Visiting the USA in December: Weather, Events & Travel Tips
December is a month of strong contrasts across the USA. New York, Chicago, and Boston are at their most festive — but also their most expensive. The Pacific Northwest is cold and persistently wet. The Southwest and Florida flip to their best season: warm, dry, and suddenly popular with Americans fleeing northern winters. Ski resorts in Colorado and Utah hit full operation. The Christmas and New Year window generates the USA’s second-busiest travel period of the year after summer.
Weather by Region
| Region | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall/Snow | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 4°C (39°F) | -3°C (27°F) | 80mm + snow | Cold; New York City averages 10cm of snow in December, though distribution varies |
| South | 16°C (61°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 65mm | Mild; Florida averages 26°C and is the warmest destination in the continental USA |
| Midwest | -1°C (30°F) | -9°C (16°F) | 60mm + significant snow | Cold and snowy; Lake effect snow affects western Michigan and upstate New York |
| Southwest | 14°C (57°F) | 1°C (34°F) | 20mm | Warm days (Tucson/Phoenix up to 18°C), cold nights; desert hiking season at its peak |
| West Coast | 12°C (54°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 120mm (Pacific NW) / 60mm (CA) | Heavy rain in Seattle and Portland; Los Angeles mild and mostly dry |
Florida’s December climate deserves specific attention for international visitors. Miami averages 26°C with low humidity — a stark contrast to the 4°C of New York City. This is why Miami hotel rates spike in December; book early. The Florida Keys, Gulf Coast (Naples, Sarasota), and the Space Coast all offer genuine winter-sun conditions.
The Colorado ski resorts are in full operation by December. Vail, Breckenridge, Aspen, and Park City (Utah) all reach peak snowpack by late December. Lift tickets purchased on the day at resort windows are expensive — approximately $220–$260 per day at the major resorts. Pre-purchasing through Ikon Pass or Epic Pass, or booking three to four weeks in advance online, reduces this significantly.
Major Events in December
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting — New York City, late November/early December 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown Manhattan. The tree lighting ceremony itself is a ticketed NBC broadcast event (invitations allocated by lottery). But the tree is lit and publicly viewable from the day after the ceremony through early January. The surrounding Rockefeller Center ice rink (open from October) charges approximately $20–$32 for skate rental and admission; book a session in advance as walk-ups face long waits.
Christkindlmarket — Chicago, Illinois, late November through December 24 Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St. One of the oldest German-style Christmas markets in the USA, running since 1996. Free admission; vendors sell mulled wine (Glühwein, approximately $8–$12 per cup), ornaments, and traditional food. A second, larger market at Millennium Park (201 E Randolph St) runs simultaneously with an outdoor ice rink — public skating from approximately $13.
Winter Wonderland at Bryant Park — New York City, throughout December Bryant Park, 42nd St between 5th and 6th Avenues. Free outdoor market with shopping stalls, food vendors, and free ice skating (skate rental approximately $20; skating itself free). Considerably less crowded than the Rockefeller rink and free. Open daily from mid-November through January.
Rose Parade (Tournament of Roses) — Pasadena, California, January 1 Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena. Tickets and planning for New Year’s Day require December booking. Grandstand seats from approximately $65–$130 via tournamentofroses.com. The floats, assembled from fresh flowers, are viewable for free at the Exposition Park display the days after the parade — a less crowded way to see the craftsmanship.
New Year’s Eve — Times Square, New York City, December 31 The ball drop at midnight is the most watched New Year’s Eve event in the country. Viewing areas on the streets of Times Square are free but require arriving by mid-afternoon (crowds fill from around 3pm) and standing for hours without leaving — no exits and re-entry is not permitted. Restaurants with Times Square views book out entirely; prix-fixe New Year’s Eve menus in the area range from $150 to $500+ per person. For a less crowded alternative with fireworks, Prospect Park in Brooklyn (Grand Army Plaza entrance) or the Hudson River Park piers offer midnight displays without the Times Square infrastructure.
City Recommendations
Miami, Florida
December is Miami’s best month — warm, dry, and the Art Basel Miami Beach fair (early December) brings an annual influx of the art world to South Beach. Even without the fair, Miami Beach is at peak attractiveness: beach weather, cooled nightlife crowds, and manageable humidity.
