10 Things to Do in Bangkok in Winter

In Bangkok, it doesn't get very cold in the winter months, so if this appeals to you, visit Bangkok during the winter and have a multicultural experience.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

10 Things to Do in Bangkok in Winter

Vista del tráfico nocturno|©Gunther Dihlmann

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 colour and celebrations.

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

1. Take a gastronomic tour of winter food in Bangkok

Khao soi|©T.Tseng
Khao soi|©T.Tseng

Exploring a country's cuisine 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 sample some of the country's best hot food, so make the most of the cooler time of the year to sample these delicacies!

There are several options to experience winter food while touring the city. One of the favourites are the food tours. An experienced guide will take you to the best restaurants and food stalls in Bangkok. They 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 curry noodles 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 onion 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 your holiday. Your guide and chef will help you choose the best ingredients and explain all the secrets to creating delicious dishes.

Book a food tour in Bangkok

2. Attend the Wonderfruit Festival

Wonderfruit Festival , Thailand|©Chuutsana Samansap
Wonderfruit Festival , Thailand|©Chuutsana Samansap

The Wonderfruit Festival is an annual celebration held in December when winter begins in Bangkok. Note that you have to travel at least two hours to get to Chon Buri province to go. Therefore, this can count as an excursion from Bangkok.

The festival usually takes place in mid-December over a weekend. There you will find concerts, art exhibitions and workshops on ecology and sustainability. Food is another major attraction at 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. This is in addition to your stay in the province, which is more convenient than having to travel to Bangkok at the end of each day of the festival. No doubt you'll love celebrating art and nature with thousands of Thais.

Interesting details

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

3. The Water Lantern Festival

Loy Krathong festival Bangkok|©ladydi12
Loy Krathong festival Bangkok|©ladydi12

The Festival of Light or Loy Krathong is celebrated during the winter and, as it is subject to the lunar calendar, some years it may be held 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 the making of floating offerings to bring good luck for the coming year.

This is 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. They are decorated with a candle, banana leaves and incense. If you want to make one, follow the instructions so you don't get burnt and your offering doesn't sink.

You can also see cultural performances such as concerts and traditional dances. Another way to celebrate this special day is to visit Bangkok's best temples. Wat Pho and Wat Arun stand out from the rest for having special celebrations during this time of year.

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 is especially true when visiting Bangkok's temples.

4. Take a cruise to celebrate Valentine's Day

Dinner Cruise|©koen Roeyers
Dinner Cruise|©koen Roeyers

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 shower will ruin your cruise. This also gives you the opportunity to see the clear sky and the city more clearly.

Also, the decorations on the cruise are usually beautiful. You will have the opportunity to see beautiful flower arrangements and pose with them for some lovely 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.

Book a dinner cruise in Bangkok

5. Celebrate Chinese New Year in Bangkok

hanging red balloons|©Dubaniowska
hanging red balloons|©Dubaniowska

Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations in the lunar calendar and is celebrated by thousands of people 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 varies, but it is always in the cooler 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 Bangkok's Chinatown. There you will see that all the streets are decorated with red and gold lanterns and all the shops and restaurants offer traditional 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. Various dance teams take part in the parade and parade through the streets dressed in stunning costumes as they perform amazing choreographies to the beat of the drums and cymbals.

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

6. Visit Bangkok's Great Gatsby Christmas Market

Christmas decorations|©จิระภัทร พวงมาลา
Christmas decorations|©จิระภัทร พวงมาลา

If the winter month in which you visit 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 organised in honour of the holiday season. There you will find beautiful Christmas lights and typical Christmas food.

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 all over the city. You won't have time to miss Christmas at home, as you 'll find the same Christmas magic here.

If you 're travelling with children to Bangkok during this time of year, you'll definitely have to take them to this market. They will be able to eat delicious international and traditional Thai Christmas desserts. You will also be able to do some shopping for gifts on Christmas Eve.

Interesting details

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

7. Enjoy concerts in Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park, Bangkok|©David Xu
Lumpini Park, Bangkok|©David Xu

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 fairytale 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 transport. You can even take a bike tour of Bangkok and stroll around 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 travelling with your family and children, this is a winter plan that's sure to please everyone - and it's free!

Interesting details

  • Price: free admission.
  • Opening 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'll be protected from the sun and can sit quietly and eat.

8. Visit Bangkok's floating markets

Floating Market|©Derek Law
Floating Market|©Derek Law

Winter is the ideal time to take a tour of 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. Both offer a wide variety of fresh produce and food, so buy as much as you can and take home a nice souvenir! Please note that it's a two to three hour drive to get there.

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

Book a tour of Bangkok's markets

9. Visit Bangkok's skyscrapers and enjoy the beautiful view

Banyan Tree|©Anthony Shane
Banyan Tree|©Anthony Shane

Thailand's capital is famous for its impressive skyscrapers that allow locals and tourists alike to enjoy incredible panoramic views. During the winter it is ideal to visit Bangkok's best skyscrapers thanks to the cool, dry weather during these months.

Rainfall is less frequent at this time of year, so you will be able to see a clear city. There is nothing worse than going up a skyscraper and not enjoying the view because everything is overcast. The best way to avoid this is to visit Bangkok between December and February. You'll be able to enjoy the view and take the best pictures of your holiday.

Also, these buildings are often decorated during the Christmas season. You can also enjoy temporary promotions thanks to the large number of tourists travelling to the city. All skyscrapers are in competition, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from.

Skyscrapers are not just for viewing platforms. Some have fancy restaurants, bars and karaoke bars. These are ideal 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.

10. Visiting a sunflower field in Lopburi

Sunflowers of Lopburi|©Thai Jasmine (Smile..smile...Smile..)
Sunflowers of Lopburi|©Thai Jasmine (Smile..smile...Smile..)

If you're interested in doing some sightseeing from Bangkok, winter is the ideal time to do it. My recommendation is to travel to the province of Lopburi, 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. This way you will be able to take beautiful pictures in these fields just outside Bangkok.

What is the winter weather like in Bangkok?

View of the traffic in Bangkok|©Nigeta Yuya
View of the traffic in Bangkok|©Nigeta Yuya

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, and 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 's not too cold and not too hot either. If you're looking for a warm winter, this is the place for you. Remember to bring comfortable clothes and a light jumper for evenings when it gets colder than usual.

What are the tourist numbers and prices like during the winter in Bangkok?

Tourists in Bangkok|©Tautvaldas Tumenas
Tourists in Bangkok|©Tautvaldas Tumenas

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 the crowds.

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

Book a guided tour of Bangkok