Short answer: For warm weather in December, go to Phuket, Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Key West, Tenerife, Cape Town, Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Luxor or Dubai, where December is dry or drying out and days are warm. For a festive winter trip, go to Vienna, Nuremberg or Prague for Christmas markets, or to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland for snow.
December pulls travelers in two directions. Some want to swap gray skies for a beach towel. Others want the cold done properly: mulled wine, lit-up squares and real snow. This guide covers both, with twelve places that are at their best, or close to it, in December.
For each place you get why December works, typical December weather, one or two things to do, and a practical note. The weather figures are long-term averages (mostly the 1991–2020 climate normals from each country’s weather service), so they tell you what is normal, not what will happen on your dates. Each section links to our full guide for that place.
Warm beaches
Phuket and Khao Lak, Thailand
Why December: on Thailand’s Andaman coast, the wet months are ending. Phuket gets about 7 inches (178 mm) of rain in November on average, which falls to about 3.2 inches (82 mm) in December and drops again in January, so the sea calms and the sunny spells get longer.
Typical weather: highs around 90°F (32°C), nights around 77°F (25°C), with occasional showers that usually pass quickly.
Best things to do: spend the mornings on the west-coast beaches, then take a day trip to the Similan Islands from Khao Lak, north of Phuket. The Similans are a national park that closes every year from 16 May to 14 October, so December falls in the open season.
Practical note: the Christmas and New Year weeks are the busiest of the year here, so book rooms and island trips early. See our Phuket travel guide, Khao Lak travel guide and Thailand travel guide.
Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Mexico
Why December: the Atlantic hurricane season ends on 30 November, and the Caribbean coast settles into its pleasant winter pattern: warm, drier than the autumn months, and comfortable for the beach.
Typical weather: highs around 85°F (29°C) and lows around 70°F (21°C) in Cancún. December still gets about 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, spread over roughly 12 days with some rain, usually in short bursts rather than all-day downpours.
Best things to do: swim and snorkel off the white-sand beaches, then head down the coast to the cenotes and the Maya ruins at Tulum, which sit on a cliff above the sea.
Practical note: Playa del Carmen and Tulum are quieter bases than Cancún’s hotel zone. See our Cancún travel guide, Riviera Maya travel guide, Tulum travel guide and Mexico travel guide.
Key West and the Florida Keys, United States
Why December: the southernmost point of the continental United States stays warm all winter, no passport is needed for US travelers, and hurricane season is over.
Typical weather: highs around 78°F (25°C), lows around 68°F (20°C), and about 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, falling on only about three days in the month. It is shorts weather, with a light layer for breezy evenings.
Best things to do: drive the Overseas Highway from Key Largo, stopping for snorkeling on the reef, then watch the sunset from Mallory Square in Key West.
Practical note: the water feels cooler than in summer, so some swimmers like a thin wetsuit top for snorkeling. See our Key West travel guide, Florida Keys travel guide and United States travel guide.
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Why December: it is Europe’s easiest warm escape. The Canary Islands sit off the coast of Africa, a short flight from most European cities, and the sunny south of Tenerife stays mild all winter.
Typical weather: in the south, highs around 75°F (24°C) and lows around 62°F (17°C). December is the island’s wettest month, but that still means only about 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain on average, with plenty of sunshine. The north is cloudier and wetter.
Best things to do: beach time in the south, and a day in Teide National Park, where the cable car runs most of the way up Spain’s highest peak. High up it is cold, and the summit area sometimes gets snow in winter, so bring a warm jacket.
Practical note: the Teide cable car closes only on 25 December, and from 25 October to 31 December 2026 it runs 9:00–17:00 with the last ride up at 16:00; it can also close at short notice for weather, so keep the day flexible. See our Tenerife travel guide and Spain travel guide.
Cape Town, South Africa
Why December: it is early summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Cape Town’s rain falls mostly in winter, so December is dry, long-lit and sunny, which makes it ideal for mountains, beaches and wine country in one trip.
