December feels like a fresh page. Lights go up, the air turns sharp or soft depending on where you stand on the map, and the world settles into a slower rhythm. It also becomes one of the most fun months for travel. Crowds thin out in many places, prices cool down outside of the holiday peak, and whole cities dress themselves in lights and music.
Some travelers lean toward snow and mountain air. Others want sand between their toes by the time the tree goes up at home. Many of us like a bit of both. December gives space for all of that.
Below, we walk through snowy storybook towns, glowing Christmas markets, sunny beaches, and classic city breaks. You can use it as a menu. Pick one idea or mix a few into a longer trip.
Reading December’s Travel Map
December brings strong patterns in weather and crowds. In most of the Northern Hemisphere, winter settles in. In places near the equator, dry season often begins. In the Southern Hemisphere, summer starts to wake up.
The first two weeks of December often feel calm. Flights and hotels can stay cheaper than peak summer in many places, and popular sights feel less busy. The week of Christmas and New Year’s turns that calm into a rush again, especially in ski towns, big cities, and famous beach spots.
So it helps to decide what matters most to you. Some people care about bright holiday events more than blue skies. Some people want warm water more than markets and lights. Others care most about deep snow on the mountain. The good news is that December gives options for each style.
European Christmas Markets and Storybook Streets
For many travelers, Europe in December feels like the heart of the season. Old squares fill with wooden stalls. Steam rises from mugs of spiced wine. Choirs sing in front of centuries-old churches. Cities across the continent turn their main streets into long ribbons of lights.
Classic Christmas market cities
Some cities stand out for long, rich Christmas market traditions.
- Nuremberg, Germany fills its main square with one of the oldest and most famous markets in the country. Stalls sell wooden toys, cloth ornaments, and fresh gingerbread.
- Strasbourg and Colmar, France, in the Alsace region, lean into half-timbered houses, canals, and narrow lanes lined with lights and greenery. Visitors often describe both towns as close to a fairy tale in feel.
- Prague, Czechia lights up its Old Town Square and castle area with markets, trees, and food stalls. The compact historic center makes it easy to walk from one glowing square to the next.
These cities work well if you like history mixed with holiday cheer. Cobblestone streets can feel more slippery in December, so good shoes help.
Lesser-known Christmas market towns
Plenty of smaller cities offer a warmer, quieter mood while still giving strong festive energy.
- Aosta, Italy sits near the Alps and builds a market inside Roman ruins and stone courtyards. It gives mountain views with old-world character and often has good chances of snow.
- Innsbruck, Austria brings alpine peaks right to the edge of its old streets. Markets spread through the old town and along the river, and snow often dusts the rooftops by mid-December.
- Ljubljana, Slovenia decorates its riverfront and bridges with lights and keeps prices softer than some larger Western cities.
Trains link many of these locations, so you can string them together into one long rail trip. A week that moves from a big-name city to a smaller town can balance crowds and quiet time.
Warmth and Winter Sun
Not everyone wants cold air and gloves in December. Sometimes the right move is to lean in the other direction and find sun, sea, and outdoor meals. Many warm-weather regions enter one of their best seasons in December, with lower humidity and gentler temperatures.
Caribbean and Mexico
Across much of the Caribbean basin, December marks the start of the drier, more stable season after the peak of hurricane risk. Temperatures sit in a warm, steady range, and water often feels perfect for swimming.
Islands such as Aruba, Barbados, and Saint Lucia draw visitors with reliable sun and resort life. On the mainland, Cancún and the Riviera Maya in Mexico offer big all-inclusive resorts, Mayan ruins, cenotes, and long beaches.
Early December can bring lower prices than the last week of the month. Many families wait until school breaks to travel, so you and your group can often enjoy shorter lines and quieter pools if you go a bit earlier.
Warmth within the USA
If you want to stay under the US flag, December still offers several warm or mild pockets.
- Hawaii, including Waikiki on Oʻahu and Maui, usually brings highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit with warm water and a mix of city comforts and tropical scenery.
- Florida Keys and Key West sit far enough south to stay warm and sunny most days. These islands give bright water, laid-back streets, and live music in the evenings.
- Southern California offers mild, sunny days in San Diego, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, with daytime highs often in the 60s or low 70s. Beach time, desert hikes, and wine tasting all fit into one trip.
- Arizona desert towns like Sedona and areas near Joshua Tree on the California side stay cooler at night but bring clear skies, red rock views, and quiet trails.
These spots work well if you want holiday lights at night but sun on your face during the day. You can walk in a T-shirt while still seeing decorated palm trees and boat parades.
Ski Trips and Mountain Towns
For many people, December feels complete only when snow falls and lifts start to spin. Early winter does require more care when you plan a ski trip, since not every resort fills in its terrain by the holidays. High altitude and snow-rich regions help a lot.
