December 2024 in Thailand: Unmissable festivals and events
Explore the captivating festivals and unforgettable moments that will brighten up Thailand this December 2024. From ‘Night at the Museum’ to the Chao Phraya illuminations, discover all the events happening in every region of Thailand.
National events and public holidays in December
December is marked by two national holidays in addition to the New Year:
- Rama IX’s birthday and Father’s Day: 5 December
- Constitution Day: 10 December
Festivals in December in Thailand
A number of major events take place throughout Thailand, all of which can be found in the vast majority of cities, with varying degrees of importance:
Night at the Museum Festival 2024
o Date: 1-31 December 2024
o Location: 52 museums and learning centres across Thailand
o Facebook : Museum Thailand
Christmas in Thailand
- Attend a Christmas mass
In Bangkok, despite Thailand’s predominantly Buddhist faith, there is a unique way to celebrate Christmas by attending a Christmas mass. The country demonstrates great religious tolerance. To enjoy a mass, you can visit Bangkok’s Assumption Cathedral. Another option is St Joseph’s Church in the Portuguese colony of Ayutthaya, just a few hours from Bangkok. These churches, among others, organize Christmas concerts, particularly in the weeks before Christmas Eve.
Unfortunately, there is no concert calendar available, so it is advisable to go to one of these churches early to find out about concert dates and times.
- Christmas in Thailand
Thailand New Year’s Eve
Like every year, large-scale fireworks displays are organised in several Thai cities to welcome in the New Year. The biggest of them all takes place in Bangkok. To find out all about New Year’s Eve in Thailand, see below:
December in Bangkok
Vijit Chao Phraya 2024
o Date: 16 November to 15 December 2024
o Location: Pont Rama VIII, Wat Arun, Fort Wichai Prasit, Memorial Bridge et River City Bangkok
o Facebook: Vijit Chao Phraya 2024
Amazing Thailand Marathon, Bangkok
Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok, a 10km race with no fewer than 35,000 runners taking part.
o Date: 1 December 2024
o Location: Pont Rama VIII, Wat Arun, Fort Wichai Prasit, Memorial Bridge et River City Bangkok
o Facebook: Amazing Thailand Marathon
Phanmai Ngam Aram Suan Luang Ror Kao or Bangkok’s Biggest Floral Fair
Bangkok’s biggest flower festival kicks off on 1 December in Suan Luang Rama IX Park. Over 600,000 flowers and plants will be on display, along with a host of activities.
The ‘Phanmai Ngam Aram Suan Luang Ror Kao’, or Suan Luang Rama IX Park Flower Festival, has been held every year since the park opened in 1987.
o Date: December 1-10, 2024
o Location: Suan Luang Rama IX Park
Red Cross Festival 2024
A very popular festival in Bangkok, dedicated to the Red Cross, but with many stalls ranging from food to handicrafts. A fun festival.
o Date: December 11 and 12, 2024 from 11am to 10pm
o Location: Lumphini Park, Bangkok
Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra: Sound of the Seasons
o Date: Saturday 21st of December 2024 at 7:30 pm
o Location: Thailand Cultural Centre Main Hall
o Facebook: Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra
Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2024
o Date: 21/22 December 2024 - 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
o Location: Lan Klon Meaung, Bangkok
o Website: Thai Run
Pattaya and Chonburi Festival and Event 2024
Concert in the Park at Thai Polo Pattaya
Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra presents Concert in the Park at Thai Polo Pattaya.
o Date: December 07, 2024
o Location: Thai Polo Equestrian Club
Wonderfruit Festival
o Date: December 12-16, 2024
o Location: The Fields at Siam Country Club : The Fields at Siam Country Club, 50 Moo 9, Pong, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150, Thaïlande.
o Website: Wonderfruit Festival
o Price: Several options are available on the website
For more information on the festival, see this article:
Pattaya Jazz Festival 2024
The Pattaya International Jazz Festival 2024, under the theme The Harmonic Jazz & Beach, will be held on 6 and 7 December 2024 on Pattaya Beach in Chonburi. This free event will feature renowned Irish singer Ronan Keating alongside a host of international and Thai artists, including Tabitha King, Koh Mr. Saxman, and Rasmee Isan Soul.
o Date: December 06-07, 2024
o Location: Pattaya Beach
WGP#1 Waterjet World Cup
o Date: December 11-15, 2024
o Location: Jomtien Beach, Pattaya
December 2024 festivals in Chiang Mai
Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2024
o Date: November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
o Location: 82nd Anniversary Chaloem Phrakiat Park, Chiang Mai
o Facebook: Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival
HOKA Chiang Mai (by UTMB)
The event includes five races:
- TRANS-INT 160 (175 km): From Doi Inthanon to Chiang Mai PAO Park.
- ELEPHANT 100 (93 km): Loop through Doi Suthep, Doi Pui, and Mae Sa Elephant Camp.
- HMONG 50: Loop in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.
