Things to Do in Israel in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Israel
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Mild temperatures averaging 15°C (59°F) make December ideal for exploring Jerusalem's Old City and desert hikes in the Negev without the brutal summer heat that hits 35°C+ (95°F+). You can actually walk the Via Dolorosa at midday without melting.
- Christian pilgrimage season peaks beautifully around Christmas with special midnight masses at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Garden of Gethsemane. The atmosphere in Jerusalem's Christian Quarter is genuinely moving, even if you're not religious.
- Winter citrus season means the best Israeli oranges, pomelos, and grapefruits flood the markets. Carmel Market in Tel Aviv and Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem overflow with fresh juice stands selling squeezed-to-order cups for 15-20 NIS (4-5 USD).
- Hanukkah typically falls in December, bringing sufganiyot (jelly donuts) to every bakery and street corner. The eight-night festival means nightly candle lightings at the Western Wall and public menorahs throughout cities, plus special concerts and events that locals actually attend.
Considerations
- Rain comes unpredictably with those 10 rainy days spread randomly throughout the month. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv can get proper downpours that flood streets within 30 minutes. The Dead Sea and Eilat stay dry, but everywhere else you're gambling on weather.
- Christmas week (December 20-27) sees accommodation prices in Jerusalem triple compared to early December, and Bethlehem becomes genuinely difficult to visit with security checkpoints backed up for hours. If you're not specifically there for Christmas, avoid this week entirely.
- Sunset hits around 16:40 (4:40pm) by late December, giving you surprisingly short daylight for sightseeing. Factor this into planning, especially for outdoor sites like Masada or Caesarea where you want good light for photos and safety on ancient stone steps.
Best Activities in December
Dead Sea floating and mud treatments
December is actually perfect for the Dead Sea because summer temperatures reach unbearable 40°C+ (104°F+) while December sits at comfortable 20-22°C (68-72°F). The water temperature stays warm year-round at 22-24°C (72-75°F), and the lower UV intensity means you're less likely to burn while floating. The mineral-rich mud is the same temperature regardless of season. December also sees fewer crowds than spring and fall shoulder seasons.
Jerusalem Old City walking tours
The cooler December weather makes walking Jerusalem's hilly Old City genuinely pleasant instead of the sweaty ordeal it becomes May through September. You'll cover 5-8 km (3-5 miles) on uneven stone streets, climbing steps between quarters. The Christmas season adds special access to churches normally closed, and you'll see the city decorated without the overwhelming crowds that hit during Easter. Morning tours starting 09:00-10:00 give you the best light in the narrow alleyways.
Negev Desert hiking and stargazing
December brings the Negev's most comfortable hiking weather with daytime temperatures around 15-18°C (59-64°F) and clear skies about 80% of nights. Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon) and Ein Avdat National Park offer trails ranging from easy 2 km (1.2 mile) walks to challenging 8 km (5 mile) canyon hikes. The winter rains occasionally create temporary waterfalls in the wadis, something you'll never see in summer. Night temperatures drop to 5-8°C (41-46°F), perfect for campfire stargazing with minimal light pollution.
Tel Aviv food market tours and street food
December's mild weather makes walking Tel Aviv's neighborhoods comfortable, and the winter citrus harvest means markets overflow with seasonal produce. Carmel Market, Levinsky Market, and Sarona Market all operate year-round, but December brings special Hanukkah foods like sufganiyot and latkes (potato pancakes) to street stalls. A typical food tour covers 2-3 km (1.2-1.8 miles) over 3-4 hours with 8-10 tasting stops. The humidity can be noticeable, but it's nothing compared to summer's sticky heat.
Galilee region wine tasting tours
December marks the post-harvest season when wineries in the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee are less busy than summer tourist season but fully stocked with new vintages. The cooler weather makes vineyard walks pleasant, and many wineries offer indoor tasting rooms with views over the rolling hills. The region produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Tours typically visit 2-3 wineries over 4-5 hours, covering the Golan Heights wine route or Galilee boutique wineries.
Eilat Red Sea snorkeling and diving
While northern Israel gets rain in December, Eilat stays dry and sunny with water temperatures around 23-24°C (73-75°F), perfectly comfortable for snorkeling without a wetsuit. The Red Sea coral reefs at Coral Beach Nature Reserve remain vibrant year-round, and December sees fewer crowds than European summer holidays. Visibility typically reaches 20-30 m (65-100 ft). The cooler air temperature of 20-22°C (68-72°F) makes surface intervals between dives comfortable instead of scorching.
December Events & Festivals
Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)
The eight-day Jewish festival typically falls in December, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple. Each night at sunset, families light candles on menorahs, adding one candle per night. Public menorah lightings happen at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and in city squares throughout Israel. Bakeries sell sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) and street vendors fry up latkes (potato pancakes). The holiday is more cultural than religious for many Israelis, so you'll see celebrations everywhere regardless of neighborhood. Special concerts and events run throughout the eight nights, particularly in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem and Jerusalem
Christmas Eve midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem draws thousands of pilgrims and requires advance tickets through the Custody of the Holy Land. Jerusalem's Christian Quarter comes alive with decorations, special church services, and processions. The Garden Tomb and Church of the Holy Sepulchre hold special services throughout Christmas week. Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem hosts a German-language service that's become traditional. Worth noting that Orthodox Christmas falls in January, so you'll see two separate celebration periods if you're around for both.
Tel Aviv Marathon
One of the fastest marathon courses in the world runs along Tel Aviv's Mediterranean coastline, attracting 40,000+ runners from 70+ countries. The flat, sea-level course starts and finishes near Charles Clore Park. Even if you're not running, the city atmosphere on race day is electric with street parties, live music, and beach celebrations. Half-marathon and 10K options available. December's cooler temperatures make this a PR-friendly race compared to spring marathons elsewhere in the region.