diff --git a/examples/reference/chat/ChatAreaInput.ipynb b/examples/reference/chat/ChatAreaInput.ipynb
index 027586e90a..5ea2880622 100644
--- a/examples/reference/chat/ChatAreaInput.ipynb
+++ b/examples/reference/chat/ChatAreaInput.ipynb
@@ -16,16 +16,17 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "source": [
     "The `ChatAreaInput` inherits from `TextAreaInput`, allowing entering any multiline string using a text input\n",
-    "box, with the ability to click the \"Enter\" key to submit the message.\n",
+    "box, with the ability to click the \"Enter\" key or optionally the \"Ctrl-Enter\" key to submit the message.\n",
+    "\n",
+    "Whether \"Enter\" or \"Ctrl-Enter\" sends the message depends on whether the `enter_sends` parameter is set to True (the default) or False.\n",
     "\n",
     "Unlike TextAreaInput, the `ChatAreaInput` defaults to auto_grow=True and\n",
-    "max_rows=10, and the `value` is not synced to the server until the \"Enter\" key\n",
-    "is pressed so watch `value_input` if you need to access what's currently\n",
+    "max_rows=10, and the `value` is not synced to the server until the message is actually sent, so watch `value_input` if you need to access what's currently\n",
     "available in the text input box.\n",
     "\n",
     "Lines are joined with the newline character `\\n`.\n",
     "\n",
-    "It's primary purpose is use within the [`ChatInterface`](ChatInterface.ipynb) for a high-level, *easy to use*, *ChatGPT like* interface.\n",
+    "The primary purpose of `ChatAreaInput` is its use with [`ChatInterface`](ChatInterface.ipynb) for a high-level, *easy to use*, *ChatGPT like* interface.\n",
     "\n",
     "<img alt=\"Chat Design Specification\" src=\"../../assets/ChatDesignSpecification.png\"></img>\n",
     "\n",
@@ -35,20 +36,21 @@
     "\n",
     "##### Core\n",
     "\n",
-    "* **``disabled_enter``** (bool): If True, the enter key will not submit the message (clear the value).\n",
-    "* **``value``** (str): The value when the \"Enter\" key is pressed. Only to be used with `watch` or `bind` because the `value` resets to `\"\"` after the \"Enter\" key is pressed; use `value_input` instead to access what's currently available in the text input box.\n",
+    "* **``disabled_enter``** (bool): If True, disables sending the message by pressing the `enter_sends` key.\n",
+    "* **``enter_sends``** (bool): If True, pressing the Enter key sends the message, if False it is sent by pressing the Ctrl-Enter. Defaults to True.",
+    "* **``value``** (str): The value when the \"Enter\" or \"Ctrl-Enter\" key is pressed. Only to be used with `watch` or `bind` because the `value` resets to `\"\"` after the message is sent; use `value_input` instead to access what's currently available in the text input box.\n",
     "* **``value_input``** (str): The current value updated on every key press.\n",
     "\n",
     "##### Display\n",
     "\n",
     "* **`auto_grow`** (boolean, default=True): Whether the TextArea should automatically grow in height to fit the content.\n",
-    "* **`cols`** (int, default=2): The number of columns in the text input field. \n",
+    "* **`cols`** (int, default=2): The number of columns in the text input field.\n",
     "* **`disabled`** (boolean, default=False): Whether the widget is editable\n",
     "* **`max_length`** (int, default=5000): Max character length of the input field. Defaults to 5000\n",
-    "* **`max_rows`** (int, default=10): The maximum number of rows in the text input field when `auto_grow=True`. \n",
+    "* **`max_rows`** (int, default=10): The maximum number of rows in the text input field when `auto_grow=True`.\n",
     "* **`name`** (str): The title of the widget\n",
     "* **`placeholder`** (str): A placeholder string displayed when no value is entered\n",
-    "* **`rows`** (int, default=2): The number of rows in the text input field. \n",
+    "* **`rows`** (int, default=2): The number of rows in the text input field.\n",
     "* **`resizable`** (boolean | str, default='both'): Whether the layout is interactively resizable, and if so in which dimensions: `width`, `height`, or `both`.\n",
     "\n",
     "___"
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@
    "source": [
     "#### Basics\n",
     "\n",
-    "To submit a message, press the Enter key."
+    "To submit a message, press the \"Enter\" key if **``enter_sends``** is True (the default), else press \"Ctrl-Enter\"."
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -97,7 +99,7 @@
    "cell_type": "markdown",
    "metadata": {},
    "source": [
-    "To see what's currently typed in, use `value_input` instead because `value` will be `\"\"` besides during submission."
+    "To see what's currently typed in, use `value_input` instead because `value` will only be set during submission and be `\"\"` otherwise."
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -106,8 +108,11 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "chat_area_input = pn.chat.ChatAreaInput(placeholder=\"Type something, leave it, and run the next cell\")\n",
-    "chat_area_input"
+    "chat_area_input = pn.chat.ChatAreaInput(enter_sends=False,   # To submit a message, press Ctrl-Enter\n",
+    "                                        placeholder=\"Type something, do not submit it, and run the next cell\",)\n",
+    "output_markdown = pn.bind(output, chat_area_input.param.value)\n",
+    "\n",
+    "pn.Row(chat_area_input, output_markdown)"
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -116,7 +121,7 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "print(chat_area_input.value_input, chat_area_input.value)"
+    "print(f'{chat_area_input.value_input=}, {chat_area_input.value=}')"
    ]
   }
  ],
diff --git a/panel/chat/input.py b/panel/chat/input.py
index 7843a5b9f3..1497125f4d 100644
--- a/panel/chat/input.py
+++ b/panel/chat/input.py
@@ -45,7 +45,12 @@ class ChatAreaInput(_PnTextAreaInput):
 
