Thursday 31 December 2026
New Year’s Eve in Bangkok with kids
Fireworks over the river, half of Bangkok in one place, and a four-year-old who was asleep by nine. Every countdown rated by crowd level, family dinners and fireworks cruises with real prices, and how to actually get home afterwards.
by BKK Families · Updated 14 October 2026
How this guide works: every listing is what ran on New Year’s Eve 2025, the countdown to 2026, with last year’s prices. Line-ups for 2026 are announced through November and December, and we swap them in as they land. Anything already confirmed for 2026 gets a green badge.
The quick version
New Year's Eve 2026 in Bangkok: the basics
A four-day weekend
Thu 31 Dec to Sun 3 Jan
31 December and 1 January are both public holidays, landing on a Thursday and Friday this year.
The great exodus
Half of Bangkok leaves
Roads out jam in the days before. The city goes quiet, except the countdown spots, which go wild.
Where to watch the fireworks
New Year's Eve countdowns in Bangkok, rated by crowd
Last year Bangkok had ten big public countdowns. Filter by area and how much crowd you can handle. The mega ones are spectacular and best with teens; the cosy ones are where small children have the best night.
Showing 10 of 10 countdowns
- Crowd level 3 of 3, Mega
Amazing Thailand Countdown
ICONSIAM, Charoen Nakhon
2025:28 to 31 Dec · fireworks at midnight
The city's headline show: a 4D sky show of eco-friendly fireworks along 1,400 m of river, drone formations and pyrotechnics, with Mark Tuan, Jeff Satur, Bodyslam and BUS on stage. Riverside areas are free but fill by late afternoon; some front zones need registration. Best with teens.
FreeDrones and fireworksLivestreamed - Crowd level 3 of 3, Mega
CentralWorld Bangkok Countdown
CentralWorld, Ratchaprasong
2025:31 Dec · concerts all evening
Bangkok's Times Square moment: concerts, giant screens and the midnight countdown on the plaza, after ten nights of the New Era Music Festival (21 to 30 Dec). Roads around it closed from 4pm. Brilliant for teens, hard with a stroller.
Free6 roads closedBTS Chit Lom or Siam - Crowd level 2 of 3, Busy
One Bangkok Countdown
One Bangkok, Wireless Road
2025:31 Dec · register in advance
Big Thai artists, surprise international acts, 360-degree fireworks and lasers. Entry was by QR code and your ID had to match the registered name, which kept the numbers manageable. A good step up for tweens.
FreeQR registration, bring IDMRT Lumphini - Crowd level 2 of 3, Busy
Wonder Countdown and Extravaganza Sukhumvit
EmQuartier, Asok, Phrom Phong, Benchasiri Park and Thong Lo
2025:31 Dec
A countdown strung along Sukhumvit with drones, lasers, searchlights and eco-friendly fireworks, and a concert at EmQuartier's Quartier Parc (J Jetrin, Three Man Down, Perses). Benchasiri Park gives kids grass to sit on instead of a road.
FreeDrones and lasersBTS Phrom Phong - Crowd level 2 of 3, Busy
Asiatique Thailand Countdown
Asiatique The Riverfront, Charoen Krung
2025:31 Dec · from 5pm
River fireworks with a relaxed, open-air feel: concerts (Bodyslam, Zeal, Paradox), a laser show and plenty of places to eat. Come early, ride the wheel, and decide at 9pm whether you're staying.
FreeFerris wheelLaser show - Crowd level 2 of 3, Busy
Samyan Mitrtown Countdown
Samyan Mitrtown, Rama 4
2025:3 days to 31 Dec
Three days of free concerts at the Samyan junction, food stalls, and a POLYCAT countdown. There's a milk-and-soft-drinks zone, so it feels more family than party. No fireworks last year.
FreeAlcohol-free drinks zoneMRT Sam Yan - Crowd level 2 of 3, Busy
Seacon Countdown
Seacon Square, Srinakarin
2025:30 and 31 Dec
A free concert on the front lawn (POLYCAT, Three Man Down and Moderndog on the 31st) and fireworks at midnight. Handy for families out east near Bangna and Srinakarin.
FreeFree concert - Crowd level 1 of 3, Cosy
ChangChui Fest: Countdown
ChangChui Creative Park, Thonburi
2025:30 and 31 Dec
Live music, food, a Christmas tree and fireworks at the quirky creative park with a whole jet airliner in the middle. Smaller and calmer than downtown.
