The best places to visit in India in December are the Himalayan hill stations for snow (Manali, Shimla, Gulmarg), Goa and Kerala for warm, dry beach weather, and Rajasthan and the Rann of Kutch for sunny desert days. December is dry across most of India. The first three weeks are quiet and cheaper; from about 20 December to the New Year, every popular place is at its busiest and most expensive.
Quick answer
- For snow: Solang and Sissu near Manali, Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla, and Gulmarg in Kashmir (our Kashmir in December guide has the details). Snow in Manali or Shimla town itself is possible but not guaranteed in December.
- For beaches: Goa (about 33°C by day, 21°C at night, almost no rain) and the Kerala coast (about 31°C / 23°C).
- For forts, deserts and festivals: Jaipur and Jaisalmer, the Rann Utsav in Kutch (1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027) and the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland (1–10 December 2026).
- Cheapest weeks: 1–19 December. Busiest: 20 December to 5 January, with long weekends on 25–27 December and 1–3 January 2027.
Planning a December trip? Tell us your dates, starting city and how many of you are travelling. We will suggest the place that fits, a day-by-day plan and a clear price. Nothing is held until you approve.
Which places in India are best in December 2026?
December is the one month when almost the whole country is dry at once. The north-east monsoon has largely finished with south India, the western Himalaya is cold but mostly clear, and the plains are pleasant by day. The table compares the places we are asked about most, using long-term December averages. Hill-station figures are IMD 1991–2020 normals; the plains and coast figures are IMD/WMO normals for 1961–1990, so treat them as a guide to what the month feels like, not a forecast.
| Place | December day / night | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manali | 13.5°C / 0.3°C | Snow at Solang and Sissu, honeymoons, families | Christmas–New Year traffic towards the Atal Tunnel |
| Shimla | 12°C / 4°C | Short breaks from Delhi and Chandigarh, Kufri snow | Packed hotels 24 December to 1 January |
| Srinagar and Gulmarg | Srinagar about 8°C / −2°C | The most reliable December snow, at Gulmarg | Chillai Kalan, the coldest 40 days, starts 21 December |
| Goa | 33°C / 21°C | Beaches, Christmas mass, New Year parties | Peak prices and full flights from about 20 December |
| Kerala coast | 31°C / 23°C | Backwaters, Munnar tea hills, Ayurveda | Humid; Munnar nights are much cooler |
| Jaipur | 25°C / 9°C | Forts and palaces in comfortable sun | Cold early mornings; carry a jacket |
| Jaisalmer | 26°C / 11°C | Desert camps, camel rides, starry nights | Dunes at Sam and Kanoi now close to tourists after sunset |
| Leh, Ladakh | Below freezing at night | Quiet monasteries, winter landscapes | Fly in only; the Manali–Leh road is shut |
Sources: IMD normals for Manali and Shimla as used in our month guides; IMD/WMO normals via the World Weather Information Service for Srinagar, Panaji, Thiruvananthapuram and Jaipur; IMD 1991–2020 normals for Jaisalmer city. Checked 18–19 October 2026.
Where can you see snow in India in December?
If snow is the reason for the trip, go high, not just north. Town-level snow in December is a bonus; the places below are where snow is most likely to be lying when you arrive.
Manali: Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu
Manali averages about 13.5°C by day and 0.3°C at night in December, with only around two rainy days in the month, and in 2025 the town stayed dry until the last days of December. The dependable snow is higher: at Solang Valley, around the south portal of the Atal Tunnel, and at Sissu on the Lahaul side of the tunnel. The tunnel normally stays open in winter but traffic is held after heavy snowfall until the approaches are cleared. Our Manali in December guide goes week by week. For a family trip in the snow, the Shimla Manali tour package from Chandigarh starts from ₹12,499 per person (twin sharing, deluxe hotels, off-season rate) as published on the package page.
Shimla: Kufri and Narkanda
Shimla averages about 12°C by day and 4°C at night in December. The long-term average is just over one snow day in town for the whole month, against roughly four in January, so plan your snow day at Kufri (16–20 km up the road) or Narkanda, higher still. One change this year: Northern Railway has cancelled the Kalka–Shimla toy train’s regular services from Kalka until 30 November 2026 for track repairs, so check our toy train status update before you build December around it (a Kalka to Shimla taxi covers the same climb by road). The Shimla in December guide has a four-day plan.
Gulmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir
Gulmarg usually gets its first proper snow in November, which makes it the most reliable December snow destination in the country. Srinagar averages about 8°C by day and −2°C at night, and Chillai Kalan, the 40 hardest days of the Kashmir winter, begins on 21 December. Expect frozen pipes in older houseboats and the occasional day when snow shuts the Gulmarg gondola. Our Kashmir tour packages run through the winter with heated hotels.