Where to stay: The Faena Hotel Miami Beach (3201 Collins Ave) is the most dramatic property on the beach; from approximately $550/night in December — lower if Art Basel week is avoided. The Betsy Hotel (1440 Ocean Dr) is smaller, quieter, and better positioned at approximately $280/night.
Where to eat: Cote Miami (3900 NE 2nd Ave) for Korean steakhouse in the Design District; set menus from approximately $69/person. Versailles Restaurant (3555 SW 8th St) in Little Havana for Cuban food that has been on this address since 1971; black beans, rice, and roast pork for approximately $18.
Park City, Utah
For ski trips, Park City is the most accessible major resort town from a major airport — Salt Lake City is approximately 45 minutes away. December sees the mountain fully open and the town’s historic Main Street at its most atmospheric.
Where to stay: The Waldorf Astoria Park City (2100 Frostwood Blvd) is ski-in/ski-out from Park City Mountain; from approximately $600/night in December. The Marriott Summit Watch (780 Main St) is more central and more affordable at approximately $300/night.
Where to eat: Riverhorse on Main (540 Main St) for a reliable upscale dinner after a day on the mountain; mains from approximately $38. Handle (136 Heber Ave) for a more casual, creative-American approach; mains from approximately $22.
New York City
December New York is genuinely special — the lights along Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, the ice rinks, and the holiday window displays at Bloomingdale’s and Bergdorf Goodman are worth braving the cold and the prices.
Where to stay: The Kimpton Ink48 Hotel (653 11th Ave) on the west side of Midtown is quieter than Fifth Avenue hotels and runs approximately $200–$280/night in December. The Arlo SoHo (231 Hudson St) is well-priced at approximately $160–$220/night with a strong rooftop bar.
Where to eat: Le Bernardin (155 W 51st St) for the city’s finest seafood tasting menu; approximately $210/person, book six to eight weeks ahead for December availability. For something more immediate, Xi’an Famous Foods (multiple locations) for hand-pulled noodles from approximately $12 — one of the city’s best value meals regardless of season.
Packing List for December
Clothing — Northern Cities (New York, Chicago, Boston)
- Heavy winter coat — a genuine down parka, not a light jacket
- Thermal base layers (top and bottom) for sustained outdoor time
- Wool or fleece mid-layer
- Waterproof, insulated boots for snow and slush
- Wool hat, scarf, and insulated gloves — mandatory; the wind chill in Chicago in December is significant
- Warm socks (wool blend, not cotton)
Clothing — Southern/Southwestern Destinations (Miami, Phoenix, Tucson)
- Light clothing for daytime (T-shirts, light trousers); temperatures of 20–26°C
- One warm layer for evenings — it does cool noticeably after sunset, especially in the desert
- Swimwear for Florida beach or hotel pool use
Ski Destinations
- Technical base layers (moisture-wicking, not cotton)
- Ski jacket and ski trousers (rent or buy; resort rental is expensive at approximately $50–$80/day)
- Ski helmet (mandatory for children; strongly recommended for adults)
- UV sunscreen — high-altitude sun is intense even in cold temperatures
- Goggles rated for variable and bright-light conditions
Practical
- Portable battery pack — cold temperatures drain lithium batteries faster
- Lip balm and hand cream — central heating is extremely drying
- Travel insurance with cancellation coverage for winter weather disruptions is worth considering, particularly for Thanksgiving and Christmas week travel
Booking and Budget Notes
December has two distinct pricing phases. Early December (until approximately the 18th) can be good value in non-ski, non-Florida destinations. From approximately December 19th through January 2nd, prices across the country spike to their highest levels of the year.
Christmas week flights, particularly transatlantic routes into New York and Los Angeles, should be booked two to three months in advance. Hotels in New York and Miami for the week between Christmas and New Year can be booked out entirely if left until November.
Ski resort lift tickets purchased at the window in December cost approximately $220–$260/day at Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen. The Ikon Pass (approximately $1,049/season as of 2026) and Epic Pass (approximately $979/season) are worth calculating against trip length — both cover the major Colorado and Utah resorts. Verify current pricing at ikonpass.com and epicpass.com, as prices change each season.