Thailand Guide

Festival ·

Vijit Chao Phraya 2026: 31 nights of lights on Bangkok's river

From Friday 13 November to Sunday 13 December 2026, TAT lights 13 sites along the Chao Phraya under the theme Light of Imagination. Expect projection mapping, drones and fireworks for about 31 nights, free from both banks.

Checked against The Nation (23 Oct 2026), Thansettakij (22 Oct 2026) and TAT Newsroom; nightly drone/fireworks calendar not on TAT channels as of 4 Nov 2026.

Wat Arun illuminated at dusk with its reflection on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok
Photo: Preecha.MJ · CC BY-SA 4.0

The dates that are locked in

  • When: Friday 13 November to Sunday 13 December 2026, about 31 nights.
  • Who runs it: the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This is the fifth edition.
  • Theme: Light of Imagination (แสงแห่งจินตนาการ), confirmed by TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool at a partners briefing on 22 October 2026.
  • Where on the map: both banks of the Chao Phraya between Rama III Bridge and Rama VIII Bridge.
  • How many sites: 13 riverside locations with light and sound, projection mapping, drone formations, fireworks and cultural performances.
  • Cost to watch: free from the riverbanks, as with past editions. Re-check TAT closer to opening if any paid viewing platforms appear.

Sites named so far

  • Named landmarks: Rama VIII Bridge, Wat Arun Ratchawararam, Wichai Prasit Fort, Memorial Bridge (Phra Phuttha Yodfa), Phra Pok Klao Bridge and Krung Thep Bridge.
  • Plus more: TAT says other major riverside locations complete the set of 13. Full site maps usually land closer to opening night.
  • Best postcard bank: the Bangkok side opposite Wat Arun (Tha Tien area) for the lit prang across the water. Climb the temple by day; watch the river by night.
  • Bridge views: Rama VIII for a wide cable-stayed silhouette, Memorial Bridge and Krung Thep Bridge for the denser mid-river stretch.

What is still unpublished

  • Nightly show calendar: as of 4 November 2026, TAT had not posted the night-by-night list of drone nights, fireworks nights or exact start times on its main channels.
  • Treat third-party timetables as provisional: some ticket and listing sites already print Friday or weekend fireworks around 20:45 and Wednesday drone nights at Wat Arun. Wait for TAT, the Thailand Festival listing, or on-site boards before you plan a single big night around one clock time.
  • 2025 window for context only: last year’s programmes ran free from about 18:00 to 22:00. That is useful for planning dinner and boats, not a confirmed 2026 timetable.

How to get there and watch

  • River boats: Chao Phraya Express (orange flag) and the local ferries are the simplest way to hop between piers. Start from Saphan Taksin (BTS) if you are coming from the Skytrain.
  • Useful piers: Tha Tien for the Wat Arun view, Tha Arun on the Thonburi bank, and stops near Memorial Bridge for the mid-river bridges.
  • MRT backup: Blue Line Sanam Chai for the old town bank, Itsaraphap for the Thonburi side near Wat Arun.
  • Crowds: opening weekend and weekends fill first. Arrive before dusk if you want a rail-side spot without standing five people deep.
  • Safety: stay behind barriers on bridges and piers. Marine Police and tourist police support the event corridor; follow staff directions if a stretch closes for a fireworks barge.

Pair it with November’s other river nights

  • 6 November: the Royal Barge Procession sails to Wat Arun. River boats pause in the old town that afternoon, then the light festival opens a week later.
  • 24 November: Loy Krathong falls on the full moon Tuesday inside the Vijit window. Expect floating krathongs plus the light sites on the same river.
  • Stay idea: a room near the river (Rattanakosin, Thonburi riverside, or Iconsiam area) saves late Grab rides after the shows. Use the stay box on this page for Bangkok options.
  • Check before you go: TAT Contact Centre 1672, and re-check the programme the day you visit in case a fireworks night moves.