Ladakh, for the adventurous
Leh is open in winter, but only by air: the Manali–Leh road is shut by snow, and on 15 October 2026 the Lahaul-Spiti administration had already stopped vehicles heading towards Baralacha La. Nights are far below freezing and acclimatisation matters even more than in summer. Read Ladakh in winter before you book a flight.
Which beach destinations are best in December?
Goa is at its best: about 33°C by day and 21°C at night, with almost no rain. The catch is the second half of the month. From about 20 December to 1 January Goa has its highest hotel rates and fullest flights of the year, built around Christmas mass in the old churches and New Year’s Eve on the northern beaches. If you can go in the first two weeks, you get the same weather for much less. See our Goa tour packages for family, honeymoon and week-long North-and-South plans.
Kerala runs at about 31°C by day and 23°C at night on the coast. The north-east monsoon is tailing off, so a short shower is possible in the first days of the month, but December is one of the best times for an Alleppey houseboat and for Munnar, where nights are much cooler than on the coast. Our Kerala tour packages combine Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and the backwaters.
The Andaman Islands are also in season (Port Blair about 29°C / 22°C), with calm seas for diving and snorkelling. Book ferries and flights early for the Christmas fortnight.
Is Rajasthan good in December?
Yes. December and January are Rajasthan’s most comfortable months for sightseeing. Jaipur averages about 25°C by day and 9°C at night, so fort walks at Amer and Nahargarh are pleasant all afternoon. Jaisalmer averages about 26°C / 11°C in the city and feels colder on the open dunes at night, which is the best time for a desert camp. One rule is new this season: since 13 October 2026 the Rajasthan Forest Department has closed the designated dunes at Sam and Kanoi to tourists after sunset, so camel rides end when the sun goes down; camps and evening shows carry on. Our Jaisalmer desert camp guide explains how to plan around it, and our Rajasthan tour packages cover Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
Next door in Gujarat, the white salt desert of Kutch is at its best now. The Rann Utsav tent city at Dhordo runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 (dates announced by the operator in July 2026; if you can go earlier, see our best places to visit in November in India), and nights on the Rann around the full moon are the ones people book first.
What festivals and events are on in December 2026?
- Hornbill Festival, Nagaland, 1–10 December 2026 at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, near Kohima. Kohima averages about 18°C by day and 9°C at night; book stays early, because Kohima has limited rooms.
- Rann Utsav, Kutch, all month (season 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027).
- Christmas, Friday 25 December: midnight mass in Goa’s churches and Shimla’s Christ Church on the Ridge.
- Chillai Kalan, Kashmir, from 21 December: the start of deep winter and the best odds of fresh snow in Gulmarg.
- Jim Corbett’s Dhikala zone normally opens for the winter season on 15 November, so December safaris and forest-lodge stays are possible; our Den of Tigers Corbett package is a 2-night, 3-day trip.
- New Year’s Eve, Thursday 31 December: the busiest night of the year in Manali, Shimla and Goa. Expect traffic plans and possible restrictions on the roads into Manali and Shimla.
When are the December 2026 long weekends, and when are prices lowest?
Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on a Friday this year, which creates two long weekends: 25–27 December and 1–3 January 2027. Take four leave days (28–31 December) and you get nine days away from Saturday 26 December to Sunday 3 January. The flip side is that everyone else has the same idea, and late-December fog regularly delays early-morning flights and trains across north India, so keep the first day of any trip light.
Prices follow the calendar. On our Himachal rate cards, 1 November to 19 December is the off-season band, and 20 December to 5 January is peak season, priced 25% above the off-season rate. That makes 7–19 December the best-value window of the winter: the weather is the same, the roads are calm and Sissu often already has snow. Our Christmas and New Year Manali packages page covers the peak fortnight in detail.
| Week | Crowds and prices | Good choice |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 December | Quiet, off-season rates | Hornbill Festival, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan |
| 11–19 December | Still off-season; best value in the hills | Manali and Shimla snow trips, honeymoons |
| 20–27 December | Peak; Christmas long weekend | Book by early November; Kashmir for snow |
| 28 December – 3 January | Busiest week of the year everywhere | Only with confirmed hotels; avoid driving on 31 December evening |
Which December trips can you book with Suzu Travels?
We are a Himachal-based operator, so the hills are where we know every road and hotel; we also run trips across India with our own ground partners. The Himachal rates below are the “from” prices published on each package page today: per person, twin sharing, deluxe hotels, off-season band (valid to 19 December).
- Kullu Manali honeymoon tour, 5 days / 4 nights: from ₹12,999 per person. Manali, Solang, Kullu and Manikaran at an easy pace.
