Ayutthaya’s ruins show off their soul

As day fades into night along the Chao Phraya River, the ruined temples of Ayutthaya begin to glow.

Brick chedis and riverside temples, usually explored under the midday sun, are illuminated after dark, revealing a more beautiful and soulful side of Thailand’s former capital.

This winter, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ayutthaya is inviting visitors to experience that transformation through the Ayutthaya Nawa Festival.

This nighttime cultural program turns historic monuments, museums and palace grounds into fascinating destinations after dark.

Temple grounds become a stage for classical Thai arts at the Ayutthaya Nawa Festival.//Photo: Fine Arts Department

The Ayutthaya Nawa Festival runs from 26 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, then resumes from 9 January to 1 February 2026, every Friday to Sunday, between 4.30 pm. and 9.30 pm.

Rather than cramming activity into a single festival weekend, the extended schedule allows visitors to plan overnight stays and explore the city at a slower pace, long after most day-trippers have left the historical city.

Phnombootra Chadrajoti, director general of the Fine Arts Department, inspects products at the festival.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of Ayutthaya’s most iconic temples, takes center stage.

Built in the 17th century and inspired by ancient Khmer architectural forms, the riverside complex of Wat Chaiwatthanaram takes on a striking new character at night.

Light art accentuates the symmetry of its central pagoda and surrounding stupas, casting long shadows that heighten the sense of scale and history. The lighting creates a subdued, immersive mood, inviting unhurried exploration rather than overt spectacle.

Cultural performances form the core of the evening program.

Visitors encounter a selection of classical Thai arts staged across the temple grounds, including Khon masked dance dramas based on the Ramakien (Ramayana), as well as traditional theatre styles such as Lakhon Nok and Lakhon Phanthang dances.

Thai classical music and period-style Ramwong dancing add fun and color to the festival.

Allowing audiences to move freely, the cultural performances are informal and open-air. They’re designed to be experienced while visitors are walking through the site.

One of the most understated yet memorable moments comes after dusk, when visitors are invited to float small candles in quiet tribute.

The flickering lights reflect on the water and echo the illuminated ruins behind them, creating a scene that is reflective rather than ceremonial.

For many, it offers a pause amid the performances and an opportunity to consider the long and complex history of Ayutthaya, which served as the Siamese capital for more than four centuries.

Ayutthaya Nawa extends beyond a single site, encouraging visitors to explore other parts of the historic city by night.

At Wat Phra Ram, another temple within the Ayutthaya Historical Park, the highlight is on ambience and photography.

Soft lighting highlights the contours of the ancient brickwork, turning the temple into a popular setting for evening walks. Many visitors choose to wear traditional dress, adding a sense of place to photographs taken against the ruins.

At the Chankasem National Museum, the former royal residence known as Chankasem Palace opens its doors for nighttime visits under the program “Night at the Palace.”

There, guided tours lead visitors through the complex after dark, with interpreters in period attire recounting stories of royal court life, diplomacy and daily routines during Ayutthaya’s later years.

Demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts are woven into the experience, while some evenings explore spiritual beliefs and symbolic practices that continue to influence Thai culture.

Minister of Culture Sabeeda Thaised (centre) attends cultural performances at the Ayutthaya Nawa Festival.//Photo: Fine Arts Department

Daytime activities complement the evening events at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, where exhibitions provide a deeper historical context.

A traveling showcase of royally inspired Thai costumes traces the evolution of court dress and craftsmanship, while talks and small seminars examine Ayutthaya’s role as a regional hub of trade, religion and artistic exchange.

The program also includes lighter elements, such as events celebrating ancient Thai cat breeds, alongside displays of antiques, maritime manuscripts and traditional handicrafts.

Food and shopping are available for visitors but are intentionally subdued.

An international-style heritage market offers traditional snacks, regional sweets and handicrafts inspired by Ayutthaya’s past as a trading post that connected Southeast Asia with China, Persia and Europe.

Rather than a crowded street fair, the market is curated as an evening promenade, aligning with the reflective tone of the wider program.

For local businesses, the extended nighttime opening hours encourage visitors to stay longer, benefiting hotels, guesthouses and restaurants along the river and within the old city.

For travelers, the experience reshapes Ayutthaya as more than a daytime historical stop.

By night, the ruins feel less monumental and more intimate, animated by music, movement and light.

A series of cultural performances take turns entertaining festival-goers after dark.//Photo: Fine Arts Department

As Thailand continues to experiment with new ways of presenting its cultural heritage, Ayutthaya Nawa offers a measured approach.

Instead of recreating the past or staging large-scale spectacles, it invites visitors to encounter the city on its own terms—slowly, quietly and after dark, when Ayutthaya’s long history seems closest to the surface.