Month guide · Macau · China
Macau in December
What December is really like in Macau: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: J. Patrick Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Macau. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 10.8 hours of daylight. Cool and dry; festive lights decorate the Historic Centre and resorts.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 21°C (70°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Macau: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with November (24°C (75°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 18°C (64°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:58
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:45
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
- Sea
- 21°C (70°F)
Winter (December–February). Cool, dry and mostly sunny with festive lights, but Lunar New Year brings peak crowds and prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Macao Light Festival — illuminations in the Historic Centre (usually December)
- Macao International Marathon (usually early December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Zoo · Coloane Village
Giant Panda Pavilion
In Seac Pai Van Park in Coloane, the pavilion houses giant pandas in indoor and outdoor enclosures, with a red panda area and a small zoo of other animals in the surrounding park.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Beach · Coloane Village
Hác Sá Beach
The water is murky from the Pearl River; come for a walk, a barbecue or the pool rather than clear-water swimming.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Free
- Kids
Historic site · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Ruins of St. Paul's
The carved stone façade of the 17th-century Church of Mater Dei is all that survived a fire in 1835.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Landmark · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Senado Square
Step inside the Leal Senado building to see its tiled staircase and small garden, which most people walk past.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
The sea averages 21°C (70°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Macau.
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 14°C and 3 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Macau?
One of the best months to visit Macau, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are October–November. Compare every month.
Macau in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Macau?
It is one of the best months to visit Macau. Cool and dry; festive lights decorate the Historic Centre and resorts.
+How warm is Macau in December?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Macau in December?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.