Month guide · Palm Springs · United States
Palm Springs in December
What December is really like in Palm Springs: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs · Photo: Mfield , Matthew Field, http://www.photography.mattfield.com, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 9.9 hours of daylight. Mild, sunny days and cold desert nights; holiday weeks get busy and the tramway can see snow at the top.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Plan a trip to Palm Springs
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Palm Springs: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with November (25°C (77°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:44
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:39
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild sunny days around 20°C, chilly nights, snow on the peaks and the busiest calendar: the film festival and Modernism Week.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in February). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Festival of Lights Parade on Palm Canyon Drive (usually early December)
- Indio International Tamale Festival (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.
Museum · Downtown Palm Springs
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza on Tahquitz Canyon Way, this museum tells the story of the Cahuilla people of the Coachella Valley through baskets, oral history and immersive galleries.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Springs Art Museum
The museum has offered free entry on some evenings; check its website before you go and pair a visit with dinner downtown.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Architecture · Downtown Palm Springs
Architecture and Design Center
The Palm Springs Art Museum's design outpost occupies E.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
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Architecture · North Palm Springs
Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station)
Stop here on the way to or from the tramway to photograph the roof against the mountains and pick up an architecture map.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 20°C (68°F), lows near 7°C (45°F) 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 Palm Springs?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April and November are better overall. Compare every month.
Palm Springs in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Palm Springs in December?
At about 16:39 local time in mid-December, with sunrise at about 06:44: roughly 9.9 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Palm Springs in December?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Palm Springs in December?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.