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India in December: Weather, Where to Go, and What to Avoid
December is peak season across most of India: warm, pleasant days and genuinely cold, sometimes foggy nights and mornings in the north. Goa and Kerala are at their busiest around Christmas and New Year, while the Himalaya is in deep winter.
By Experience My India Editorial Team
Destination specialists and licensed local guides
- Golden Triangle and Rajasthan — warm, pleasant days; cold, sometimes foggy nights and mornings, especially later in the month.
- Goa and Kerala — warm and dry, at their most crowded around Christmas and New Year.
- Kashmir and Ladakh — deep winter; most touring in Ladakh has stopped, and Kashmir is cold with snow at altitude.
The Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Kerala, South India and Goa are all in season, which makes December one of the most popular and most expensive months to travel, especially over Christmas and New Year.
- Christmas — 25 December (fixed date), celebrated widely, particularly in Goa and among the Christian community.
- New Year's Eve and Day — 31 December to 1 January (fixed dates), marked with major celebrations in Goa and other tourist hubs.
- Booking Goa or Kerala for the Christmas–New Year period at the last minute — prices peak and availability is tight.
- Underestimating the cold in Delhi and the north in late December — fog can also delay flights and trains.
- Expecting Ladakh to be open — its touring season is over for the winter.
Is December a good time to visit India?
Yes, for most of the country — it's peak season, though it's also the most crowded and expensive time to book, especially Goa over Christmas and New Year.
Is it cold in India in December?
In the north, yes — mornings and nights are cold, sometimes foggy, though days are pleasant. The south and Goa stay warm.
Should I book Goa early for December?
Yes — the Christmas to New Year period is the busiest and most expensive stretch of the year there.
Is Ladakh open in December?
No — it's deep winter, and the touring season is over.
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