Month guide · Almaty · Kazakhstan
Almaty in December
What December is really like in Almaty: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -7°C (19°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 9 hours of daylight. Cold and snowy, with the ski season opening at Shymbulak and New Year lights in the centre.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 2°C (36°F) / -7°C (19°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Almaty: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about -7°C (19°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with November (7°C (45°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 0°C (32°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:18
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:18
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
Winter (December–February). Snowy and cold, with skiing at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu; smog can settle over the city on still days.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Independence Day (16 December)
- New Year celebrations — Kazakhstan's main winter holiday (31 December–2 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Architecture · City centre
Almaty Metro art stations
Almaty's single metro line, opened in 2011, has stations decorated with themes from Kazakh culture: mosaics and chandeliers at Almaly, Silk Road reliefs at Zhibek Zholy and stained glass at Abay.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral)
Visit during a service to hear the choir, dress modestly and, for women, carry a headscarf.
- Time needed
- 1 hour with the park
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Dostyk Avenue and Kok Tobe foothills
Kok Tobe
A hill at about 1,100 metres on the city's south-east edge, crowned by the Almaty TV tower.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Couples
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Landmark · Medeu and Shymbulak
Medeu
Skate in the evening, when the rink is floodlit and music plays; climb the dam stairs in daylight for views down the valley.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Active
- Views
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 2°C, lows near -7°C and 8 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Almaty?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Almaty in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Almaty?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and snowy, with the ski season opening at Shymbulak and New Year lights in the centre.
+How warm is Almaty in December?
Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -7°C (19°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Almaty in December?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.