Things to Do in Tucson in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Tucson
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
18°C (65°F)
High Temp
4°C (40°F)
Low Temp
23 mm (0.9 inches)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Watch for frost warnings for early morning drivers. Bridges on I-10 and Oracle Road ice over when temperatures hit 0°C (32°F). Drive slow.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December hands you 18°C (65°F) days. That's hiking weather in Saguaro National Park. Summer's 40°C+ (104°F+) furnace is gone. Walk among giants without wilting.
- + Tucson skies stay clear. The Santa Catalina Mountains glow at sunset. December's low humidity keeps colors sharp. No haze, just fire in the the sky.
- + Winter produce peaks. Oro Valley and St. Philip's Plaza markets overflow. Blood oranges and Ruby Red grapefruits shine. Taste the desert's sweet side.
- + Hotel rates fall 30-40%. Menus stay full. Cafe Poca Cosa seats you faster. Same food, half the wait.
Considerations
- − Nights drop to 4°C (40°F). Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails patios get chilly. Bring that jacket. Romance needs warmth.
- − Outdoor pools shut. Frost delays tee times at Sewailo Golf Club. Morning starts move later. Plan accordingly.
- − Daylight shrinks to 10.5 hours. Start Sabino Canyon by 8 AM. Shadows lengthen fast. Finish before dark.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Saguaro National Park Hiking Trails
December turns the desert into a hiker's great destination. Temperatures hover around 18°C (65°F) while summer blasts past 43°C (110°F). Saguaros cut sharp silhouettes against crystalline skies, and desert mule deer wander openly in the cool air. The 5 km (3.1 mile) Hugh Norris Trail in the west district gives the best payoff-to-effort ratio, serving 360-degree views from the 1,400 m (4,600 ft) ridge.
Booking Tip: Start hiking by 8 AM. Trails are empty then. The park crams 30% of annual visitors into two spring months, so December gifts you quiet paths and open parking at Signal Hill. Layer up. It can be 4°C (40°F) at sunrise, but you'll peel down to shirtsleeves by 10 AM.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Outdoor Exhibits
December's 70% humidity beats summer's 15%. Desert animals move. Mountain lions pace enclosures instead of hiding under rocks. Raptor free-flight shows go at 10 AM and 2 PM; Harris's hawksies fly better in cool air. Warm Decembers spark early wildflowers, splashing color across the 9 km (5.6 mile) grounds.
Booking Tip: Reserve timed-entry tickets online 2-3 days ahead. Phoenix day-trippers still swarm December weekends. The 21-acre grounds demand 3-4 hours minimum. The cafe pours the best prickly pear lemonade you'll sip all trip.
Mission Garden Winter Harvest Tours
Tucson's living agricultural museum reveals 4,000 years of desert farming in December. Mission-era orange trees drip fruit. Heirloom lettuces grow under mesquite shade. The 6-acre site shows how Tohono O'odham farmers once winter-harvested, and you can bite into heritage wheat that fed Spanish colonists.
Booking Tip: Saturday tours start at 10 AM. Tortillas made from heritage corn arrive hot. Come early for samples. The garden stands exactly where Spanish missionaries planted orchards in the 1600s, so it's both historic site and working farm.
Tucson Mountain Park Sunset Photography
December air is the year's clearest for shooting the 1,200 m (3,900 ft) peaks as they flush purple at dusk. Low winter humidity keeps the Santa Catalina and Rincon ranges razor-sharp against orange skies. Tripods claim Gates Pass by 4:30 PM, yet the pullout 1 km (0.6 miles) west delivers the same view minus the crowd.
Booking Tip: Pack a jacket. Winds rise after sunset at 1,200 m (3,900 ft). Temperatures dive 10°C (18°F) in 30 minutes. Early December's full moon pops over the mountains around 6 PM. Stay for the bonus shot.
Fourth Avenue Winter Cycling Tours
Dry streets and mild December air invite you onto Tucson's 193 km (120 miles) of bike paths without risking heatstroke. The 13 km (8 mile) Rillito River path links to downtown's protected lanes, rolling you past century-old Sonoran row houses on Fourth Avenue most tourists never notice. Winter light angles well for neon sign photos after dark.
Booking Tip: Bike share docks sit every 500 m (0.3 miles). Low December crowds mean bikes are waiting. Begin at Mercado San Agustin for breakfast burritos, then ride the whole route. You'll log 20 km (12 miles) without sweating in 18°C (65°F) weather.
Where to Stay in Tucson in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Tucson International Mariachi Conference
The planet's biggest mariachi fiesta spans two December weekends. Student groups compete downtown at the Convention Center while pros play venues from South Tucson to Oro Valley. Free shows fill Mercado San Agustin's courtyard. But the Saturday night Espectacular Concert at the Convention Center sells out months ahead.
Mid December
Las Posadas Processions
Tucson's Mexican-American barrios reenact Mary and Joseph's lodging search. Candle-lit processions wind through Barrio Viejo. Singers chant villancicos beside 1850s adobes. At Mission San Xavier del Bac, 2,000 people trail costumed walkers around the white-washed mission beneath desert stars.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals hit Tucson's farmers markets at 8 AM sharp. By 10 AM the good citrus is gone. Vendors start packing up. Set your alarm.
The streetcar runs free on select December weekends. Check the city's website. Riding from Mercado to University without paying feels like winning. Hop on.
Book Christmas Eve dinner reservations by December 1st. Even casual spots like El Charro Cafe fill up. Many restaurants close entirely. Plan early.
Desert museum members get guest passes. Ask at your hotel if any staff have memberships. Locals share these freely. Just ask.
The best tamales appear at South Tucson churches the first two December weekends. Parishioners sell them after Spanish-language masses. Follow the scent.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never assume December means warm weather. Packing only shorts and flip-flops leaves you freezing at 4°C (40°F) night events. Pack layers.
Skip hotels near the airport to save money. You're 15 km (9.3 miles) from everything interesting. Taxi costs erase any savings. Stay central.
Don't try to see both Saguaro National Park districts in one day. They're 50 km (31 miles) apart through city traffic. Pick one. Explore properly.
Skip Biosphere 2 on a Monday. It's closed. The 45 km (28 mile) drive north feels longer when you hit the locked gate. Check hours.
Book Experiences in Tucson
Top-rated things to do in Tucson this December
Explore More Activities in Tucson
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Tucson.
See All Tucson Tours on Viator