Restaurant in a plane - Crowd level 2 of 3, Busy
Mega Bangna Countdown
Mega Bangna, Bang Na-Trat
2025:31 Dec
A countdown concert (Tilly Birds, Perses, Joey Boy and more) at the big family mall near Suvarnabhumi. Easy parking, easy exit.
Seven-act concert - Crowd level 2 of 3, Busy
Happiness Countdown
Future Park, Rangsit
2025:31 Dec
A mall concert countdown (MXFRUIT, BUS, URBOYTJ) for families living north of the city.
Near Don Mueang
The Amazing Thailand Countdown that used to light up Wat Arun moved to Phayao for the 2026 countdown. We’ll note it here if it comes back to Bangkok. Skip the ticketed EDM festivals and Khao San Road unless your kids are adults: they aren’t pretending to be family events.
Choose your New Year's Eve on purpose
The best New Year's Eve in Bangkok for every age
Toddlers
Lights out by nine
- The 8pm Sydney midnight trick at home
- An early buffet, like Savio, 6pm to 9pm
- Balcony fireworks at midnight (if anyone's awake)
Ages 4 to 9
Early fireworks fans
- Crowne Plaza's Carnival of Joy, with clowns
- Asiatique early evening and the Ferris wheel
- Benchasiri Park for the Sukhumvit drone show
Ages 10 to 12
Midnight or bust
- One Bangkok (register first)
- Seacon Square's free concert and fireworks
- Topgolf Megacity's countdown
Teens
The full countdown
- ICONSIAM by the river
- CentralWorld's street party
- The Manohra fireworks sailing
Dinner first, fireworks maybe
New Year's Eve dinners and fireworks cruises in Bangkok
From an early buffet that's over by nine to a front-row fireworks cruise. Family-friendly tables go fast, so book in November.
Showing 12 of 12 dinners and cruises
- Price per adult 2 of 3, ฿3,000 to ฿6,000
Carnival of Joy buffet
Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park, Panorama
2025:31 Dec · 6:30pm to 10pm
A New Year's Eve buffet with clowns, balloon juggling and family entertainment all evening, finishing at 10pm. Made for families, overlooking Lumpini.
Clowns and juggling - Price per adult 2 of 3, ฿3,000 to ฿6,000
A Grand New Year's Eve
Chatrium Grand Bangkok, Savio
2025:31 Dec · 6pm to 9pm
An international buffet that's over by nine. The sweet spot with small children: a festive dinner, home for bed, fireworks from the balcony.
฿3,499 net - Price per adult 1 of 3, Under ฿3,000
Barbecue Countdown with a balloon release
Chatrium Sathon Bangkok, Flow
2025:31 Dec · until midnight
A relaxed poolside barbecue with entertainment and a balloon release at the countdown. The cheapest hotel New Year's Eve we found.
Skewers from ฿899Balloon release - Price per adult 1 of 3, Under ฿3,000
Countdown to 2026 family day
The Londoner Brew Pub, Sukhumvit 33
2025:31 Dec · all day
A pub that billed New Year's Eve as a family day, with food from lunchtime and prosecco for the grown-ups. Leave whenever the little ones flag.
Family-friendly day - Price per adult 2 of 3, ฿3,000 to ฿6,000
New Year's Eve buffet at 57th Street
Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, Thong Lo
2025:31 Dec · from 6pm
A big lobby-floor buffet near BTS Thong Lo, close to the Sukhumvit countdown if you want to walk out for midnight.
฿3,390 - Price per adult 1 of 3, Under ฿3,000
New Year's Eve gala buffet
Ventisi, Centara Grand at CentralWorld
2025:31 Dec
Dinner right above the CentralWorld countdown. Great for being in the thick of it, but the roads around it close at 4pm, so plan to arrive by BTS.
From ฿2,999Inside the road closures - Price per adult 3 of 3, ฿6,000 and up
Neon Glow Countdown buffet on the barge
Chatrium Riverside Bangkok, River Barge
2025:31 Dec · 7pm to 1am
A countdown buffet on the hotel's River Barge. The hotel's rooftop Cloud 36 and Flow also sold fireworks-view packages from 10:30pm.
฿9,200Kids ฿4,600 - Price per adult 3 of 3, ฿6,000 and up
Carnival de Riverside gala
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
2025:31 Dec · from 7pm
A carnival-themed gala buffet with barbecue and seafood, and a fireworks display on the riverfront. Resort gardens give kids room to roam.
Riverfront fireworks - Price per adult 3 of 3, ฿6,000 and up
Grand Countdown with Chao Phraya fireworks
Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside
2025:31 Dec · from 7pm
Dinner across the hotel's riverside restaurants with a view of the river fireworks. A splurge, but you skip the crowds entirely.
