Best Places to Visit in December
Christmas markets in the north, peak summer in the south
December splits sharply between two very different experiences. Across the Northern Hemisphere, it's the heart of the festive season — Christmas markets fill city squares across Germany, Austria and much of Europe, ski season ramps up toward its Christmas/New Year peak, and short, cold days set in. South of the equator, December is the opposite: peak summer, with Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Brazil all entering their busiest, most expensive beach season, capped by major New Year's Eve celebrations (Sydney Harbour and Rio's Copacabana among the most famous). The final week of December, spanning Christmas through New Year, is one of the single most expensive travel windows anywhere in the world, regardless of hemisphere or destination.
Good to Know About December
- The week spanning Christmas through New Year is peak pricing almost everywhere on Earth simultaneously — one of the only travel windows where hemisphere doesn't create an obvious cheap alternative.
- European Christmas markets typically run from late November through December 24, concentrated in Germany, Austria and parts of Central Europe.
- Southern Hemisphere summer destinations (Australia, South Africa, South America) see their single busiest, most expensive period of the entire year in late December, driven by both the season and local summer-holiday travel.
Destinations at Their Peak in December
Thailand
32°C avg high · 6mm rain
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Mexico
22°C avg high · 5mm rain
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New Zealand
22°C avg high · 95mm rain
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India
23°C avg high · 9mm rain
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Philippines
31°C avg high · 100mm rain
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Pakistan
21°C avg high · 14mm rain
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Egypt
21°C avg high · 11mm rain
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Colombia
20°C avg high · 50mm rain
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South Africa
27°C avg high · 11mm rain
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Australia
26°C avg high · 65mm rain
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Argentina
29°C avg high · 125mm rain
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Brazil
30°C avg high · 135mm rain
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Austria
4°C avg high · 45mm rain
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Sri Lanka
31°C avg high · 174mm rain
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Dubai
27°C avg high · 15mm rain
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Cambodia
30°C avg high · 45mm rain
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Cuba
27°C avg high · 60mm rain
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Ethiopia
23°C avg high · 7mm rain
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Maldives
30°C avg high · 215mm rain
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Myanmar
32°C avg high · 5mm rain
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Taiwan
21°C avg high · 95mm rain
Full timing guideGood Value in December (Shoulder Season)
Not at their absolute peak, but a solid weather-to-price balance this month.
Events Happening in December
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December an expensive time to travel?
The final week specifically (Christmas through New Year) is one of the most expensive windows of the year almost everywhere; earlier December is more moderate, particularly before Christmas markets and ski season hit their own peaks.
Where can I find Christmas markets?
Germany and Austria have the most famous and extensive Christmas market traditions, though most Central and Northern European cities run some version from late November through December 24.
Is December a good time for a Southern Hemisphere beach trip?
Yes, weather-wise — it's peak summer in Australia, South Africa and South America — but expect the year's highest prices and biggest crowds, especially around the New Year holiday itself.