North American ski favorites
Several mountain areas in the US and Canada often build strong early-season coverage.
- In the US Rockies, resorts around Summit County, Colorado and Alta in Utah often open a good mix of runs by early to mid-December, helped by high elevation and early storms.
- Vail, Colorado, and other big Colorado resorts typically spin many lifts by the holidays and run strong snow-making systems to back up natural snowfall.
- Grand Targhee, Wyoming, near the Idaho border, has a strong record of deep holiday snow and often ranks near the top of early-season lists.
- In Canada, Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia can deliver big-mountain scenery and long runs even in December, especially after a few strong Pacific storms.
Early December can feel more relaxed and cheaper for lodging. The week of Christmas and New Year’s often turns busy and pricey. Many families and groups pick that week for annual ski trips, so booking early gives more control over costs.
Alpine snow in Europe
Across the Atlantic, the Alps move into winter. Resorts in Switzerland, France, Italy, and Austria gear up for the long season that runs into spring. High-altitude ski areas and glacier resorts often have the best early coverage.
A December trip to the Alps can blend skiing with Christmas markets in nearby valley towns. Innsbruck and Aosta, for example, sit close to ski slopes and also run charming markets, so you can spend mornings on the mountain and evenings under lights.
Festive City Breaks in the USA
You do not have to leave the United States to feel full holiday magic. Several cities lean into lights, music, and big displays that turn December into one long celebration.
New York and classic big-city lights
New York City sits near the top of many December wish lists. The Rockefeller Center tree, skating rinks, store windows along Fifth Avenue, and shows like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular all help build that reputation. Crowds stay thick near Christmas, but energy stays high.
Beyond Manhattan, neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens also decorate houses and streets. The mix of cultures in the city means you can enjoy holiday food and events from many traditions in a single weekend.
Small-town holiday charm
If bright lights and traffic feel heavy, December still offers smaller US spots with cozy charm.
- Leavenworth, Washington, turns its alpine-style town center into a full-scale Christmas village with lights, markets, and mountain scenery.
- Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, builds indoor gardens full of lights, ice displays, and holiday shows. You can stay on the property and soak in the season without stepping far outside.
- Siesta Key, Florida, gives you a softer, beach-focused version of the holidays with warm days, soft sand, and sunset walks.
Smaller towns often give easier parking, shorter lines, and lower prices than large city centers. That can help if you travel with kids or older relatives in December.
Quiet Nature and Wellness Escapes
Not everyone enjoys bright markets and nonstop carols. Some people use December as a time to step back, rest, and reset before the new year. Nature-focused trips help with that, especially in shoulder-season spots.
National and state parks in the desert Southwest, for example, can feel crisp and clear. Trails near Sedona, Joshua Tree, and Moab often stay cool and sunny, with far fewer visitors than in spring.
Coastal towns like Santa Barbara, San Diego, and parts of the Texas Gulf Coast keep softer winter weather. You can walk the beach in a light jacket, sip coffee outdoors, and watch shorebirds and waves.
Wellness resorts and hot springs also become more appealing in colder weather. A soak in warm water with cold air on your face can feel like hitting a reset button. Some of these places sit near ski areas or desert parks, so you can blend gentle activity with rest.
Practical Thoughts for December Trips
A few shared themes run through most December travel plans.
Weather can swing more widely than in mid-summer, so flexible packing helps. Layers, waterproof outerwear, and shoes with good grip make winter trips more comfortable. A light jacket and one sweater can turn a breezy beach night from chilly to pleasant.
Holiday schedules shape transport and opening hours. Many museums, shops, and public offices close on December 24, 25, and 26 in parts of Europe, and on December 25 in the United States and Canada. Airlines and trains run, but some services reduce frequency.
Demand peaks around the final week of the year. Flights to big hubs, ski resorts, and warm beach regions often sell out or spike in price for those dates. When you can travel earlier in December, you and your group often gain lower prices and quieter hotels without losing the seasonal atmosphere.
Wrapping Up December Dreams
December carries many moods at once. Snow settles on rooftops in alpine towns while short-sleeve evenings roll on in tropical harbors. City streets glow with market stalls and music while desert trails sit empty and quiet under clear stars.
You and your people get to decide which version of the month fits best right now. Maybe this year leans toward a once-in-a-lifetime market trip in Europe. Maybe it leans toward an easy week of sun in Florida or Hawaii. Maybe a road trip to a small town or a simple long weekend in a nearby city feels just right.
The main thread running through all of these choices is simple. December invites you to step outside your regular routine, even for a short time, and see the year’s last days from a fresh angle.
