The best things to do in Bangkok in December make the most of the cool season: temple mornings in the Old City, the Bangkok Art Biennale 2026, which runs from October 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027, evenings on the Chao Phraya, and the New Year countdown at the end of the month. December falls inside what the Thai Meteorological Department calls the winter or northeast monsoon season, the mildest period of the year, so it is one of the easiest months for walking the city.
This guide covers the weather, the dated events worth planning around, and what is open over the national holidays, with links to the places that suit a December visit.
Bangkok weather in December
The Thai Meteorological Department divides the year into three seasons. The rainy southwest monsoon runs from mid-May to mid-October, the winter or northeast monsoon from mid-October to mid-February, and the hot pre-monsoon summer from mid-February to mid-May. December sits in the middle of the cool season, which the department describes as the mild period of the year, and cloud cover is normally lowest from November to March.
"Cool" is relative. For Central Thailand, the region that includes Bangkok, the department's 1981 to 2010 averages for the winter season are a mean maximum of 32.3°C, a mean minimum of 21.2°C and a mean temperature of 26.2°C. These are regional seasonal averages rather than a Bangkok forecast, but they give the shape of a December day: warm to hot in the afternoon, noticeably more comfortable in the early morning and evening.
Plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning, save museums and malls for the middle of the day, and head to the river or a rooftop in the evening. Pack light clothing plus something that covers shoulders and knees for temples.
Events in December 2026
Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 (October 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027)
The fifth Bangkok Art Biennale runs through the whole of December under the theme Angels and Mara. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists its venues as temples, museums and public spaces across the city, including Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Prayoon, Museum Siam, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, One Bangkok, centralwOrld, Siam Paragon, the National Museum Bangkok and the Art Centre at Silpakorn University. Because several venues are also major sights, the biennale fits easily into a normal sightseeing day. Check the official Bangkok Art Biennale channels for the artists and venue hours.
December 5 and December 10: national holidays
December 5, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is observed as National Day and Father's Day, and December 10 is Constitution Day. Both are public holidays, so banks and government offices close, and some museums change their hours; check any attraction you plan to visit that week. Royal ceremonies can also close parts of the Grand Palace on short notice, so look at the palace's daily schedule before you go.
The Red Cross Fair at Lumphini Park
The Thai Red Cross Society's annual fair is held in Lumphini Park. In 2025 the Tourism Authority of Thailand listed it for December 11 to 21, open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with charity booths, food stalls, shopping and cultural performances. The 2026 dates had not been announced when this guide was checked, so confirm them before planning around it.
New Year's Eve countdowns
For the 2026 countdown, the Tourism Authority of Thailand listed Bangkok celebrations at ICONSIAM (Amazing Thailand Countdown, December 27 to 31), centralwOrld, One Bangkok, along Sukhumvit Road at Asok, Phrom Phong, Benchasiri Park and Thong Lo, at ChangChui Creative Park and at Rajamangala National Stadium. The 2027 program is usually announced late in the year; expect the main sites to be similar, and expect heavy crowds and road closures around them. December 31 is also a public holiday.
Things to do in Bangkok in December
Temple mornings in the Old City
The cooler mornings are the time for the Grand Palace, which opens daily at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho next door and a ferry across the river to Wat Arun. The Golden Mount at Wat Saket, a climb of 320 steps, is also far more pleasant in December than in April.
Parks and green space
December is the month to use Bangkok's parks. Lumphini Park is at its busiest in the early morning, and an elevated walkway links it to Benjakitti Park, with walking and cycling routes and a skywalk.
Markets
Chatuchak Weekend Market trades on Saturdays and Sundays; arrive early before the midday heat. For a different view of the city's commerce, Chinatown's Yaowarat Road is at its liveliest in the evening, starting from Wat Traimit and its Golden Buddha.
Evenings on the river and above the city
With clearer evenings, December is a good month for a sunset or dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya from ICONSIAM, or for the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, whose glass floor is 310 meters up and open until midnight. For dinner with a view, Sirocco sets its tables outdoors on the 64th floor of State Tower.
Museums for the middle of the day
When the afternoon heat builds, move indoors. The Jim Thompson House Museum is open every day, and the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, opposite BTS National Stadium, has free exhibitions. Families can add SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World under Siam Paragon.
What's open over the December holidays
- Grand Palace: open daily from 8:30 a.m., but royal ceremonies can close parts of it; check the palace website.
- Wat Pho: open daily.
- Jim Thompson House Museum: open every day, and it warns visitors not to believe strangers who say it is closed for a holiday.
- National Museum Bangkok: open Wednesday to Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, with special holiday openings announced on its monthly calendar.
- Museum Siam: open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays.
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre: closed Mondays and over the New Year holiday.
Booking ahead
December is high season, and the end of the month is the busiest time of all. Book hotels early, especially for Christmas and New Year, and reserve popular restaurants and cruises in advance. Browse our Bangkok hotels, Bangkok restaurants and Bangkok attractions pages to plan the rest of the trip.
Sources: Thai Meteorological Department, climate of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Art Biennale 2026, Tourism Authority of Thailand, December 2025 festivals and events, Tourism Authority of Thailand, countdown 2026 events calendar, The Grand Palace, practical information, Wat Pho, Jim Thompson House, National Museum Bangkok, Museum Siam, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Checked September 26, 2026.
Yes, for weather. December falls in the Thai Meteorological Department's winter or northeast monsoon season (mid-October to mid-February), the mildest period of the year, with less cloud than the rainy months. It is also high season, so book early.
The Thai Meteorological Department's 1981 to 2010 winter-season averages for Central Thailand, which includes Bangkok, are a mean maximum of 32.3°C, a mean minimum of 21.2°C and a mean of 26.2°C.
December is outside the rainy southwest monsoon season, which runs from mid-May to mid-October, and cloud cover is normally lowest from November to March.
From October 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, at venues including Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Museum Siam, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and the National Museum Bangkok.
December 5 (National Day and Father's Day, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol), December 10 (Constitution Day) and December 31 (New Year's Eve).
For the 2026 countdown, the Tourism Authority of Thailand listed ICONSIAM, centralwOrld, One Bangkok, the Sukhumvit area, ChangChui and Rajamangala National Stadium. Check the 2027 program when it is announced.
It is held at Lumphini Park. The 2025 fair ran from December 11 to 21, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the 2026 dates had not been announced as of September 26, 2026.
It opens daily at 8:30 a.m., with tickets sold until 3:30 p.m. Foreign visitors pay 500 baht. Royal ceremonies can close parts of the compound, so check the palace's schedule before visiting, particularly around December 5.
