The short answer
- Month
- December
- Verdict
- Very good
- North (Delhi, Rajasthan)
- Cool days around 22°C; cold, foggy mornings
- South (Kerala, Goa)
- Warm and dry, around 32°C
- Crowds and prices
- Very busy at Christmas and New Year
December is a beautiful month in India, cool in the north and warm in the south. It is also the busiest, with Christmas and New Year bringing peak prices.
The north can be foggy in the mornings, and Delhi's air quality is often poor.
Where to go in December
- Goa: Peak beach season, with lively Christmas and New Year celebrations.
- Kerala: Dry and warm, with Christmas in Kochi's old churches.
- Rajasthan: Sunny days and cold desert nights.
- Nagaland: The Hornbill Festival in the first ten days of the month.
What to avoid in December
- Last minute bookings over Christmas and New Year.
- Tight connections in the north, where fog delays trains and flights.
Festivals in December
- Hornbill Festival (1 to 10 December): Nagaland's tribes gather near Kohima for dance, music and food.
- Christmas: Celebrated warmly in Goa, Kerala and Kolkata.
Weather in December
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with December highlighted. Compare it with the months either side if your dates are flexible.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | DelhiAgra is similar | Jaipurmost of Rajasthan | Varanasi | KochiKerala coast | Goa | LehLadakh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20° / 8°19 mm | 22° / 8°8 mm | 23° / 9°18 mm | 32° / 23°20 mm | 32° / 20°1 mm | -2° / -14°10 mm |
| Feb | 24° / 11°21 mm | 26° / 11°7 mm | 27° / 12°18 mm | 32° / 24°25 mm | 32° / 21°0 mm | 1° / -12°8 mm |
| Mar | 30° / 15°17 mm | 32° / 16°4 mm | 33° / 17°9 mm | 33° / 25°40 mm | 32° / 23°1 mm | 6° / -6°10 mm |
| Apr | 36° / 21°16 mm | 37° / 22°5 mm | 39° / 22°6 mm | 33° / 26°130 mm | 33° / 25°10 mm | 12° / -1°7 mm |
| May | 40° / 26°30 mm | 40° / 26°15 mm | 40° / 26°15 mm | 32° / 26°330 mm | 33° / 27°100 mm | 17° / 3°7 mm |
| Jun | 39° / 28°74 mm | 39° / 27°60 mm | 38° / 28°105 mm | 29° / 24°750 mm | 30° / 25°900 mm | 22° / 7°4 mm |
| Jul | 35° / 28°210 mm | 34° / 26°190 mm | 33° / 27°290 mm | 29° / 24°600 mm | 29° / 24°1000 mm | 25° / 11°15 mm |
| Aug | 34° / 27°225 mm | 32° / 25°200 mm | 32° / 26°300 mm | 29° / 24°380 mm | 29° / 24°600 mm | 24° / 10°15 mm |
| Sep | 34° / 25°125 mm | 33° / 24°80 mm | 32° / 25°230 mm | 30° / 24°300 mm | 30° / 24°270 mm | 21° / 6°9 mm |
| Oct | 33° / 19°15 mm | 33° / 19°15 mm | 32° / 21°40 mm | 30° / 24°340 mm | 32° / 24°120 mm | 14° / -1°4 mm |
| Nov | 28° / 13°6 mm | 29° / 13°4 mm | 29° / 14°10 mm | 31° / 24°170 mm | 33° / 23°30 mm | 7° / -7°3 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 9°8 mm | 24° / 9°3 mm | 25° / 10°5 mm | 32° / 23°40 mm | 33° / 21°5 mm | 1° / -11°5 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 14 day trip for December
Our suggestion for December: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, then Kerala or Goa. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates.
Tip: Christmas to New Year is the most expensive week of the year. Travel in the first half of December for the same weather at lower prices.
Want a December trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 14 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about November or January? See India in November and India in January, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit India.
Rather have a trip to India made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit India?
Yes. It is cool and dry in the north and warm in the south, but the Christmas weeks are busy and expensive.
Is Goa good in December?
Yes, it is peak season, sunny and dry, with lively Christmas and New Year parties. Book early.
Sources we checked
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