Chiang Mai in the last week of December is dry and mild, most things stay open, and the city is full of families doing exactly what you are doing. The week is easy to fill without a single indoor mall day. Here is how to plan it.
Is Chiang Mai a good place for Christmas with kids?
Yes. Christmas falls in Chiang Mai's cool, dry season, so children can be outdoors all day without rain or heavy heat. Christmas Day is not a public holiday in Thailand, so cafes, markets and attractions open as usual, while hotels and expat restaurants add trees, lights and festive menus. The result is a working city with a light holiday layer on top, which suits families who want to be out and about.
The trade-off is that Christmas here feels different from home. There is no shutdown, no quiet streets, and the festive touches are concentrated in hotels, malls and the international school circuit. If your children expect a big day, build one yourselves: a special breakfast, a garden afternoon, a dinner you book in advance.
For younger children, a normal working day on 25 December is easy to fill, because attractions open as usual. For teenagers, see Chiang Mai with teenagers for ideas that hold their attention beyond the temple circuit.
What is the weather like in December?
December is the cool, dry season. Rough Guides gives an average day temperature range of 15 to 27 degrees Celsius and around 20mm of rain for the whole month, one of the lowest of the year. Mornings and evenings feel chilly by Thai standards, so bring a light jumper, but from mid-morning to late afternoon it is warm and clear, which is ideal for being outside with children.
The figures come from the Rough Guides December guide to Chiang Mai. In practice, the morning chill burns off fast and the middle of the day is warm enough for ice cream and shade. Shaded seating matters more than a raincoat this month.
Plan outdoor things for late morning and the golden hour before dusk, when the light is soft and the temperature drops back. This is the opposite of the hot season, where rainy day and hot season plans are about hiding from the sun.
Is anything closed over Christmas and New Year?
Very little closes for Christmas, because it is not a Thai public holiday. New Year's Eve on 31 December and New Year's Day on 1 January are national holidays, so some businesses shorten hours or close, and the city gets busier over the long weekend. Book restaurants for those two nights, and expect heavier traffic and fuller hotels across the whole week.
The holiday status is set out in the Thaiger list of 2026 public holidays and observances, which lists Christmas as commercially celebrated only, and 31 December and 1 January as national holidays.
For a family this means the 25th is your easiest day for attractions, and the 31st and 1st are the days to keep simple. Walk-in venues that open every day are worth knowing about, because you can arrive whenever the morning allows.
What can families do outdoors over the holidays?
Cool season is the best time of year for being outside in Chiang Mai. Garden mini golf, park picnics, lawn games and slow half-day walks all work well for mixed ages. A round of 18 holes at Mini Golf CNX takes about 1 to 2 hours, which fits neatly between a late breakfast and lunch, and the shaded garden seating, cornhole and board games mean nobody is rushed off the course when they finish.
Pick one anchor activity a day and leave the rest loose. Children on holiday do not need a full itinerary, and adults do not need the stress of one. A garden morning, a long lunch, and a quiet afternoon is a full day.
If you want a single afternoon planned end to end, the Chiang Mai one afternoon plan is built for exactly this. For a longer stay with younger children, the screen-free activities for kids guide lists options that do not involve a tablet.
How do you plan New Year's Eve with children?
Keep the day outdoors and the evening early. A daytime activity such as a round of mini golf or a garden walk uses up energy in the cool weather, then an early dinner near your hotel avoids the worst of the traffic. Fireworks and countdown gatherings run past midnight and are crowded, so many families with young children watch from their hotel or a quiet spot rather than joining the main event.
If you are travelling with a mixed group, split the evening. One adult takes younger children back after dinner while the rest stay out. Restaurants fill on the 31st, so book in advance and choose somewhere within walking distance of your bed.
Mini golf over the holidays: the facts
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Course | 18-hole garden mini golf course in Chiang Mai |
| Booking | None needed, walk in |
| Opening hours | Every day, 09:00 to 18:00 |
| Time for a round | About 1 to 2 hours |
| On site | Cold drinks, snacks and ice cream |
| Seating | Shaded garden seating |
| Lawn games | Cornhole, board games, frisbee |
| Groups and events | Welcome, message ahead so space is set aside |
If you are bringing a larger holiday group or planning a birthday over the break, the contact page is the place to message ahead so a spot in the garden is kept for you.