Comparison
Where to travel in December — warm dry-season cities, snow trips and Christmas markets
Eight December picks — warm dry-season cities, snow trips and Christmas markets — from climate normals and our guides, plus rainy, busy and closed spots.
Published
How to choose a December trip
December is when it gets properly cold in Korea. You can escape to the warmth, go looking for snow, or head for the Christmas atmosphere.
This article uses the 'best time to go' in each city guide and the December normals (average high, average low and rainfall) stored in our guides. Normals are averages over many years, so they don't tell you this year's weather, and the source agency and period differ by city. Bangkok and Bali use 1961–1990, an older period, so treat them as rough figures. Check the forecast before you go.
Temperatures are in °C and rainfall in mm. The sources are listed below; Frankfurt and Vienna have no normals in our guides, so they appear without figures.
- Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991–2020: Sapporo and Hakodate stations
- Met Office (UK), 1991–2020: London (Heathrow station)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, 1991–2020: Hong Kong (Hong Kong Observatory), Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang (Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration), Singapore (Meteorological Service Singapore, MSS)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, 1961–1990: Bangkok (Thai Meteorological Department, TMD), Bali (Denpasar; Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, BMKG)
Warm and fairly dry — Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong
Our Bangkok guide calls the November-February dry season the coolest and most comfortable time. The December normals are a high of 31.3°C, a low of 20.8°C and 10 mm of rain (WMO/TMD, 1961–1990).
In Ho Chi Minh City the December-April dry season has little rain, and December-February is slightly less hot. December has a high of 31.6°C, a low of 23.9°C and 41 mm of rain (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020).
Hong Kong is at its best in October-December, clear and pleasant. December has a high of 20.4°C, a low of 16.2°C and 28.8 mm of rain (WMO/Hong Kong Observatory, 1991–2020). It suits city walks and night views more than a hot beach trip.
For snow scenes — Sapporo and Hakodate
Sapporo is popular in December-February for snow scenes and winter festivals. The December normals are a high of 2°C, a low of -4°C and 114.5 mm of precipitation (JMA, 1991–2020). Our guide warns that sidewalks are icy and very slippery from December to March, so bring shoes with good grip. Hotels fill early and prices rise during winter festivals, so check the dates on the official site and book ahead.
In Hakodate, the Christmas Fantasy lights up the Bay Area in December. December has a high of 3.2°C, a low of -3.6°C and 94.6 mm of precipitation (JMA, 1991–2020). The Mt. Hakodate road closes to vehicles in winter, so use the ropeway or buses, and take care on Motomachi's steep, slippery slopes.
Christmas markets — Frankfurt, Vienna and London
Frankfurt's Christmas market runs from 23 November to 22 December 2026 (Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.), with over 230 stalls from the Römerberg to the Hauptwache. It ends on the 22nd, just before Christmas, so plan your dates around it. Goethe House is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December 2026 and 1 January 2027, and the Palmengarten on 24 and 31 December.
In Vienna, Christmas markets fill the city's squares from mid-November until Christmas. London's winter is grey with short days but has festive markets and lights. London's December normals are a high of 8.79°C, a low of 3.08°C and 57.05 mm of rain (Met Office, 1991–2020, Heathrow station). Rain is possible year-round, so pack an umbrella.
Think twice in December — the rainy places
In central Vietnam, Da Nang's rainy season runs September to December. Its December rainfall normal is 272 mm (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020). Nha Trang's rainy season also runs roughly September to December, and island trips and boats can be cancelled. Koh Samui, on the Gulf of Thailand, is wettest in October-December, and boats can be cancelled.
Bali's wet season runs November to March, with the heaviest rain around December to February. Its December rainfall is 276 mm (WMO/BMKG, 1961–1990, Denpasar). Singapore's November to January monsoon brings frequent showers, and its December rainfall is 331.9 mm (WMO/MSS, 1991–2020).
Year-end crowds and closures
Year-end pushes up room prices in popular cities. According to our guides, Tokyo and Osaka are crowded and pricey over New Year, and Phuket's December-January peak season brings its highest prices. Singapore's hotel rates spike at year-end, and Manila's traffic is heavy in the Christmas season.
Check closures too. Himeji Castle is closed on 29-30 December, and Warsaw's Wilanów Palace is closed from 21 December 2026 to 31 January 2027.
At a glance — December by city
A quick December summary. Figures are 'high/low temperature and rainfall'; sources and periods differ, so the comparison is rough.
- Warm and fairly dry: Bangkok 31.3/20.8°C, 10 mm (WMO/TMD, 1961–1990); Ho Chi Minh City 31.6/23.9°C, 41 mm (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020); Hong Kong 20.4/16.2°C, 28.8 mm (WMO/Hong Kong Observatory, 1991–2020)
- Snow and winter festivals: Sapporo 2/-4°C, Hakodate 3.2/-3.6°C (both JMA, 1991–2020)
- Christmas markets: Frankfurt (23 November-22 December 2026), Vienna (mid-November to Christmas), London
- Usually rainy: Da Nang, Nha Trang, Koh Samui, Bali, Singapore
- Crowded and pricey: Tokyo and Osaka (New Year), Phuket (December-January peak), Singapore (year-end)
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FAQ
Where is warm and fairly dry in December?
Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City are in their dry seasons. December rainfall normals are 10 mm in Bangkok (WMO/TMD, 1961–1990) and 41 mm in Ho Chi Minh City (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020). Bangkok's figure comes from an older period, so treat it as rough.
What about Da Nang and Bali in December?
Both are in their rainy seasons. December rainfall normals are high: 272 mm in Da Nang (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020) and 276 mm in Bali (Denpasar; WMO/BMKG, 1961–1990).
Until when does Frankfurt's Christmas market run?
From 23 November to 22 December 2026. It doesn't run through Christmas Day, so plan your dates accordingly.
How cold is Sapporo in December?
The December normals are a high of 2°C and a low of -4°C (JMA, 1991–2020). Streets get icy, so bring shoes with good grip, gloves and a hat.
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