     disabled_enter = param.Boolean(
         default=False,
-        doc="If True, the enter key will not submit the message (clear the value).",
+        doc="If True, disables sending the message by pressing the `enter_sends` key.",
+    )
+
+    enter_sends = param.Boolean(
+        default=True,
+        doc="If True, pressing the Enter key sends the message, if False it is sent by pressing the Ctrl+Enter.",
     )
 
     rows = param.Integer(default=1, doc="""
diff --git a/panel/models/chatarea_input.py b/panel/models/chatarea_input.py
index 116741f5d6..c469622c38 100644
--- a/panel/models/chatarea_input.py
+++ b/panel/models/chatarea_input.py
@@ -16,4 +16,7 @@ def __init__(self, model, value=None):
 class ChatAreaInput(TextAreaInput):
 
     disabled_enter = Bool(default=False, help="""
-        If True, the enter key will not submit the message (clear the value).""")
+        If True, disables sending the message by pressing the `enter_sends` key.""")
+
+    enter_sends = Bool(default=True, help="""
+        If True, pressing the Enter key sends the message, if False it is sent by pressing Ctrl+Enter""")
diff --git a/panel/models/chatarea_input.ts b/panel/models/chatarea_input.ts
index 12d3e0b48f..46fb86870c 100644
--- a/panel/models/chatarea_input.ts
+++ b/panel/models/chatarea_input.ts
@@ -31,12 +31,17 @@ export class ChatAreaInputView extends PnTextAreaInputView {
     super.render()
 
     this.el.addEventListener("keydown", (event) => {
-      if (event.key === "Enter" && !event.shiftKey) {
-        if (!this.model.disabled_enter) {
-          this.model.trigger_event(new ChatMessageEvent(this.model.value_input))
-          this.model.value_input = ""
+      if (event.key === "Enter") {
+        if (!event.shiftKey && (event.ctrlKey != this.model.enter_sends)) {
+          if (!this.model.disabled_enter) {
+            this.model.trigger_event(new ChatMessageEvent(this.model.value_input))
+            this.model.value_input = ""
+          }
+          event.preventDefault()
+        } else if (event.ctrlKey && this.model.enter_sends) {
+          this.model.value_input += "\n"
+          event.preventDefault()
         }
-        event.preventDefault()
       }
     })
   }
@@ -46,6 +51,7 @@ export namespace ChatAreaInput {
   export type Attrs = p.AttrsOf<Props>
   export type Props = PnTextAreaInput.Props & {
     disabled_enter: p.Property<boolean>
+    enter_sends: p.Property<boolean>
   }
 }
 
@@ -65,6 +71,7 @@ export class ChatAreaInput extends PnTextAreaInput {
     this.define<ChatAreaInput.Props>(({Bool}) => {
       return {
         disabled_enter: [ Bool, false ],
+        enter_sends: [ Bool, true ],
       }
     })
   }
diff --git a/panel/tests/ui/chat/test_input_ui.py b/panel/tests/ui/chat/test_input_ui.py
index 6b3001fdf9..bc570e1c1c 100644
--- a/panel/tests/ui/chat/test_input_ui.py
+++ b/panel/tests/ui/chat/test_input_ui.py
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ def test_chat_area_input_resets_to_row(page):
     # find chat area input and type a message
     textbox = page.locator(".bk-input")
     textbox.fill("Hello World!")
+
     # click shift_enter 3 times
     textbox.press("Shift+Enter")
     textbox.press("Shift+Enter")
@@ -69,3 +70,41 @@ def test_chat_area_input_resets_to_row(page):
     assert chat_area_input.value == ""
     textbox_rows = textbox.evaluate("el => el.rows")
     assert textbox_rows == 2
+
+
+def test_chat_area_enter_sends(page):
+
+    chat_area_input = ChatAreaInput()
+    serve_component(page, chat_area_input)
+
+    # find chat area input
+    textbox = page.locator(".bk-input")
+
+    # Case enter_sends is True
+    chat_area_input.enter_sends = True
+    textbox.fill("enter_sends: True")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "enter_sends: True", page)
+    textbox.press("Shift+Enter")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "enter_sends: True\n", page)
+    textbox.press("Control+Enter")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "enter_sends: True\n\n", page)
+    textbox_rows = textbox.evaluate("el => el.rows")
+    assert textbox_rows == 3
+
+    textbox.press("Enter")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "", page)
+    assert chat_area_input.value == ""
+
+    # Case enter_sends is False
+    chat_area_input.enter_sends = False
+    textbox.fill("enter_sends: False")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "enter_sends: False", page)
+    textbox.press("Enter")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "enter_sends: False\n", page)
+    textbox.press("Shift+Enter")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "enter_sends: False\n\n", page)
+    textbox_rows = textbox.evaluate("el => el.rows")
+    assert textbox_rows == 3
+    textbox.press("Control+Enter")
+    wait_until(lambda: chat_area_input.value_input == "", page)
+    assert chat_area_input.value == ""