From ฿12,888++ - Price per adult 3 of 3, ฿6,000 and up
New Year's Eve aboard Manohra
Manohra Cruises, from Anantara Riverside pier
Thu 31 Dec 2026 · 7pm or 10:30pm
Already announced for this year. The 7pm sailing gives you a sunset and a multi-course dinner and is back by nine. The 10:30pm sailing has front-row views of the midnight fireworks. Early bird until 30 November.
2026 confirmedEarly sailing ฿10,500 netFireworks sailing ฿17,900 netKids 5 to 11 ฿6,500 - Price per adult 2 of 3, ฿3,000 to ฿6,000
Cowboy Spirits and Midnight Cheers
Historic boat on the Chao Phraya
2025:31 Dec · sails 6pm, back after midnight
A Wild West themed river trip that stays out for the midnight fireworks. Fun for older kids who can make it past midnight.
Fairly family-friendly - Price per adult 2 of 3, ฿3,000 to ฿6,000
Pink Giraffe countdown
Topgolf Megacity, Bang Na
2025:31 Dec · from 9pm
Golf bays, a buffet and fireworks. Teenagers get something to do besides wait for midnight, and nobody has to stand in a crowd.
Great with teens
Ask if your table faces the fireworks
Riverside restaurants sell “fireworks view” dinners at fireworks prices. A river view isn’t always a fireworks view, so ask which way your table faces before you pay.
Book an early seating
A 6pm table is the sweet spot with younger kids: the festive dinner, then fireworks or bed, whichever wins. Hosting at home? The supermarkets are rammed on 30 and 31 December, so shop earlier in the week.
The best parenting hack of the year
The 8pm midnight trick
Small children don't know what time it is. Use that. In late December, Sydney is four hours ahead of Bangkok, so its famous midnight fireworks go off at 8pm here. Put the livestream on, count down together, bang some pots and pans, and have everyone in bed by half past eight, convinced they stayed up for New Year.
6pm
Midnight in Auckland
First big city into the new year
8pm
Midnight in Sydney
The famous Harbour Bridge fireworks
10pm
Midnight in Tokyo and Seoul
For older kids who want to push it
11pm
Midnight in Singapore and Hong Kong
One hour to go
Midnight
Here in Bangkok
Sawasdee Pi Mai!
Party poppers and glow sticks do the rest. Save the real thing for the year they ask for it.
Crowd survival
Keeping kids safe in the New Year's Eve crowds
The big countdowns are heavily policed and good-natured, and Bangkok is a safe city for families. But a midnight crowd is a midnight crowd.
Pick a meeting point first
Somewhere obvious and easy to describe, agreed before you arrive. Every child should know it by heart.
Put your number on them
A wristband, a sticker on the back of the shirt, or pen on the arm. Any adult or police officer can then call you.
Bring ear defenders
Fireworks this close are seriously loud. Kids' ear defenders are cheap and make small children far happier.
Leave the stroller at home
A carrier or a pair of shoulders beats wrestling a pram along a closed road at half past midnight.
Check the air
New Year sits in the smog season, and a city full of fireworks doesn't help. On a bad AQI night, watch from a balcony.
Leave at 11:45
With little ones, the best exit plan is going early and watching the fireworks over your shoulder from somewhere quieter.
We learned the meeting-point rule the hard way, a story we tell in our things to do in Bangkok with kids guide. More in is Bangkok safe for kids? and our smog season guide.
The hardest part of the night
Getting home after midnight
Roads near the big venues close, taxis vanish and ride-hailing prices surge for an hour or more. The trains are your friend.
- MRT: last year the Blue, Purple, Yellow and Pink lines ran until 2am. Check closer to the date.
- BTS: has usually extended its hours too. Confirm in late December.
- Walk a stop or two away from the fireworks before you board. It’s often quicker than queuing.
- Driving? Park well away from the venue and walk in.
Last year’s CentralWorld road closures
31 December, until about 2am (5am on the first stretch)
- Ratchadamri Road, Pratunam to Ratchaprasong, from noon
- Ratchadamri Road, Ratchaprasong towards Lumpini, from 4pm
- Rama I Road, Chaloem Phao to Ratchaprasong, from 4pm
- Phloen Chit Road, Ratchaprasong to Chidlom, from 4pm
- Ratchaprarop Road, Makkasan to Pratunam, from 4pm
- Phetchaburi Road, Chidlom to Pratunam, from 4pm
Only in Thailand
How Thai families see in the new year
Not everyone in Bangkok is at a countdown. Many Thai families mark the new year quietly, at the temple. It's a lovely thing to show the kids.