Typical weather: highs around 78°F (26°C), lows around 60°F (16°C), and only about 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain. It is one of the sunniest months of the year, though a strong southeasterly wind often blows.
Best things to do: ride the cableway up Table Mountain (or hike it), and drive down the peninsula to the penguins at Boulders Beach and the cliffs of Cape Point. Add a day in the vineyards of Stellenbosch.
Practical note: the cableway can close in bad weather or strong wind, so go on the first clear, calm day rather than saving it for later. The Atlantic-side water stays cold even in summer. See our Cape Town travel guide and South Africa travel guide.
Sun, nature and sightseeing
Guanacaste and the Pacific coast, Costa Rica
Why December: on the Pacific side, Costa Rica’s dry season runs from December to March, according to the national weather service. The green season’s rains have just ended, so the countryside is still lush while the beach days turn reliably sunny.
Typical weather: at Liberia, the main town of Guanacaste, highs are around 94°F (34°C) and lows around 63°F (17°C), with only about 0.5 inches (12 mm) of rain in the month. The Caribbean side works differently: it has no real dry season, and December is one of its wetter months.
Best things to do: surf or learn to surf at Tamarindo, then head south to the rainforest trails and beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where monkeys and sloths are easy to spot.
Practical note: tickets for Manuel Antonio and several other national parks are sold online in timed slots, so book a few days ahead in the holiday weeks. See our Tamarindo travel guide, Manuel Antonio National Park travel guide and Costa Rica travel guide.
Luxor, Egypt
Why December: Luxor is too hot for comfortable sightseeing for much of the year, but in December the temples and tombs are pleasant to explore all day.
Typical weather: warm, sunny days around 76°F (24°C) and cool desert nights around 47°F (9°C). Rain is almost unknown: the long-term December average is zero.
Best things to do: walk among the giant columns of Karnak Temple, then cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings. Many visitors start one morning with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the river and the temples.
Practical note: pack a warm layer for early starts and evenings, which surprise many visitors. A Nile cruise to Aswan pairs well with a Luxor stay. See our Luxor travel guide and Egypt travel guide.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Why December: after a fierce summer, Dubai’s winter is warm and bright, which makes beach days, outdoor dining and desert trips comfortable.
Typical weather: highs around 80°F (27°C), lows around 63°F (17°C), about 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain in the month, and lots of sunshine.
Best things to do: spend a day at the beach, go up the Burj Khalifa for the view, and take an evening desert trip to see the dunes at sunset.
Practical note: December evenings can feel cool, especially in the desert, so bring a sweater. See our Dubai travel guide, Abu Dhabi travel guide and United Arab Emirates travel guide.
Festive cities and snow
Vienna, Austria
Why December: Vienna does Christmas with style. The main Christmas market, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt in front of City Hall on the Rathausplatz, runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026, daily 10:00–22:00 (until 18:30 on 24 December), with an ice rink beside it.
Typical weather: cold and often gray, with highs around 39°F (4°C), lows around 31°F (0°C) and about 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain or snow in the month.
Best things to do: browse the market stalls with a mug of punch, warm up in a classic coffee house, and book a concert or an evening at the opera.
Practical note: smaller markets, such as Spittelberg and Karlsplatz, usually open from mid- to late November; check the Vienna Tourist Board for their 2026 dates. See our Vienna travel guide and Austria travel guide.
Nuremberg, Germany
Why December: the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of Germany’s best-known Christmas markets. In 2026 it opens on 27 November with an opening ceremony at 17:30 and runs until 24 December, daily 10:00–21:00 (10:00–14:00 on 24 December).
Typical weather: the December average temperature is about 35°F (1.5°C), so expect days just above freezing and frosty nights, with about 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain or snow and short, often cloudy days.
Best things to do: try Nuremberg’s small grilled sausages and its gingerbread at the market on the main square, then walk up to the Imperial Castle for views over the old town’s rooftops.
