come from organisers and listings at the time of writing. Plans change, so check the event page before you set off. For everything happening soon, see events this weekend or browse the family and kids category.

Last checked: October 2026.

Family events in Bangkok this season

Thailand Baby & Kids Best Buy (5 to 8 November)

If you have a baby or toddler, this big consumer fair at IMPACT Challenger in Muang Thong Thani is the place for prams, car seats, toys and baby gear at show prices. Entry is free. It is a shopping event rather than a day out, but it is air-conditioned and has plenty of space for pushchairs. Details: Thailand Baby & Kids Best Buy (November 2026).

Ploenchit Fair (Saturday 21 November)

One of the longest-running charity fairs in Bangkok, now held at Bangkok Patana School in Bang Na. Expect food stalls from around the world, rides, games, performances and a market, with money raised for Thai charities. Early-bird tickets are listed at THB 200 for adults and THB 100 for children. It gets busy by late morning, so arrive early if you have small children. See Ploenchit Fair 2026.

OCSC International Education Expo (14 and 15 November)

More useful for families with teenagers. This free fair at Siam Paragon brings together universities and schools from many countries, with talks on studying abroad. See OCSC International Education Expo 2026.

The Nutcracker at Siam Pic Hall (24 and 25 December)

A classic Christmas outing. The Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre is listed to perform The Nutcracker at Siam Pic Hall, Siam Square One, over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with tickets from around THB 980. Ballet with young children is easier at a matinee if one is offered, so check the session times. Details: The Nutcracker: Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre.

Legally Blonde the Musical (20 to 22 November)

Bangkok Community Theatre's English-language musical at the Bangkok Prep auditorium is a good pick for older children and teens who like theatre. Adult tickets are listed at THB 1,300. See Legally Blonde the Musical.

National Children's Day 2027 (Saturday 9 January)

National Children's Day, or Wan Dek, is held on the second Saturday of January, which makes it Saturday 9 January 2027. It is not a public holiday, but it is the biggest day of the year for kids' events in Bangkok, and most of them are free.

In recent years the main attractions have included:

• Government House opens its grounds to families, with activities, stalls and the chance to see inside. In 2026 it ran from 8 AM to 3 PM.
• The Royal Thai Air Force at Don Mueang has held an open day and air show, with aircraft on display and flypasts. It draws huge crowds, so arrive early and expect traffic.
• Government ministries, the army and police open their sites with games, displays and gifts.
• Malls and new developments run their own programmes, from LEGO sessions to kids' shows. In 2026, One Bangkok held a two-day Children's Day event.

The 2027 line-up had not been announced when we checked. Programmes are usually published in the first week of January, and we will add events as they are confirmed. Our National Children's Day 2027 listing will carry the details, and the January 2027 calendar will show the individual events.

Tips for the day: go early, bring water and hats (most events are outdoors), and take the BTS or MRT where you can. Many venues hand out sweets and small gifts, and queues for the popular ones form fast.

Festivals the whole family can enjoy

Vijit Chao Phraya (13 November to 13 December)

The river light festival returns with light installations and evening shows along both banks of the Chao Phraya. It is free and runs in the evening, which suits children who can stay up a little later. The riverside piers and malls make a good base for food and toilets. See Vijit Chao Phraya 2026.

Loy Krathong (Tuesday 24 November)

Floating a krathong is one of the best experiences you can share with children in Thailand. For families, the big parks are usually calmer than the riverside: Lumpini, Benjakitti and other city parks with lakes. Keep a close eye on small children near the water, and choose a bread or banana-leaf krathong rather than foam. Our Loy Krathong 2026 Bangkok guide covers where to go, and the Loy Krathong 2026 event page has the practical details.

Bangkok Theatre Festival (14 to 29 November)

Centred on the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), the festival mixes paid and free performances, some of them outdoors and suitable for children. Check each show's age guidance. See Bangkok Theatre Festival 2026.

Open-air film night at Chulalongkorn Centenary Park (6 November)

A free outdoor screening in one of the city's newest parks. Bring a mat and snacks. See Open-Air Film Night at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park.

For the bigger picture of what is on each month, see things to do in Bangkok in November 2026, things to do in Bangkok in December 2026, our Christmas in Bangkok guide and the December 2026 calendar.

