Things to Do in Macau in December

December Weather in Macau

20°C (68°F) High Temp

14°C (57°F) Low Temp

30 mm (1.2 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect dry season weather with 14-20°C (57-68°F) temperatures - ideal for walking the historic peninsula without summer's oppressive heat and humidity
Christmas and New Year festivities transform Senado Square and Ruins of St. Paul's with elaborate light displays that rival Europe's Christmas markets
Casino crowds thin out mid-week in December, meaning shorter queues at hotel restaurants and better availability at Michelin-starred venues
Cool, dry air makes the 30-minute Coloane Village to Hac Sa Beach coastal walk (4.2 km/2.6 miles) actually enjoyable instead of sweltering

Considerations

Hotel rates spike 40-60% during Christmas week (Dec 23-Jan 2) as Hong Kong residents flood in for holiday gambling trips
Occasional cold fronts from mainland China can drop temperatures to 10°C (50°F) with strong winds, catching tropical-weather packers off guard
December rain tends to be persistent drizzle rather than quick tropical downpours, potentially affecting outdoor sightseeing for entire mornings

Best Activities in December

Historic Peninsula Walking Tours

December's cool, dry weather makes the 3 km (1.9 miles) UNESCO World Heritage walking trail actually comfortable. Start at 9am when temperatures are around 16°C (61°F) and finish by lunch. The route from A-Ma Temple to Monte Fort involves 150m (492 ft) of elevation gain that's unbearable in summer heat but perfect in December's crisp air.

Booking Tip: Join guided heritage walks through licensed cultural associations - typically MOP 200-350 ($25-44) per person. Book 5-7 days ahead as groups are limited to 15 people. See current options in booking section below.

Cotai Strip Casino and Entertainment Complex Tours

December's comfortable indoor climate means you can easily walk between the massive integrated resorts without weather concerns. Mid-week crowds are lighter, giving better access to observation decks like Skytower (233m/764ft high) and the Golden Reel ferris wheel without long queues.

Booking Tip: Book combination resort tours that include multiple properties - typically MOP 150-250 ($19-31) for half-day experiences including transport between venues. Reserve 3-4 days ahead during peak Christmas period.

Coloane Island Nature and Village Exploration

Cool December weather transforms Coloane's hiking trails from sweltering endurance tests to pleasant nature walks. The Coloane Trail (8 km/5 miles) offers 360-degree views at Alto de Coloane (172m/564ft) without summer's brutal humidity. Traditional Portuguese egg tarts taste better when you're not overheating.

Booking Tip: Combine village walking tours with traditional Portuguese cooking classes - typically MOP 400-600 ($50-75) for 4-hour experiences. Book through cultural centers 7-10 days ahead as December is popular with Hong Kong day-trippers.

Macau Tower Adventure Activities

December's clear, dry conditions provide optimal visibility for the 233m (764ft) high observation deck and bungee jumping platform. Cool temperatures make the outdoor SkyWalk experience comfortable rather than scorching. Winds are typically calmer in December, improving safety conditions for extreme activities.

Booking Tip: Book adventure activities 10-14 days ahead as December has the year's best weather conditions. Observation deck entry typically MOP 165 ($21), bungee jumping MOP 3,288 ($411). Check current availability in booking section below.

Traditional Teahouse and Market Food Tours

December's cooler weather makes traditional dim sum morning sessions more comfortable - no air conditioning battles in older teahouses. Red Market and Rua do Cunha pedestrian street are pleasant for food walking tours when it's not 35°C (95°F) with 85% humidity like summer months.

Booking Tip: Morning food tours (9am-12pm) work best in December's cool conditions. Expect MOP 300-500 ($37-62) for 3-hour guided experiences including 6-8 tastings. Book through certified food tour operators 5-7 days ahead.

Kun Iam Temple and Northern Peninsula Cultural Sites

December's comfortable temperatures make the uphill walk to Kun Iam Temple (1.5 km/0.9 miles from city center, 80m/262ft elevation) enjoyable rather than exhausting. The temple's outdoor courtyards and gardens are perfect for meditation when weather is cool and dry instead of sweltering humid.

Booking Tip: Combine multiple northern temples in half-day cultural tours - typically MOP 200-300 ($25-37) including transport. Best visited morning or late afternoon in December's shorter daylight hours. Book 3-5 days ahead through temple associations.

December Events & Festivals

Throughout December

Macau International Music Festival

Month-long classical and contemporary music festival featuring international orchestras performing at Dom Pedro V Theatre and Macau Cultural Centre. Outdoor evening performances benefit from December's cool, comfortable temperatures.

Early December through New Year

Christmas Illuminations at Senado Square

Elaborate light installations transform the UNESCO-listed square into a European-style Christmas market atmosphere. Best viewed between 7-10pm when temperatures drop to comfortable 15°C (59°F) for evening strolls.

Mid December through early January

Macau Galaxy of Lights Christmas Spectacular

Major integrated resorts launch synchronized light shows and Christmas markets. The outdoor components are only comfortable during December's cooler weather - summer versions are moved entirely indoors due to heat.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light wool sweater or fleece jacket - temperatures can drop to 10°C (50°F) during cold fronts from mainland China

Waterproof walking shoes with good grip - December rain creates slippery conditions on Macau's historic stone streets

Compact umbrella - December drizzle lasts longer than summer's quick tropical downpours (2-3 hours vs 30 minutes)

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index still reaches 8 even in winter, especially reflecting off light-colored Portuguese colonial buildings

Layered cotton clothing - humidity stays around 70% so you'll still sweat walking uphill to temples, but need warmth for evening

Comfortable walking shoes broken in advance - you'll walk 5-8 km (3-5 miles) daily on cobblestones and steep historic streets

Light rain jacket or windbreaker - better than heavy coat since temperatures rarely drop below 12°C (54°F)

Moisturizer and lip balm - December's drier air (70% humidity vs summer's 85%) can cause unexpected skin dryness

Portable phone charger - you'll use GPS and translation apps constantly, and December's shorter daylight means more indoor time with poor natural lighting for photos

Small daypack - December weather encourages full-day walking tours rather than ducking between air-conditioned stops like summer

Insider Knowledge

Local families schedule their Macau visits in December specifically to avoid summer heat - book Portuguese restaurants 10-14 days ahead as Hong Kong residents flood in for Christmas holidays

Macau's casino shuttle buses run extended holiday schedules in December with pick-ups every 10-15 minutes instead of 20-30 minutes - use these for free transport between major attractions

December is wedding photo season for local Chinese couples who avoid summer's harsh lighting - expect crowds at Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square between 10am-4pm on weekends

Traditional Cantonese dim sum restaurants serve winter-specific dishes like snake soup and bird's nest in December - try these seasonal specialties unavailable other times of year

Avoid These Mistakes

Packing only summer clothes assuming Macau is always tropical - December cold fronts can drop temperatures 15°C (27°F) in 24 hours, catching visitors in shorts and t-shirts

Booking accommodation only for Christmas week itself - Hong Kong residents arrive from December 20th onward, driving up prices and crowds before the official holiday period

Planning outdoor activities after 5pm without checking sunset times - December daylight ends by 5:45pm, cutting short temple visits and heritage walks that start too late