Month guide · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh in December
What December is really like in Riyadh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 pl
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Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Riyadh. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 10.6 hours of daylight. Cool, sunny and busy with concerts and events; nights can feel cold in the desert.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 10.6 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Riyadh: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with November (27°C (81°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 20°C (68°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:30
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:07
- Daylight
- About 10.6 hours
Autumn (October–November). Temperatures fall from hot to comfortable, and Riyadh Season and other events begin.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in December). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- MDLBEAST Soundstorm — large electronic music festival (usually 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.
Market · Eastern outskirts
Riyadh Camel Market
On the city's eastern outskirts, traders buy and sell camels, sheep and goats in a large open-air livestock market, with feed sellers and stalls of camel gear around it.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
- Kids
Experience · Ad Diriyah
Bujairi Terrace
Reserve a terrace table facing At-Turaif for sunset, especially on Thursday and Friday evenings.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Food
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
Viewpoint · Al Olaya
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge
The 302-metre Kingdom Centre, completed in 2002, is crowned by a parabolic opening spanned by a glass-sided bridge about 300 metres up.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- After dark
- Kids
Architecture · Al Olaya
Al Faisaliah Tower
See it lit from King Fahd Road after dark, when the globe glows above the street.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Views
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 10°C and 2 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Riyadh?
One of the best months to visit Riyadh, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are January–March and November. Compare every month.
Riyadh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Riyadh?
It is one of the best months to visit Riyadh. Cool, sunny and busy with concerts and events; nights can feel cold in the desert.
+How warm is Riyadh in December?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Riyadh in December?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.