Photo: TAT Bangkok is preparing for a month of nighttime celebrations as Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 opens on November 13, transforming 19 locations along the city's famous riverfront with illuminated installations, fireworks, drone displays and cultural performances.
The annual festival, now in its fifth edition, will run until December 13, stretching from Rama VIII Bridge to Rama III Bridge. Organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this year's event carries the theme "The Light of Imagination" and combines modern light technology with the history, architecture and cultural heritage of the Chao Phraya River.
Photo: TATVisitors can expect a series of attractions along both riverbanks, including projection mapping, laser shows, illuminated sculptures and multimedia performances. A floating installation, named "Vessel of Joy & Smiles", will also travel along the river between the Sathorn area and Rama III Bridge.
One of the main attractions will be the 800-drone light performances above Wat Arun, one of Bangkok's best-known landmarks. The shows are scheduled for November 13, 15, 18, 20, 25 and 27, followed by December 2, 4, 9 and 11, all at 19:50.
Photo: TATFireworks will feature at several locations throughout the festival. At Rama VIII Bridge, displays are planned for November 13 and 15 at 19:30, as well as November 20 and 27 and December 4 and 11 at 20:45. Additional fireworks will take place at Memorial Bridge on selected weekends, while Rama III Bridge will also host scheduled displays.
Photo: TATOther participating locations include ICONSIAM, where visitors can watch multimedia water features six times each evening, and the Bank of Thailand Museum, which will present an installation exploring the river's relationship with Bangkok's communities and economic development.
The programme also includes contributions from three Thai universities: Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. Their installations bring contemporary artistic and technological interpretations to selected riverfront sites.
According to TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the festival is intended to give visitors more opportunities to explore Bangkok after dark while supporting businesses and communities along the river.
The event is also part of Thailand's broader Night Economy strategy, designed to encourage evening tourism and distribute visitor spending across hotels, restaurants, river cruises, transport providers and local businesses.
Photo: TATVijit Chao Phraya 2026 is free to attend, with displays operating daily from 18:00 to 22:00 between November 13 and December 13.
Visitors can watch the installations from designated riverside locations or book sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises and local boat services through licensed operators. However, individual show schedules vary by location, and some performances take place only on selected dates.
Further details and schedule updates are available through the official Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 Facebook page and Thailand's tourism events website.
Photo: TAT