December splits the travel world in two. The Northern Hemisphere goes cold and festive — Christmas markets, snow and Northern Lights — while the Southern Hemisphere swings into peak summer, and a band of winter-sun escapes across the tropics and the Gulf hits its warm, dry best. There is no single ‘best’ December trip; there are four completely different ones, and the right pick depends on whether you want festive, snowy, sunny or summery.
The one universal rule is timing: the week before Christmas through New Year is the year’s most expensive and crowded travel window almost everywhere, so early December (before roughly the 18th) is dramatically better value. Below are ten destinations covering all four December moods, with the weather and budget for each.
| Destination | Weather | Crowds | Daily budget | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna & Central Europe | 0-5°C, festive | High (markets) | $110-180 | Christmas markets |
| Lapland, Finland | -5 to -15°C, snow | Building | $150-260 | Northern Lights, snow, Santa |
| Thailand | 28-32°C, dry | Peak | $45-80 | Winter-sun islands |
| Maldives | 28-31°C, dry | Peak | $250+ | Honeymoon, diving |
| Dubai & UAE | 22-27°C, perfect | Peak | $120-220 | Sun + festive city |
| Cape Town, South Africa | 20-27°C, summer | Peak (domestic) | $90-160 | Beaches, wine, summer |
| Sydney & Australia | 22-28°C, summer | Peak | $120-200 | Beaches + NYE fireworks |
| Patagonia (Chile/Argentina) | 10-20°C, long days | Peak trekking | $120-220 | Summer hiking |
| Tenerife & Canary Islands | 20-24°C, mild | High | $70-130 | Winter sun, short-haul (EU) |
| New York City, USA | 0-7°C, festive | High | $200-300 | Holiday lights, markets |
1. Vienna & Central Europe — the classic Christmas markets
For festive Europe, the Vienna-Salzburg-Prague-Budapest belt is hard to beat in December: glowing Christkindlmarkt stalls, mulled wine, and grand architecture dusted with occasional snow at 0-5°C. Markets run from late November until Christmas Eve (some close on the 24th), so early-to-mid December is the sweet spot before prices peak. Budget $110-180/day. Pack for real cold and short daylight, and consider a rail loop to hit two or three cities.
2. Lapland, Finland — Northern Lights, snow and Santa
December turns Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi, Saariselkä) into a genuine winter wonderland: reliable snow, husky and reindeer sledding, glass igloos, the official Santa village, and strong aurora odds on clear nights. It is deeply cold (-5 to -15°C) with very short days, so trips are built around a few key activities. It is not cheap ($150-260/day) and the pre-Christmas week books out early. Rent proper thermal gear locally.
3. Thailand — peak winter-sun season
December is the heart of Thailand’s dry season: hot, sunny 28-32°C days, calm seas, and the islands at their postcard best. It is the country’s peak tourist month, so book flights, ferries and island accommodation well ahead and expect higher prices ($45-80/day, more on the islands over the holidays). Bangkok is pleasantly cool by its standards. For fewer crowds, favour early December or the less-developed islands like Ko Lanta.
4. Maldives — dry-season paradise
December is prime Maldives: the dry northeast-monsoon season brings 28-31°C days, calm clear water and excellent diving and snorkelling visibility. It is the honeymoon and festive-escape peak, so it is the most expensive time to go ($250+/day, far more over Christmas and New Year) — but the weather is as reliable as it gets. Book resorts and seaplane transfers months ahead for holiday dates; early December is marginally better value.
5. Dubai & the UAE — sun plus a festive city
December is one of the UAE’s best months: warm, dry 22-27°C days perfect for the beach by day and the city by night, plus the Dubai Shopping Festival build-up and lavish festive displays. It is peak season, so rates climb ($120-220/day) and the New Year fireworks are a global spectacle that sells out. Combine beach, desert safari and skyline; the sea is cool but swimmable.
6. Cape Town, South Africa — peak summer down south
December is high summer in Cape Town: long 20-27°C days, Camps Bay and the beaches in full swing, the Winelands buzzing, and Table Mountain at its best (wind permitting). It is the domestic-holiday peak, so book beaches, restaurants and the Winelands ahead and expect higher prices ($90-160/day). It is an outstanding festive-season alternative for sun-seekers who want a big, world-class city with it.
7. Sydney & Australia — summer and the world’s NYE
December is peak Australian summer: Bondi and the harbour beaches at their best (22-28°C), and Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are among the planet’s biggest. It is a long-haul commitment and the holiday peak (budget $120-200/day, much more for NYE harbour spots), so book early. Pair Sydney with the Great Ocean Road or the Whitsundays. Sun is intense — December is high UV down under.
8. Patagonia — peak summer trekking
For hikers, December is Patagonia’s prime window: the longest daylight of the year, milder 10-20°C temperatures, and the Torres del Paine and Fitz Roy trails fully open. It is peak season, so refugios and the W/O treks book out far ahead, and the famous wind is at its strongest. Budget $120-220/day. It is a serious trip to reach, but December offers the most reliable conditions for the icons.
9. Tenerife & the Canary Islands — Europe’s winter sun
For a short-haul winter-sun fix (from Europe), the Canary Islands deliver 20-24°C and sunshine while the mainland freezes. Tenerife pairs beaches with Mount Teide, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote add dunes and volcanic scenery. It is a popular festive-escape, so December is busy and prices firm ($70-130/day), but the reliable warmth four hours from northern Europe is the draw. The Atlantic is cool but swimmable.
10. New York City, USA — the festive city at its peak
December is New York at its most magical: the Rockefeller tree, holiday windows, ice skating, markets and lights, with crisp 0-7°C days and the chance of snow. It is also one of the busiest, priciest months ($200-300/day, spiking around Christmas and NYE), so book hotels and shows early and expect crowds at the marquee sights. Early December is calmer than the Christmas-to-New-Year crush.
When to book: December’s golden rule is to travel before roughly the 18th if you can — the Christmas-to-New-Year week is the year’s most expensive and crowded window worldwide, and marquee experiences (Maldives resorts, Sydney NYE, Lapland pre-Christmas, NYC hotels) sell out months ahead. Decide your December mood first — festive, snowy, sunny or summery — then book early. See our November and January guides for the shoulders on either side.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.