Things to Do in United States in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in United States
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Holiday atmosphere transforms major cities into something genuinely special - New York's window displays and Rockefeller Center ice skating, Chicago's Christkindlmarket running through December 24th, and DC's National Christmas Tree lighting create experiences you simply cannot get any other month. The decorations go up right after Thanksgiving and cities invest serious money into making December memorable.
- Winter sports hit peak conditions in Colorado, Utah, and Vermont by mid-December. Resorts like Vail and Park City typically have 60-90cm (24-36in) of base by December 15th, and you are skiing before the Christmas week price surge if you visit December 1-18th. Lift ticket prices run $140-180 versus $220+ during Christmas week.
- Southern destinations offer the best weather compromise - Miami averages 24°C (75°F) with minimal humidity compared to summer's oppressive heat, and you are avoiding hurricane season entirely. San Diego stays around 19°C (66°F) with virtually no rain. This is genuinely the sweet spot for beach destinations before spring break crowds arrive.
- National Parks in the Southwest become actually pleasant after summer's brutal heat - Grand Canyon averages 7°C (45°F) at the rim with occasional snow that makes for stunning photos, and you will find 75% fewer visitors than peak summer months. Zion and Joshua Tree are similarly uncrowded, and daytime temps in the 10-16°C (50-61°F) range make hiking comfortable rather than dangerous.
Considerations
- December 20-31 brings the year's most expensive travel period with hotel rates doubling or tripling in popular destinations. A Manhattan hotel that costs $250 in early December jumps to $550+ during Christmas week. Flights booked less than 6 weeks out typically cost 40-60% more than early December dates, and rental cars become genuinely scarce in ski towns.
- Weather variability makes packing complicated since you might experience three different climates in one trip. A Chicago-to-Miami itinerary means packing for -5°C (23°F) and 24°C (75°F) in the same suitcase. Winter storms can disrupt travel plans with minimal warning, particularly for flights connecting through Chicago, Denver, or Northeast hubs where December averages 2-3 significant weather delays.
- Daylight hours become surprisingly limited in northern states - Seattle gets dark by 4:20pm, Boston by 4:15pm, making outdoor sightseeing feel rushed. You are essentially losing 2-3 hours of usable daylight compared to summer, which matters more than people expect when planning daily itineraries. Southern California and Florida maintain more reasonable sunset times around 5:00-5:30pm.
Best Activities in December
New York City Holiday Experience
December transforms NYC into the quintessential American holiday destination. The Rockefeller Center tree lighting happens early December with the ice rink operating through early January. Fifth Avenue department store windows become elaborate productions that locals actually make time to see. Bryant Park's Winter Village runs through early January with 170+ vendor stalls and free ice skating. The weather hovers around 4-7°C (39-45°F), cold enough for the festive atmosphere but rarely brutally freezing. Visit December 1-18 to avoid the Christmas week tourist surge when Times Square becomes genuinely unpleasant. Broadway shows offer more availability early month, and restaurant reservations become possible without 3-week advance planning.
Colorado Ski Resort Access
December offers the best value skiing before holiday pricing kicks in. Resorts around Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen typically have 60-100cm (24-40in) base depth by mid-December with consistent snowmaking when natural snow lags. Temperatures run -8 to -1°C (18-30°F) at base elevations, cold enough for quality snow but not the brutal -20°C (-4°F) January conditions. December 1-18 sees 40% fewer skiers than Christmas week, meaning 10-minute lift lines instead of 45-minute waits. Afternoon snow showers happen about 30% of December days but rarely disrupt skiing.
Miami and South Florida Beach Time
December delivers South Florida's genuinely best beach weather - 24°C (75°F) days with 60% humidity instead of summer's oppressive 32°C (90°F) with 85% humidity and daily thunderstorms. Ocean temperature stays around 24°C (75°F), comfortable for swimming without wetsuit. Art Basel Miami Beach runs early December, transforming Wynwood and Design District into massive art installations. South Beach becomes walkable rather than miserably hot. Rain happens maybe 6-7 days per month, usually brief afternoon showers rather than all-day events. UV index still hits 7-8, so sunscreen matters despite cooler temps.
Grand Canyon Winter Hiking
December transforms the Grand Canyon into a completely different experience with occasional snow dusting the rim, creating stunning photo opportunities against red rock. Daytime temps at South Rim average 4-7°C (39-45°F) with nighttime drops to -8°C (-18°F). You will encounter 75% fewer tourists than summer months when trails become uncomfortably crowded. Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail remain accessible though potentially icy - micro-spikes recommended for early morning hikes. The low-angle December sun creates dramatically different lighting than harsh summer conditions, and you are hiking in comfortable temps rather than dangerous 38°C (100°F) summer heat.
New Orleans Holiday Food Tours
December brings New Orleans' most comfortable weather for walking food tours - 18°C (64°F) days with 65% humidity versus summer's brutal 32°C (90°F) with 90% humidity. The city goes all-in on Christmas decorations in the French Quarter and Garden District, with Celebration in the Oaks running through early January in City Park. December means comfortable temperatures for beignets at Cafe Du Monde without sweating through your shirt, and walking the 2-3km (1.2-1.9 miles) typical food tour routes becomes pleasant rather than exhausting. Reveillon dinners at traditional Creole restaurants offer special multi-course menus throughout December, a tradition dating to the 1800s.
San Diego Coastal Activities
San Diego delivers the country's most reliable December weather with 19°C (66°F) days, minimal humidity, and maybe 4-5 rain days all month. Ocean temp drops to 16-17°C (61-63°F), requiring wetsuit for surfing but still manageable. La Jolla Cove sea lions are active year-round, and December crowds drop significantly after Thanksgiving. Balboa Park museums become more appealing than summer when outdoor activities dominate. Sunset Cliffs and Torrey Pines State Reserve offer comfortable hiking temps in the 16-19°C (61-66°F) range. December brings some of the year's best surf conditions with northwest swells, though water temperature requires 3/2mm wetsuit minimum.
December Events & Festivals
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The iconic NYC tree lighting ceremony happens early December, typically first Wednesday after Thanksgiving. The 23-27m (75-90ft) Norway Spruce gets decorated with 50,000+ LED lights and the Swarovski star. The ceremony itself draws massive crowds making in-person attendance challenging, but the tree remains lit through early January. The ice rink below operates November through April with December being peak season for that classic New York holiday moment.
Art Basel Miami Beach
The Western Hemisphere's most significant contemporary art fair transforms Miami Beach for one week in early December. Over 250 galleries exhibit at the Miami Beach Convention Center, while satellite fairs and installations take over Wynwood, Design District, and South Beach. Street art, performances, and parties create a week-long cultural takeover. Hotel rates surge 60-80% during the event, and South Beach restaurants become nearly impossible to access without reservations.
National Christmas Tree Lighting
Washington DC's official holiday kickoff happens early December on the Ellipse south of the White House. The ceremony includes musical performances and the President lighting the national tree. The Pathway of Peace surrounding the main tree features smaller trees representing all US states and territories. The trees remain lit nightly through New Year's Day. The ceremony itself requires advance tickets through lottery system, but viewing the lit trees afterward is free and accessible.