Things to Do in Mexico City in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Peak Season · Premium Pricing
December Weather in Mexico City
Long-run averages for December in Mexico City
72°F (22°C)
High Temp
47°F (8°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
58%
Humidity
1
Rainy Days
8
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Very high UV on sunny days: use sunscreen and seek shade at midday
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December is the driest month in Mexico City. Skies stay a clear, high-altitude cerulean blue from sunrise to sunset. You get unobstructed views of the volcanoes. Miss them in the summer haze.
- + The crisp, cool evenings suit the street food scene well. Steam rises from a comal of crisping carnitas at a puesto in Roma Norte. It feels warming. You won't sweat into your tacos.
- + It's the cultural peak season for a reason. Every major museum, from the Palacio de Bellas Artes to the Museo Nacional de Antropología, is fully operational. Special year-end exhibitions run now. They aren't on in the slower summer months.
- + You get the festive spirit without the overwhelm. The Zócalo lights up with the city's official Christmas display. A towering, intricate nativity scene dominates the square. You hear the distant peal of church bells from the Cathedral. The massive crowds of Holy Week or Day of the Dead are months away.
Considerations
- − This is the absolute peak of the high season for international tourism. Hotels in Polanco and Condesa will be booked solid months in advance. You'll hear as much English and French on the streets as Spanish.
- − The days are sunny. But the temperature swing is dramatic. That 47°F (8°C) low is a damp, concrete-chilling cold. It seeps into your bones. Stay out in Coyoacán's Jardín Centenario past 8 PM without a proper layer and you'll feel it.
- − Prices for everything from guided tours to a nice dinner in a courtyard restaurant are at their annual peak. You're paying for the perfect weather. Everyone knows it.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Teotihuacán Archaeological Site Tours
December's dry air and cool morning temperatures make this the ideal month to visit. Good for climbing the Pyramid of the Sun without heat exhaustion. The light is sharp and golden. It casts long, dramatic shadows across the Avenue of the Dead. You just don't get this in the humid, hazy summer. Crowds are substantial but manageable if you arrive at opening time.
Booking Tip: Secure a licensed guide or tour at least two weeks ahead. Essential for the popular sunrise hot air balloon combo tours. Look for operators that include transportation from the Centro Histórico. See current options in the booking section below.
Xochimilco Floating Gardens Trajinera Rides
The festive season transforms the canals. It's a year-round activity. But December sees the trajineras (colorful, flat-bottomed boats) decked out with extra papel picado and poinsettias. The mariachi bands floating by play a steady stream of rancheras and holiday songs. The air is cool and fresh off the water. A welcome contrast to the city center.
Booking Tip: You can book a private trajinera on the spot at the embarcaderos. For a more curated experience with food and drinks included, pre-book a tour. Mid-week mornings are far less crowded than weekend afternoons. Check the booking widget for sunrise or lunch tour options.
Historic Center Architecture & Food Walks
The cool, dry weather is made for walking. You can spend hours tracing the blue *talavera* tiles of the Casa de los Azulejos. Smell the sweet yeast from the century-old Pastelerían Ideal. Hear the organ grinders in the Zócalo. No sweat. No rain. The light hits the baroque facades of the Metropolitan Cathedral at a perfect, photographable angle.
Booking Tip: Many excellent guided walking tours focus on the Centro Histórico's layered history and street food. Book a few days in advance. Look for tours that start in the late morning. Catch the market stalls at their most active.
Chapultepec Park Exploration
Mexico City's massive urban park is at its most pleasant in December. The deciduous trees might be bare. But the wide paths are dry underfoot. The air in the Bosque is crisp with the scent of fallen leaves and roasted peanuts from vendors. Perfect day to visit the Castillo de Chapultepec for panoramic views. Wander the vast halls of the Museo Nacional de Antropología without oppressive humidity.
Booking Tip: No need to book ahead for the park itself. Tickets for the Castillo and the Anthropology Museum can have lines. Consider a skip-the-line guided tour for the museum. Make the most of your day. See tour options in the booking section.
Lucha Libre Matches at Arena México
The enclosed, often stuffy arena is far more comfortable in the cool December night air. The spectacle is year-round, but the energy feels heightened during the holidays. The roar of the crowd. The smell of popcorn and spilled beer. The thunderous slap of a wrestler hitting the canvas. A uniquely Mexico City sensory experience.
Booking Tip: Tickets for Friday night (*Viernes Espectacular*) are the most in-demand. Purchase a week or more in advance through authorized sellers. Tuesday nights are cheaper and less crowded. Never buy tickets from scalpers outside the venue.
Where to Stay in Mexico City in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★★★
Luxury
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City
From $609 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Navidad
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Navidad
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Año Nuevo
Known in English as New Year's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Navidad
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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View Mexico City Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
For the best Christmas atmosphere without the tourist crush, visit the *puestos* selling nativity figurines and piñatas around the Mercado de la Merced. The smell of pine, sawdust, and burnt sugar from *camotes* is pure December in Mexico City.
Locals take their main holiday between Christmas and New Year's. From December 25th to the 27th, many restaurants and smaller shops will be closed. Plan ahead. Stock up on snacks.
The *posadas*, nightly processions reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, begin on December 16th. You'll hear them in residential colonias. Follow the singing and *piñata* breaking to find one.
Skip the overpriced hotel taxis. The Metrobús Line 7 runs from the airport to the Centro Histórico. Use the official airport taxi service (*Sitio 300*) from the designated booth inside the terminal. Uber is reliable and often cheaper.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't underestimate the altitude and sun. You can get a nasty sunburn and feel short of breath walking uphill on your first day. Take it easy. Drink water. Wear sunscreen.
Avoid trying to do too much on December 24th or 25th. The city effectively shuts down. Use the 25th as a recovery day. Take a quiet walk in a deserted park. Enjoy your hotel.
Don't only stay in Polanco or Condesa. For a more local (and slightly more affordable) feel, look at hotels in quieter southern neighborhoods near Universidad like Narvarte or Del Valle.
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