Things to Do in New Delhi in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in New Delhi
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect temperature window for outdoor exploration - mornings start crisp at 8-10°C (46-50°F), ideal for walking through monuments like Humayun's Tomb or Qutub Minar before the midday warmth peaks around 23°C (73°F). You'll actually want to be outside, unlike the scorching summer months.
- Festival season is in full swing with the International Gyan Festival typically mid-December and New Year's Eve celebrations ramping up late month. The city has a celebratory energy you won't find in quieter months, plus wedding season means you might catch elaborate baraats (wedding processions) with dancing horses and brass bands in areas like South Delhi.
- Air quality is genuinely better than November - while still not pristine, December typically sees AQI levels drop from November's hazardous 400+ to more manageable 200-300 range as winds pick up. You'll still want an N95 mask for smoggy days, but you get more clear-sky mornings for photography at India Gate or Red Fort.
- Winter produce floods the markets - this is peak season for gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding), fresh sugarcane juice, roasted peanuts, and makki di roti with sarson da saag. The street food scene transforms with seasonal specialties you simply can't get other months, especially in Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk area where vendors set up coal braziers for warming snacks.
Considerations
- Dense fog disrupts travel plans unpredictably - December mornings can bring zero-visibility fog that delays flights by 3-6 hours and makes driving genuinely dangerous. If you're connecting through Delhi to another destination, build in serious buffer time. Locals call it 'kauhra' and it's worst between 5am-10am.
- That 70% humidity combined with variable conditions means you're dressing in layers and carrying a daypack everywhere - mornings need a sweater or light jacket, afternoons get warm enough for cotton kurtas or t-shirts, evenings cool down again. It's annoying to manage, especially when visiting indoor attractions with no climate control.
- Peak wedding season creates unexpected logistical chaos - hotels in South Delhi, Gurgaon, and near major venues get block-booked months ahead for wedding parties. Traffic around venues like The Leela or ITC Maurya becomes nightmarish on weekend evenings, and restaurants in areas like Hauz Khas Village or Connaught Place fill up with wedding guests. Book accommodations 6-8 weeks minimum if visiting late December.
Best Activities in December
Heritage Walking Tours Through Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Lodhi Gardens
December mornings are genuinely perfect for exploring Delhi's sprawling heritage sites - you're walking in 10-15°C (50-59°F) temperatures with low humidity before 10am. Mehrauli Archaeological Park has over 100 monuments spread across 200 acres (81 hectares), and you'll actually enjoy the 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mile) walking circuits instead of melting like you would April through September. The winter light is spectacular for photography around 7-9am when fog creates atmospheric backdrops for Mughal-era tombs. Most walking tour groups operate 7am-11am starts to avoid afternoon warmth.
Old Delhi Food Walking Tours
Winter is peak season for Delhi's street food scene because vendors break out specialties you won't find in summer heat - gajar ka halwa, moong dal halwa, hot jalebis, kulfi faluda, and the famous daulat ki chaat (a frothy milk dessert only made in winter months). December weather means you're comfortable walking the 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mile) circuits through Chandni Chowk's narrow lanes from 5pm-9pm when the area truly comes alive. The 70% humidity actually helps because you're not dealing with dust clouds that plague pre-monsoon months. Most food tours hit 8-12 stops over 3-4 hours.
Cycling Tours Through Lutyens' Delhi and Diplomatic Enclave
December is the only genuinely comfortable month for cycling Delhi's wide boulevards - you're riding in perfect 15-20°C (59-68°F) morning temperatures before traffic builds up. The 15-20 km (9.3-12.4 mile) routes through Lutyens' Delhi take you past India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and through the tree-lined diplomatic area when jacarandas are in bloom. Early morning fog adds drama to photography stops. Most tours run 6:30am-10am starts to avoid both heat and Delhi's notorious traffic. The relatively clear December air means you're not inhaling heavy pollution while exercising.
Sufi Music Evenings at Nizamuddin Dargah
Thursday evening qawwali performances at Nizamuddin Dargah are magical in December because you're sitting outdoors in comfortable 15-18°C (59-64°F) evening temperatures instead of sweating through summer sessions. The spiritual music tradition dates back centuries, and December's wedding season means you might catch elaborate offerings and ceremonies. Performances typically run 7pm-10pm. The surrounding Nizamuddin Basti area has excellent Mughlai food stalls perfect for post-qawwali dinner. Worth noting that December brings more domestic tourists, so arrive by 6:30pm for decent seating.
Day Trips to Agra for Taj Mahal Sunrise Visits
December offers the best visibility for Taj Mahal visits - you're getting those iconic clear-sky photos instead of fighting monsoon clouds or summer haze. The 4am pickup for sunrise visits is actually bearable in winter temperatures, and you're viewing the monument in 8-12°C (46-54°F) morning cold that keeps crowds slightly thinner. The 230 km (143 mile) round trip via Yamuna Expressway takes 3-4 hours each way. December's relatively better air quality means you might actually see the Taj from several kilometers away, unlike smoggy November. Most tours return to Delhi by 2-3pm.
Evening Light and Sound Shows at Red Fort and Purana Qila
December evenings are perfect for outdoor light shows because you're sitting comfortably in 12-15°C (54-59°F) temperatures instead of shivering through January fog or sweating in October humidity. The Red Fort show runs 7:30pm-8:30pm in Hindi and English on alternate days, while Purana Qila offers a stunning 90-minute production. December's clearer air means better projection quality and visibility. Shows get booked solid on weekends and around Christmas-New Year period, so advance planning matters. The productions provide excellent historical context if you're new to Mughal history.
December Events & Festivals
International Gyan Festival at Purana Qila
This multi-day cultural festival typically runs mid-December featuring classical music, dance performances, craft exhibitions, and food stalls against the backdrop of the 16th-century fort. Evening performances showcase India's diverse artistic traditions with artists from across the country. Entry is usually free or minimal, and the outdoor setting works perfectly in December weather. Gets crowded on weekend evenings, so weekday attendance offers better experience.
Christmas Markets and Celebrations
Delhi's Christian community centers celebrations around areas like Connaught Place, Khan Market, and churches in Civil Lines. Expect carol services at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Christmas markets with seasonal foods and crafts, and elaborate decorations at major hotels and malls. The city takes on a festive atmosphere even beyond Christian communities, with New Year's Eve parties building momentum through late December. Hotels and restaurants in South Delhi and Gurgaon host special Christmas dinners and events.
New Year's Eve Celebrations Across the City
December 31st transforms Delhi into party central with major events at Connaught Place, Kingdom of Dreams in Gurgaon, and countless hotel venues. Hauz Khas Village, Cyber Hub, and Select Citywalk mall host outdoor concerts and countdown events. Traffic becomes absolutely chaotic after 10pm, and metro extends hours but gets packed. Book any restaurant or event tickets 3-4 weeks ahead minimum. Hotel prices spike 40-60% for December 30-31 dates.