- Shimla Manali from Chandigarh, 6 days / 5 nights: from ₹12,499 per person.
- Shimla Manali from Delhi, 6 days / 5 nights: from ₹14,499 per person.
- Incredible Himachal from Delhi, 9 days / 8 nights: from ₹18,999 per person, for the long Christmas-to-New-Year break.
- Kashmir, Goa, Kerala and Rajasthan: priced to your dates and hotel category. Send your dates and we quote the same day.
Sample rates, not live availability. December hotel space in Manali, Shimla, Gulmarg and Goa is tightest from 20 December, so send dates early and we will confirm what is genuinely open.
What does a good 6-day December plan look like?
This is the shape we use most for families in the off-season window, starting and ending in Chandigarh (for example, Monday 14 to Saturday 19 December 2026):
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla (about 115 km). Evening on the Ridge and Mall Road.
- Day 2: Kufri for the first snow of the trip, then Jakhu Temple.
- Day 3: Shimla to Manali through Mandi and the Kullu valley, a full travel day.
- Day 4: Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, weather permitting. Snow suits can be hired in Manali; see our igloo stay in Manali page if you want a night in the snow.
- Day 5: Hadimba Temple, Vashisht hot springs, Old Manali and Naggar.
- Day 6: Manali to Chandigarh, leaving early to beat the evening traffic.
What should you pack for India in December?
- For the hills: thermal innerwear, a fleece and a windproof down jacket, woollen cap, gloves, warm socks and shoes with grip. Nights in Manali and Gulmarg are at or below freezing.
- For Rajasthan and the north Indian plains: light layers for the day and a proper jacket for early mornings and desert nights.
- For Goa and Kerala: summer clothes, sunscreen and something modest for church and temple visits.
- Everywhere: ID for every adult (hotels and some entry points ask for it), some cash, and travel time built in for fog delays in north India.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best place to visit in India in December?
It depends on what you want. For snow, Manali (Solang and Sissu) or Gulmarg. For beaches, Goa or Kerala. For sightseeing in sunshine, Rajasthan. For a festival, the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland from 1 to 10 December 2026. If you can travel before 20 December, any of them is quieter and cheaper than in Christmas week.
Where can I see snowfall in India in December?
Gulmarg in Kashmir is the most reliable. In Himachal, snow usually lies at Solang Valley and Sissu near Manali, and at Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla. Snow in Manali or Shimla town is possible in December but not guaranteed; in 2025 Manali town stayed dry until the last days of the month.
Is December a good time for a honeymoon in India?
Yes. Manali, Gulmarg, Goa and Kerala are all in season. Couples who want snow without crowds should go to Manali between 7 and 19 December, when Himachal rates are in the off-season band; our Kullu Manali honeymoon tour starts from ₹12,999 per person, twin sharing, as published on the package page.
Is Goa crowded in December?
The first half of December is comfortable. From about 20 December to 1 January Goa has its busiest fortnight of the year, with the highest hotel rates and full flights around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If your dates are flexible, the first two weeks give the same dry, sunny weather for much less.
When are the long weekends in December 2026?
Christmas falls on Friday 25 December 2026, giving a long weekend from 25 to 27 December, and New Year’s Day falls on Friday 1 January 2027, giving another from 1 to 3 January. With four leave days from 28 to 31 December, you can be away for nine days from 26 December to 3 January.
Is Kashmir safe and open to visit in December?
Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam receive tourists through the winter, and December is the start of the snow season. Expect nights below freezing and occasional road or gondola closures after heavy snow. Check current government travel advisories for your nationality before you book, and keep a spare day in the plan.
Want December sorted before the Christmas rush? Send your dates, starting city and group size. You get a day-by-day plan and a clear price from a local team in Himachal, registered with HP Tourism as a travel agent (see our certificates).
Sources
- India Meteorological Department: 1991–2020 climatological normals for Manali, Shimla and Jaisalmer; World Weather Information Service (IMD/WMO 1961–1990 normals) for Srinagar, Panaji, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Port Blair and Kohima, via Current Results, checked 19 October 2026
- Rann Utsav Tent City 2026–27 season dates: Travel Turtle and Safari India, both 22 July 2026
- Hornbill Festival 2026 dates and venue: Time Out India, 16 September 2026
- Sam and Kanoi sunset closure: Rajasthan Forest Department order reported 13 October 2026
- Kalka–Shimla train cancellations to 30 November 2026: Northern Railway, as reported 15 October 2026
- Lahaul pass closures: PTI report from Shimla, 15 October 2026
- Package rates and season bands: as published on each linked Suzu Travels package page, checked 19 October 2026