- SUTHEP 20 (24 km): Loop featuring Khun Chang Khian Hmong Village.
- CHEDI 10 (12 km): Loop around Doi Suthep.
o Date: 5-8 December 2024
o Location: Chiang Mai PAO Park or Chiang Mai Chaloem Phrakiat Park
o Facebook: HOKA Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Marathon 2024
o Date: 22 December 2024
o Location: Start at Tha Phae Gate
o Official web site: Chiang Mai Marathon 2024
December festivals in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Flower and Art Festival 2024
o Date: 16 December to 5 January
o Location: Chiang Rai Asean Flower Festival
o Facebook : TAT Chiang Rai
Kanchanaburi Festival 2024
River Kwai Bridge Week and Red Cross Fair 2024
o Date: November 28 - 08 December 2024
o Location: River Kwai Bridge, Kanchanaburi
Ayutthaya Festival
Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair 2024
o Date: 13-22 December 2024
o Location: Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya
o Facebook: Ayutthaya World Heritage
Sakon Nakhon Festival
Sakon Nakhon Christmas Parade 2024
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 21 December | Enjoy the colorful Tha Rae Lander Night Color Run starting at 5:30 PM. | Tha Rae |
| 22 December | Festivities continue at Don Koen Park. | Tha Rae Subdistrict, Mueang Sakon Nakhon |
| 23 December | Marvel at the Land Star Procession —a parade of star-decorated vehicles. | Saint Michael’s Cathedral, Tha Rae |
| 24 December | Witness the traditional Handheld Star Procession, a cherished Christmas custom. | Tha Rae |
| 25 December | Celebrate Christmas Day with the Land Star Parade, starting at King Rama V Park and ending at St. Joseph School. | Sakon Nakhon |
December festival in Ratchaburi
Nasatta Light Winter Illumination 2025
o Date 21 November 2024 – 27 April 2025. (Tuesday to Sunday, 6pm to 10pm)
o Location: NaSatta Park, Ratchaburi
o Website: Nasatta Light Festival
December in Phuket
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2024
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2024
o Dates : From 30 November to 6 December 2024 from 10h00 to 22h00
o Location : Kata Beach
o Website: Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2024
Uthaithani 2024
Balloon Festival Uthaithani 2024
Balloon Festival Uthaithani 2024](/images/2024/12/balloon-festival-uthaithani-2024.jpg)
o Dates : From 20 to 22 December 2024 from 16h00 to 22h00
o Location : Rai Rim Khao, Lan Sak District, Uthai Thani
December 2024 Events Calendar: Highlights Across Thailand
| City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand-wide | December 1–31, 2024 | Night at the Museum Festival: 52 museums and learning centers across Thailand |
| Thailand-wide | December 5, 2024 | King Rama IX’s Birthday and Father’s Day (Public Holiday) |
| Thailand-wide | December 10, 2024 | Constitution Day (Public Holiday) |
| Bangkok | November 16 – December 15, 2024 | Vijit Chao Phraya: Light installations at Rama VIII Bridge, Wat Arun, and River City |
| Bangkok | December 1, 2024 | Amazing Thailand Marathon: 10 km race with 35,000 participants |
| Bangkok | December 1–10, 2024 | Phanmai Ngam Festival: Bangkok’s largest flower show at Suan Luang Rama IX Park |
| Bangkok | December 11–12, 2024 | Red Cross Fair: Food and craft stalls at Lumphini Park |
| Bangkok | December 21, 2024 | Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra: Sound of the Seasons at Thailand Cultural Centre |
| Bangkok | December 21–22, 2024 | Bangkok Midnight Marathon at Lan Klon Meaung |
| Pattaya/Chonburi | December 6–7, 2024 | Pattaya Jazz Festival: Free concerts featuring Ronan Keating on Pattaya Beach |
| Pattaya/Chonburi | December 12–16, 2024 | Wonderfruit Festival: Music, arts, and sustainability at Siam Country Club |
| Pattaya/Chonburi | December 11–15, 2024 | WGP#1 Waterjet World Cup: Water sports at Jomtien Beach |
| Chiang Mai | November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025 | Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival at 82nd Anniversary Chaloem Phrakiat Park |
| Chiang Mai | December 5–8, 2024 | HOKA Chiang Mai (by UTMB): Five trail races through mountains and parks |
| Chiang Mai | December 22, 2024 | Chiang Mai Marathon: Starting at Tha Phae Gate |
| Chiang Rai | December 16, 2024 – January 5, 2025 | Chiang Rai Flower and Art Festival at ASEAN Flower Festival site |
| Kanchanaburi | November 28 – December 8, 2024 | River Kwai Bridge Week and Red Cross Fair |
| Ayutthaya | December 13–22, 2024 | Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair at Ayutthaya Historical Park |
| Khon Kaen | Until December 10, 2024 | International Silk Festival at Khon Kaen City Hall |
| Sakon Nakhon | December 25, 2024 | Sakon Nakhon Christmas Parade |
