Thailand Unites Vietnam, and Indonesia: The Ultimate New Year Travel Festivals You Can’t Miss in 2025!

Published on December 15, 2025

As the world edges toward 2025, Thailand has prepared a series of official celebrations to welcome visitors with culture, spectacle and hospitality. The coming year has been designated as an extraordinary tourism season, with national authorities promoting “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025” to showcase the kingdom as a world‑class destination. From lavish countdown events in Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the vibrant Chinese New Year festivities and the UNESCO‑listed Songkran water festival, these government‑endorsed celebrations offer travellers an immersive glimpse into Thailand’s rich traditions and modern creativity.

Countdown to 2025: Festive Nights Across Thailand

To ring in 2025, Thailand’s tourism planners are staging a nationwide “Countdown 2025” series that blends traditional rituals with contemporary entertainment. The focal point is a multi‑day festival at Nagaraphirom Park on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. Running from 28 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, the celebration will feature cultural performances on a floating stage, live music by popular Thai artists, eco‑friendly workshops, local culinary markets and a mesmerising drone light show. On New Year’s Eve, a spectacular nine‑act fireworks display will illuminate the river against the backdrop of Wat Arun, while visitors are invited to return on New Year’s Day for merit‑making at the temple.

In Northern Thailand, the “Amazing Chiang Mai Countdown 2025” will transform Royal Park Rajapruek into an illuminated wonderland from 21 December 2024 to 1 January 2025. Visitors can enjoy Illumination Night displays, cultural showcases and concerts before a grand fireworks finale. Back in the capital, the River Park at ICONSIAM will host a world‑class celebration from 29 to 31 December, culminating in Thailand’s longest eco‑friendly fireworks display spanning over a kilometre of riverfront. Meanwhile, CentralWorld’s one‑night countdown on 31 December will bring the atmosphere of Times Square to Bangkok with live performances, a spectacular tree display and dazzling fireworks. Beyond these flagship events, authorities are supporting celebrations at Asiatique the Riverfront, the EM District’s Winter Wonderland, Central Embassy, the Neon Countdown at Wonder World and Siam Paragon’s Magical Countdown Celebration. Each promises distinctive themes ranging from high‑end shopping extravaganzas to family‑friendly carnival rides and music.

Travellers seeking a change of scenery can head to Hua Hin for beachside fireworks or venture to the Northeast for regional countdowns. Provinces such as Maha Sarakham, Chaiyaphum and Udon Thani are hosting events that weave local culture into the festivities. In the South, the Hat Yai Countdown will enliven the city from 29 December through New Year’s Day with parades, concerts and food fairs. Other provinces, including Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Uthai Thani, Kamphaeng Phet and Chon Buri, will stage their own countdown celebrations. Nationwide security measures are being enhanced; tourist police are deploying additional personnel and technology to ensure safe and convenient experiences. Tourism planners expect these New Year events to attract more than one and a half million international visitors and generate billions of baht in revenue, demonstrating Thailand’s readiness as a global festival hub.

Chinese New Year Celebrations

After the Western New Year, Thailand’s diverse communities welcome the Chinese New Year with their own vibrant festivities. Official tourism announcements invite travellers to experience dazzling light displays on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s Chinatown from 19 January to 9 February 2025. The theme “Ignite Your Senses: Embrace Our Two Cultures” will illuminate the streets from the Odean Circle to Chaloem Buri intersection, with an opening ceremony and cultural performances by Thai‑Chinese artists.

At CentralWorld, the “Happy Chinese New Year 2025” festival from 28 January to 2 February will pair blessing rituals with performances by troupes from Chinese provinces, alongside crafts workshops and a bustling food market. Across the country, communities will mark the occasion with parades, decorations and local specialties. The riverfront festival in Nakhon Sawan’s Pak Nam Pho will feature parades, light displays and lively marketplaces. Nong Khai, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani will host lion dances, dragon performances and lantern‑lined streets. Pattaya will stage Thai‑Chinese cultural performances and concerts. Samut Sakhon will combine light and sound shows with an illuminated boat parade on the Tha Chin River. Krabi’s celebration will focus on honouring the God of Wealth followed by feasts, while Hat Yai will dazzle spectators with a 500‑drone light show, illuminated sculptures and traditional performances. Heritage festivals in Suphan Buri and Lampang will showcase local traditions at shrines and museums. These events invite visitors to witness the blending of Chinese and Thai traditions while supporting local communities.

Songkran World Water Festival: Thailand’s New Year

The Thai New Year, known as Songkran, is traditionally celebrated in April, and in 2025 it will be elevated to a global spectacle. Recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, the Maha Songkran World Water Festival will take place from 11 to 15 April at Sanam Luang in Bangkok. National leaders have framed the festival as a symbol of Thai identity and soft power. The festivities will begin with the Maha Songkran Parade on 12 April at 17:00, when eight themed processions will travel from Democracy Monument to Sanam Luang. The floats—such as “The River of Blessings” featuring a mythical Naga serpent, “Colours of the Seasons” celebrating tropical fruits and floating markets, “Flavour of Siam” honouring iconic dishes, “Noble Elephant” paying tribute to revered elephants, “Betta Brilliance” highlighting fighting fish, “Spirit of the Fairground” evoking temple fairs, “Tuk‑Tuk Beats” blending pop culture with traditional transport and “Songkran Through Young Eyes”—tell stories of heritage, prosperity and creativity.

Sanam Luang will be transformed into a multi‑zone festival ground. Five regional pavilions will allow visitors to sample crafts and architecture from the North, Northeast, Central, East and South. A Thai Charms zone will invite guests to taste traditional desserts, learn Muay Thai or massage techniques, purchase handicrafts and dress in classical attire for photographs. A classic temple fair will feature a haunted house, open‑air cinema, Ferris wheel and sand pagoda building, while a water play zone will offer a giant spill bucket, synchronised fountains and electronic dance music sets. Live performances will run from late afternoon until late evening, featuring both contemporary artists and classical Thai arts such as khon masked drama, shadow puppetry and Nora dance. Visitors can access schedules and zone maps through a dedicated application and participate in a recycling initiative that supports the festival’s sustainable focus. Tourist police will provide 24‑hour multilingual assistance, and a mobile app will integrate GPS, SOS functions and emergency contacts.

The Songkran celebrations extend well beyond Bangkok. Under the “Yen Tua La Maha Songkran” campaign, events will be organised throughout April in provinces such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nong Khai and Ayutthaya. Private sector festivals—such as ICONSIAM’s Maha Songkran, the S2O Songkran Music Festival and the GCircuit Songkran party—will amplify the water‑splashing fun. Tourism authorities project that the 2025 Songkran celebrations could generate over 26.5 billion baht in revenue, drawing more than 476 000 international visitors and over 4.4 million domestic trips.

Conclusion

Thailand’s official festival calendar for New Year 2025 offers travellers an unparalleled journey through tradition, artistry and celebration. Whether watching fireworks over the Chao Phraya River, wandering through illuminated parks, sipping tea beneath Chinatown’s lanterns or joining water‑splashed parades at Sanam Luang, visitors can experience the kingdom’s rich culture while supporting sustainable and safe tourism. With events meticulously planned by national authorities and supported by community organisations, 2025 promises to be a memorable year for travellers who choose to celebrate the New Year in Thailand.