สวดมนต์ข้ามปี · Suad Mon Kham Pi
Chanting into the new year
Thousands of Thai families see in the new year at a temple, chanting through midnight instead of partying. Many temples welcome visitors; dress modestly and sit quietly at the back.
ตักบาตร · Tak Bat
Giving alms on New Year's morning
Early on 1 January, families line up to offer food to monks. It's a calm, beautiful start to the year, and kids love handing over the rice.
ไหว้พระ ๙ วัด · Wai Phra 9 Wat
The nine-temple merit route
A New Year favourite: visiting nine temples for luck, often Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Saket and Wat Bowonniwet among them. Go early, before the heat.
กระเช้าปีใหม่ · Krachao Pi Mai
New Year gift baskets
Baskets of snacks, fruit and drinks are the classic Thai New Year gift. Expect one from the office or your building, and consider one for your nanny, driver or the security team.
สวัสดีปีใหม่ · Sawasdee Pi Mai
Say it like a local
"Happy New Year" in Thai. Teach the kids to say it with a wai to the condo staff and watch everyone's face light up.
The secret
New Year's Day is the best day of the year to be in Bangkok
With half the city out of town, 1 January is wonderfully quiet: empty roads, calm parks and usually lovely weather.
A picnic in the park
Lumpini or Benchakitti Park, before the heat. Bring a frisbee and the leftover party snacks.
Do the thing you never do
The quiet roads make it the perfect day for one of our things to do with kids.
Fill the rest of the break
School goes back in the second week of January. See our holiday camps and school holidays calendar.
Still planning December? Our Christmas in Bangkok with kids guide has 28 Christmas dinners, every place to meet Santa and the best lights.
Save it, share it, stick it on the fridge
New Year's Eve in Bangkok 2026 posters
Three free New Year's Eve posters: a one-page cheat sheet, the 8pm midnight trick, and the best plans by age. Share them in your class chat, condo LINE group or anywhere Bangkok parents gather, with a credit to BKK Families. Tap a poster for the full-size version.
Quick answers
New Year's Eve in Bangkok FAQ
Where is the best place to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks in Bangkok with kids?
ICONSIAM has the biggest display, over the Chao Phraya, but the biggest crowd too, so it suits teens. With younger children, Asiatique The Riverfront, the Sukhumvit countdown around Benchasiri Park, a smaller local countdown such as Seacon Square, or a riverside restaurant or cruise with a view are much easier.
What time are the New Year's Eve fireworks in Bangkok?
The main fireworks go off at midnight. Countdown events usually start in the early evening with concerts, and people start claiming riverside spots at ICONSIAM in the afternoon. Some venues run drone shows before midnight.
Is New Year's Eve a public holiday in Thailand?
Yes. Both 31 December and 1 January are public holidays. In 2026 they fall on a Thursday and a Friday, so many people get a four-day weekend and a lot of Bangkok leaves for the provinces.
Do the BTS and MRT run late on New Year's Eve?
Last year the MRT Blue, Purple, Yellow and Pink lines ran until 2am on New Year's Eve, and the BTS has usually extended its hours too. Confirm both closer to the date, and expect stations near the fireworks to be packed straight after midnight.
Is the CentralWorld countdown OK for young children?
It's a huge, loud crowd, and last year six roads around it closed from 4pm, so it works best for teenagers. If you take younger children, stay near the edges, agree a meeting point, put your phone number on them and bring ear defenders.
How can young kids celebrate New Year if they can't stay up until midnight?
Celebrate with Sydney. It's four hours ahead of Bangkok in late December, so its midnight fireworks go off at 8pm Bangkok time. Watch the livestream, count down together, and everyone is in bed by half past eight.
Can you watch the Bangkok New Year fireworks from a river cruise?
Yes. Dinner cruises run New Year's Eve sailings timed for the midnight fireworks. Manohra Cruises has already announced 2026: a 7pm sailing at ฿10,500 without fireworks and a 10:30pm fireworks sailing at ฿17,900, with children aged 5 to 11 at ฿6,500.
Hosting a family-friendly New Year’s Eve?
Send us the details and we’ll add it. We update this guide every few days through December.
Found a great spot to watch the fireworks with kids? Share it in the Bangkok Expat Families group. Sawasdee Pi Mai, and happy new year from all of us at BKK Families!
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