Christmas in Bangkok 2026: Lights, Markets, Brunch and Mass

Christmas in Bangkok 2026 is not a public holiday, but you would never guess it from the malls. From mid-November the city's shopping centres compete with giant trees and light shows, hotels roll out Christmas Eve dinners and Christmas Day brunches, embassies and cultural institutes host Christmas markets, and churches hold carol services and midnight mass. This guide covers where to see the lights, where to shop, where to eat and worship, and the Christmas events already in our listings.

In 2026, Christmas Eve is Thursday 24 December and Christmas Day is Friday 25 December, so the festive weekend runs straight into Boxing Day and the run-up to New Year's Eve. Offices, schools and banks stay open on the 25th, and roads are as busy as on any working Friday.

Most malls and hotels announce their 2026 Christmas programmes in November. Where 2026 details were not yet published, we describe what each place has done in recent years and say so. Check the official pages before you go.

Last checked: October 2026.

Christmas lights and mall displays

Bangkok's big malls treat Christmas as a headline event. Displays usually go up in early to mid-November and stay up until early January, so you can see them well before 25 December. Most are free to visit, and the best time is after dark, from around 6 PM.

CentralWorld (Ratchaprasong)

CentralWorld's forecourt traditionally has the city's biggest tree, along with light installations, themed photo spots and stage shows. In 2025 the display ran into January under a Disney theme. The same square hosts the free New Year's Eve countdown, so the decorations stay up through the holidays. Take the BTS to Chit Lom or Siam and walk along the skywalk.

ICONSIAM (riverside)

ICONSIAM, on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya, usually stages a large riverside illumination around a tall tree. In 2025 it ran from 19 November to 25 December. Combine it with a walk along the river promenade. Reach it via the BTS Gold Line to Charoen Nakhon, or the ferry from Sathorn Pier.

Siam Paragon, Central Embassy, Gaysorn and One Bangkok

• Siam Paragon decorates its front plaza and atrium, and often hosts Santa meet-and-greets for kids.
• Central Embassy and Gaysorn on Ploenchit go for designer trees; Gaysorn has run a "Xmas Village" in past years.
• One Bangkok, the newest big development on Rama 4, ran a Christmas market and a large tree from mid-November 2025 to early January 2026. Watch for a 2026 edition.

All of these are in or near the Siam and Pathum Wan area, so you can walk between several in one evening.

Christmas markets in Bangkok

Bangkok's Christmas markets are short, often running only a day or a weekend, and some are held in late November. Recent regulars include:

• German Christmas Market at the Goethe-Institut (Soi Goethe, Sathorn 1). An annual tradition with mulled wine, sausages, crafts and carols. The 2025 edition was held on 29 and 30 November. 2026 dates had not been announced at the time of writing. It is about five minutes' walk from MRT Lumphini (exit 2).
• Hotel Christmas markets, such as the European-style market Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit ran on three afternoons in December 2025, and the charity Christmas market in the garden of The Sukhothai Bangkok on 27 and 28 December 2025.
• Community bazaars run by expat associations and embassies, such as the Bangkok Accueil Christmas market. These are good for handmade gifts and home baking.
• Mall Christmas markets at One Bangkok, Gaysorn and others, which tend to run for longer stretches.

Since dates for these are confirmed only weeks ahead, the most reliable approach is to check our markets listings in November and December. Our weekend markets guide covers the regular markets that run all year.

Christmas events in our listings

These Christmas-themed events are already listed for December 2026:

• Santa Run Pansuk 2026, Sunday 20 December, at Suan Luang Rama IX Park (details). A fun run where many runners dress as Santa; entry was listed at THB 599.
• The Nutcracker by the Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre, 24 and 25 December, at Siam Pic Hall, Siam Square One (details), listed from THB 980. A classic Christmas outing with children.
• Jingle Bells Run 2026, Sunday 27 December, at Rot Fai Park in Chatuchak (details), entry listed at THB 550.
• Singha Life presents BOYdKO Christmas Concert at IMPACT Arena, from Thursday 10 December (details). A Thai pop Christmas concert.