Practical note: weekends at the market are crowded, so visit on a weekday morning if you can. See our Nuremberg travel guide and Germany travel guide.
Prague, Czechia
Why December: Prague’s Old Town Square, with its towering Christmas tree in front of the Gothic Týn Church, is one of Europe’s most photographed Christmas scenes. The main markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square usually run from late November into early January; 2026 listings give 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.
Typical weather: cold, with highs around 37°F (3°C) and lows around 28°F (−2°C). It is fairly dry, with about 1 inch (26 mm) of rain or snow in the month.
Best things to do: see the astronomical clock strike the hour, cross Charles Bridge early in the morning before the crowds, and climb up to Prague Castle.
Practical note: Prague Castle’s buildings keep shorter winter hours and close on 24 December. See our Prague travel guide, Český Krumlov travel guide and Czechia travel guide.
Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland
Why December: if you want a white Christmas you can count on, go north. In Rovaniemi, on the edge of the Arctic Circle, snow usually arrives in November and stays until spring, and the long dark nights give you chances to see the northern lights.
Typical weather: highs around 23°F (−5°C) and lows around 13°F (−11°C), with about 2 inches (51 mm) of precipitation, nearly all of it snow. Daylight is very short around the winter solstice.
Best things to do: visit Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, which is open every day of the year, then go husky or reindeer sledding through the snowy forest.
Practical note: dress in layers with a warm hat, gloves and insulated boots. Night trains run from Helsinki, which saves a hotel night. See our Rovaniemi travel guide, Levi travel guide and Finland travel guide.
How to choose
- Beach and heat: Phuket, Cancún and Costa Rica’s Pacific coast are the warmest. Cape Town gives you summer with mountains and wine country.
- Mild, not hot: Tenerife and Key West are warm enough for the beach without the tropical heat.
- Sightseeing in the sun: Luxor and Dubai are dry and comfortable to explore all day.
- Christmas atmosphere: Vienna, Nuremberg and Prague. Vienna’s market opens earliest, in mid-November; Nuremberg’s ends on 24 December; Prague’s runs into January.
- Snow and the northern lights: Rovaniemi.
Whichever you choose, the weeks around Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive almost everywhere. If your dates are flexible, the first two weeks of December are usually calmer.
Plan your December trip
Once you have a place in mind, our free trip planner builds a day-by-day plan for your dates, travelers and budget from our guides. To see what the weather is usually like on your exact December dates, or the real forecast once you are within about nine days of the trip, open the destination weather tool.
Frequently asked questions
Where is warm in December?
Phuket, Cancún, Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and Cape Town all have typical December highs between about 78°F and 94°F (26–34°C). Key West, Tenerife, Dubai and Luxor are milder, with highs in the mid-70s to around 80°F (24–27°C). All of them are dry or fairly dry in December.
Where is the best place to go in Europe for warm weather in December?
The Canary Islands are the warmest part of Europe in December. In the south of Tenerife, typical highs are around 75°F (24°C) and lows around 62°F (17°C), with only about 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain in the month.
When do the Christmas markets open in 2026?
Vienna’s main market on the Rathausplatz runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026. Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt runs from 27 November to 24 December 2026. Prague’s main markets usually open in late November and run into early January; 2026 listings give 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. Check the official sites before you travel, as hours change on holidays.
Is December a good time to visit Mexico’s Caribbean coast?
Yes. The Atlantic hurricane season ends on 30 November, and Cancún’s typical December highs are around 85°F (29°C). Some rain still falls, about 3.8 inches (97 mm) in the month, mostly in short showers.
Where can I be sure of snow at Christmas?
Nowhere is guaranteed, but Finnish Lapland is the safest bet. In Rovaniemi, snow usually arrives in November and lasts until spring, and typical December highs are around 23°F (−5°C). Central European cities such as Vienna, Prague and Nuremberg hover around freezing, so a white Christmas there is possible but far from certain.