Christmas in Thailand? Yep, it’s a thing. Even though it’s not an official holiday here and most Thais are Buddhist, you’ll still find plenty of Christmas cheer if you know where to look. After living here for years, our expat writer Stephen has figured out how to get a festive fix in this tropical paradise. Here’s what you need to know about celebrating Christmas, Thai-style.
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95% of Thai people are Buddhists. Christmas isn’t a holiday on the Buddhist calendar, and the 25th of December is a regular working day here.
But if you are planning a trip to Thailand over the Christmas/New Year period fear not—you can still celebrate Christmas Day without feeling like you’re missing out on something.
Christmas in Thailand for Visitors
Thai businesses and the government welcome tourists with open arms and try to do as many things as possible to improve their visit. One of these is ensuring that as it’s slap-bang in the middle of the high season, as much Christmas stuff as possible is thrown at them.
Whether you want to go somewhere and listen to Christmas carols, eat turkey with all the trimmings, or attend a midnight mass, it’s all possible in Thailand.
Shopping Malls
All the shopping malls really get into the Christmas spirit. Why wouldn’t they? It’s an opportunity to cash in on the gift-giving hype. Giant Christmas trees, decorations, tinsel, and angels are everywhere in every mall, and Christmas carols permeate the air, usually from the end of November. You can’t help but get caught up in the festivities.
It’s one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, so expect huge crowds, especially at places like CentralWorld and Siam Paragon. They’re beautifully decked out, and the Instagrammers are out in full force.
As you can imagine, there aren’t too many bargains to be had during this time, so if you’re shopping for the whole family, be sure your credit card has loads of space on it.
Christmas Markets in Bangkok
If you are looking for a European Christmas experience the Goethe-Institut Thailand have hosted popular markets the last few years. Dates for this years market are not yet available but keep an eye on their website for details.
Christmas Holiday Packages in Thailand
If you’re dreaming of a tropical Christmas, Thailand’s luxury resorts and hotels pull out all the stops during the festive season. From beachside celebrations in Koh Samui to traditional feasts in the mountains of Chiang Mai, these specially curated holiday packages combine Thai hospitality with festive cheer.
Many resorts offer all-inclusive experiences featuring gala dinners, special activities for children, spa treatments, and unique cultural touches that blend Western holiday traditions with Thai elements.
While these packages tend to be premium-priced, they offer a hassle-free way to enjoy a memorable Christmas in paradise.
Here are some standout options for the 2024 holiday season.
Feliz Festiva at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit
Celebrate the season with a Spanish twist and rooftop revelry.
This festive season, join INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit as it brings “Feliz Festiva” to Bangkok. From December 24 to January 1, enjoy Spanish-inspired set menus by Chef Juan Ignacio García Racionero at LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar on the 33rd and 34th floors, with two dinner sessions each night on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Indulge in a special buffet dinner on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve or a New Year’s Day brunch at The Kites Eatery, featuring an array of seasonal treats, including a seafood station, BBQ meats, and desserts.
Ring in 2025 at the Giant Swing Bar’s rooftop New Year’s Eve party, complete with DJ music, views of Bangkok, and a Sparkle and Glitter dress code. Entry is THB 1,500, which includes a glass of sparkling wine.
Where: INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, On Nut – 1472 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok Find out more here.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Celebrate the festive season at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui with a variety of Christmas-themed activities and spectacular dining events.
Highlights include:
- Fisherman’s Christmas Eve Party and Beach BBQ – where you can enjoy a coastal celebration in a unique, festive atmospherere.
- Under the Sea Christmas Day Children’s Party, complete with enchanting mermaids, playful dolphins, and a special visit from Santa in his aquatic sleigh.
- On Christmas Day, indulge in a lavish brunch at Koh Thai Kitchen, where you can savor a mix of authentic Thai and international dishes.
- Or a six-course set menu by Chef Luigi Frassanito at Pla Pla accompanied by live music.
Where: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – 219 Moo 5 Surat Thani Angthong. Find out more here.
Melia Koh Samui
Nestled on the peaceful Choeng Mon Beach, Meliá Koh Samui offers a perfect blend of tropical luxury and festive celebration. The resort’s Breeza Beach Restaurant & Bar provides a stunning beachfront setting for holiday festivities, with the sound of gentle waves accompanying your Christmas feast.
Highlights include:
- Tree Lighting Ceremony – 20 December will see the official tree lighting on the Koko Garden Lawn at Melia
- Christmas Eve dinner at the Breeze Bar and Restaurant will feature Christmas carols, Santa and a western buffet with all the Christmas favourites.
- Christmas Day Brunch – a live band, Dj and 4 hours of festive food will make this an unforgettable Xmas.
Where: Melia Koh Samui – 83, Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani Find out more here.
Christmas in Chiang Mai
At Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, you can indulge in the rich flavors of Northern Thai cuisine at Khao by Four Seasons, where special dining experiences await this festive season.
- Enjoy a Christmas Eve Dinner at Rim Tai Kitchen with live jazz, setting the perfect ambiance for a memorable evening.