More will be added as venues announce their programmes. The live list below updates automatically:

Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch

Hotel dining is the main way many Bangkok residents celebrate. Most five-star hotels run a Christmas Eve buffet or set dinner on the 24th and a long Christmas Day brunch on the 25th, typically with roast turkey, ham, seafood stations, carols and a visit from Santa. In 2025, for example, the Dusit Thani, W Bangkok, JW Marriott, Millennium Hilton and Kimpton Maa-Lai all offered Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus.

A few practical points:

• Book early. Popular brunches sell out by mid-December, especially as 25 December 2026 is a Friday.
• Check what is included. Prices are usually quoted with and without free-flow drinks, plus 10% service charge and 7% VAT on top.
• Kids' pricing. Many hotels let young children eat free or at half price, and run kids' corners.
• Riverside options. Hotels along the Chao Phraya and the dinner cruises from ICONSIAM and Asiatique often run special Christmas Eve sailings.

For bars and parties after dinner, see Bangkok nightlife.

Christmas church services in Bangkok

Thailand is mostly Buddhist, but Bangkok has a long-established Christian community and several churches hold services in English. Times change each year, so confirm with the parish before you go.

• Assumption Cathedral (Charoen Krung Soi 40, Bang Rak). Bangkok's Catholic cathedral, founded in 1821 and rebuilt in the early 20th century, with a striking red-brick facade and a richly decorated interior. Expect large crowds for Christmas Eve mass, mostly in Thai; arrive early. It is a short walk from Saphan Taksin BTS and the Oriental pier.
• Holy Redeemer Church (Soi Ruam Rudi, Ploenchit). The main English-language Catholic parish, with several English masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in past years.
• Christ Church Bangkok (Convent Road, Sathorn). The Anglican church has historically held a carol service in mid-December, a Christingle service on Christmas Eve, a late-night communion and a Christmas Day morning service. It also hosts a Nordic Christmas service in some years.

Christmas with kids in Bangkok

Families have plenty of options: Santa visits at the big malls, The Nutcracker at Siam Pic Hall, ice rinks and snow-themed play areas that some malls set up, and the Santa runs, which welcome kids and walkers. Our Bangkok events for families and kids guide lists the year-round options, and the family events page has what is on now.

Getting around at Christmas

• Use the BTS and MRT. The Ratchaprasong and Siam malls are linked by skywalks, and traffic around them is very heavy in the evenings of late December.
• Take the river. For ICONSIAM, Asiatique and the riverside hotels, the Chao Phraya Express Boat and shuttle boats beat the traffic.
• Plan for the holiday stretch. From Christmas to New Year the city fills with visitors. Book restaurants and transfers early.

Staying on for the countdown? Read our New Year's Eve Bangkok guide and see everything else in things to do in Bangkok in December 2026.

FAQ

Is Christmas a public holiday in Thailand?

No. Christmas Day is a normal working day in Thailand, so offices, banks and schools are open (international schools are usually on holiday). The next public holidays are New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

What day is Christmas 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday 24 December 2026 and Christmas Day is Friday 25 December 2026.

Where is the biggest Christmas tree in Bangkok?

In recent years the largest trees have been at CentralWorld and ICONSIAM. Displays usually go up in November and stay until early January. 2026 designs are typically announced in November.

Are there Christmas markets in Bangkok?

Yes, but they are short. The German Christmas Market at the Goethe-Institut is one of the best known, alongside hotel, embassy and mall markets. Many run for a single weekend in late November or December, so check listings close to the date.

Where can I go to Christmas mass in English in Bangkok?

Holy Redeemer Church on Soi Ruam Rudi is the main English-language Catholic parish, and Christ Church on Convent Road holds Anglican services in English. Assumption Cathedral holds large Christmas masses, mostly in Thai.

What can families do at Christmas in Bangkok?

See the mall light displays and Santa visits, watch The Nutcracker at Siam Pic Hall on 24 or 25 December, or join a Santa or Jingle Bells fun run. Browse events this weekend for the latest options.