Kids' runs, triathlons and sport

Bangkok has a busy calendar of races with children's categories, and a few that are just for kids. Upcoming ones in our listings include:

• Ronald McDonald House Mini Marathon Run For Kids, Sunday 8 November, starting at Chulalongkorn University. A charity run with a very early start.
• AmazingKids Triathlon Series #3 and AmazingKids Duathlon Series #3, Sunday 15 November at Wellington College International School Bangkok. Swim, bike and run races by age group for young athletes.
• Feel Fun Run Meet 2027, Saturday 13 February in Rot Fai Park (Wachirabenchathat Park), Chatuchak.
• Saeng Sawang Run for Special Kids 2027, Sunday 7 March in Suan Luang Rama IX Park.

Most fun runs start between 5 and 6 AM to avoid the heat, so plan an early night. Our Bangkok running races calendar lists the rest of the season, and running events has the live list.

Padel is also catching on with families. Several clubs run junior sessions and family hours; our padel in Bangkok guide explains how to book a court, and padel events lists upcoming social sessions.

Parks and weekend days out

When there is no event on, Bangkok's parks are the easiest family day out. They are free, mostly shaded, and busiest in the early morning and from about 4 PM, when it cools down.

Lumpini Park

Bangkok's best-known park, between Silom and Sathorn, has a large lake with pedal boats, playgrounds, open lawns and resident monitor lizards, which most children love from a safe distance. It is right next to MRT Lumphini and Silom stations. See Lumphini Park and the Silom and Sathorn area guide.

Benjakitti Park

Next to Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Benjakitti's forest section has raised wooden walkways over wetlands, which are great for small legs and pushchairs. The lakeside part has a long cycling and running loop. It is a short walk from MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. See Benjakitti Park.

Chatuchak's parks

The three linked parks next to Chatuchak Weekend Market (Chatuchak Park, Queen Sirikit Park and Rot Fai Park) are good for bike hire, picnics and playgrounds. Combine a morning at the park with a short, early visit to the market before the crowds. See Rot Fai Park and our weekend markets guide.

Suan Luang Rama IX

The city's largest public park, out east in Prawet, has gardens, lakes and plenty of space to run around. It is a longer trip, so it suits a full morning. See Suan Luang Rama IX Park.

A note on the Children's Discovery Museums

The two city-run Children's Discovery Museums, at Chatuchak and Thung Khru, were reported to have closed temporarily from 1 October 2026 while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration finds new management. No reopening date had been announced when we checked, so call ahead before planning a visit.

Free and low-cost family ideas

• Parks: all the parks above are free. Many have outdoor gyms and playgrounds.
• Mall events: big malls such as Siam Paragon, CentralWorld and ICONSIAM run free weekend shows and holiday displays, especially around Christmas and Children's Day.
• River ferries: a Chao Phraya Express Boat ride is cheap and fun for kids, and it links the old town with the riverside malls.
• Art spaces: many Bangkok Art Biennale venues are free and run until February 2027. See Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 and our art galleries guide.

Our free things to do in Bangkok guide has more.

Practical tips for families

• Go early or late. Midday heat is strong even in the cool season. Plan outdoor events for before 11 AM or after 4 PM.
• Use the BTS and MRT. Stations have lifts, though not always at every exit, and trains beat weekend traffic.
• Pack for sun and mosquitoes: hats, sunscreen, repellent and water, especially in parks at dusk.
• Book popular shows early. Christmas ballet and holiday shows sell out in December.
• Check age guidance for theatre and concerts, and ear protection for big shows and air displays.
• Carry small notes for fair stalls and park snacks.

FAQ

When is Children's Day 2027 in Thailand?

National Children's Day falls on the second Saturday of January, which is Saturday 9 January 2027. It is not a public holiday, but many government sites, the air force at Don Mueang and malls hold free events for children.

What are the best family events in Bangkok in November 2026?

The Ploenchit Fair on 21 November, Vijit Chao Phraya along the river from 13 November, Loy Krathong on 24 November, the Bangkok Theatre Festival and several kids' runs and triathlons. See the family events listing for the latest.

Is the Children's Discovery Museum in Bangkok open?

Both city-run Children's Discovery Museums were reported closed temporarily from 1 October 2026, with no reopening date announced at the time of writing. Check with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration before you go.

Are there free things to do with kids in Bangkok?

Yes. Parks such as Lumpini, Benjakitti and the Chatuchak parks are free, as are most Children's Day events, Vijit Chao Phraya and floating a krathong in a public park.

Where can I find kids' events in Bangkok this weekend?

Check our events this weekend page and filter by the family category, or browse events this week.