- On Christmas Day, delight in a lavish Brunch Buffet that offers a variety of festive and local dishes.
- For a unique holiday feast, head to North by Four Seasons for a traditional fire-grilled Christmas BBQ Platter, where “big kahuna” style banquets are expertly prepared by Executive Chef Alvin Dela Cruz.
Where: 502 Moo 1, Mae Rim, Old Road, Samoeng District, Chiang Mai Find out more here.
Christmas Dining in Bangkok
Whether you’re craving a traditional turkey dinner or want to try a Thai twist on holiday classics, there are plenty of options to satisfy your festive food cravings. From swanky hotel buffets to expat bars and even Christmas-themed river cruises, here’s where to find your holiday feast in the Land of Smiles.
Restaurants with Christmas Meals
Many restaurants across Thailand, from those in 5-star hotels to local ones, also get into the spirit with Christmas menus, most often on the 24th and 25th.
Most hotels release their Christmas menus in August and are taking bookings; it’s best to get in early as they fill up. Some are offering early-bird rates if you book months in advance.
At Christmas 2023, we were living in Nonthaburi Province (adjacent to Bangkok to its west) and wanted to go out for Christmas lunch on December 25. So we just Googled ‘Christmas lunch near me’ and found this cafe about 30 minutes away that was all decked out in decorations. We had a great lunch. Unless you’re in an area purely for locals and doesn’t cater to tourists, it’s unlikely that you can’t get Christmas food on Christmas Eve or day.
For my LGBTQ+ friends, Balcony Bar in Silom Soi 4 offers a Christmas buffet every Christmas Eve. I’ve been twice, and it was delicious. I’m talking turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, and all the good stuff from Christmas back home.
Chao Phraya Christmas Cruises
For a uniquely Bangkok Christmas experience, hop aboard a festive river cruise on the Chao Phraya. Several companies offer special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day cruises, complete with holiday decorations and seasonal menus.
This White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise includes free beer.
Compulsory Christmas Eve Dinner
If you’re staying in a 5-star hotel in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, or Phuket on Christmas Eve, you may find that a ‘compulsory Christmas dinner’ has been included in your package rate. You’ve paid for it, so you may as well take advantage of it.
Trust me; the buffet goes on forever and is well worth enjoying. It’s not just for those who have booked the hotel; outsiders are welcome to pay and join in, but in-house guests get priority.
Celebrating Christmas in a Predominantly Buddhist Country
Christmas in Thailand isn’t necessarily a religious observation. Ask any Thai person what Christmas is, and they’ll probably tell you it’s a Western holiday when everybody gets presents. It makes sense; the Christian religion isn’t widely taught in Thailand—except at Catholic schools—so there’s not much reason for locals to tie it back to religion.
Christmas was always a big deal when I taught in Thailand, whether at a public school, university, or language centre. The kids really looked forward to it. One of the teachers (never me, thankfully) would dress up as Santa Claus and hand out presents.
On the Thai calendar, this is a standard working day, but as teachers, we played games and limited the ‘educational’ classes, so it’s a fun time. I can’t speak for every English teacher in Thailand, but at all the places I worked, we never discussed religion or tied it back to Christianity. It was just considered a ‘Western holiday with presents and food.’ This is probably the same feeling many secular people view it back home.
As I mentioned, 95% of Thais are Buddhist. The other 5% comprises all other religions, including Hindu, Muslim, and Christian, so you can understand why the religious connotations of Christmas aren’t at the forefront of most people’s minds here.
So please don’t be offended if this is a deeply religious time for you, as it’s cultural. The good news is that there are places where you can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas if that’s important to you.
Christmas Mass
Anyone visiting Thailand over Christmas who wants to attend an English-speaking mass can do so. Bangkok is the better place to be, as there are churches and cathedrals that guarantee the service.
The Holy Redeemer Church in the Lumpini area of Bangkok is one of the most frequented Catholic churches in Thailand. It has already posted its Christmas and New Year Mass services on its Facebook page.
Assumption Cathedral is a stunning Romanesque church near the river in the Bangrak area of Bangkok. It’s Facebook page also lists its Christmas Mass schedule.
Other Catholic churches in Thailand hold Christmas Day masses. If you’re going to be in Thailand around Christmas and aren’t staying in Bangkok, contact us via the Thailand Obsessed Facebook page, and we’ll find some services for you.
Christmas in Thailand: Come and Enjoy the Festive Season
I’ve always found it fun to celebrate Christmas abroad. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how other countries do it. I’ve had Christmas in Australia, many European countries, and, for the past eight years, here in Thailand.
If you want shopping and Christmas carols, the malls have you covered. Many restaurants across the country put on amazing Christmas spreads on December 24th and 25th, and Catholic churches provide mass for those who want to participate. I hope you have a Merry Christmas if you’re here at that time.
Find more great things to do in Thailand by joining our Facebook Group Thailand Obsessed, where you can ask questions or share your own tips and love of Thailand.