Month guide · Phoenix · United States
Phoenix in December
What December is really like in Phoenix: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris English, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Phoenix. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 9.9 hours of daylight. Mild days and chilly nights, with holiday lights in the desert.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Phoenix: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with November (24°C (75°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:25
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:22
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild, sunny days and cold nights; peak season for golf, resorts and events, with high prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden (December evenings)
- Fiesta Bowl college football game in Glendale (around New Year)
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.
Nature · Arcadia
Camelback Mountain
The city's signature hike climbs the 'hump' of Camelback Mountain, whose summit stands about 820 metres above sea level.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Piestewa Peak
Go at sunrise on a weekday; parking at the main trailhead fills early on weekends.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Park · South Phoenix
South Mountain Park and Preserve
One of the largest city parks in the country, covering about 6,500 hectares of desert ridges with more than 80 km of trails.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- History
- After dark
Park · Papago Park
Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock
Combine an early-evening climb to Hole-in-the-Rock with dinner nearby after a day at the zoo or Desert Botanical Garden.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 7°C and 4 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Phoenix?
One of the best months to visit Phoenix, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January–April and November. Compare every month.
Phoenix in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Phoenix?
It is one of the best months to visit Phoenix. Mild days and chilly nights, with holiday lights in the desert.
+How warm is Phoenix in December?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Phoenix in December?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.