Kerala in December · Month Guide
Kerala in December: Weather, Backwaters & Festive Season
By Beauty of Bharat — India travel guide, every place, every flavour.
Guides covering all 36 States and UTs, researched from official sources and checked at publish time. Corrections welcome — see About Beauty of Bharat.
Kerala in December means mild, dry weather, calm backwaters, green hill stations and a festive season that runs from Christmas through New Year. The monsoon is over, humidity has dropped, and the state is at its most inviting: houseboats glide through Alleppey, tea gardens glow in Munnar, and Kochi and Varkala fill with visitors enjoying warm days and cooler evenings. The trade-off is peak season — the most popular places are busy and prices are at their highest — so the smart move is to book early and mix famous stops with quieter ones.
This guide covers December weather across Kerala's coast, hills and backwaters, the Alleppey houseboat experience, Munnar, Kochi, Varkala and Kovalam, the Christmas and New Year season, Kerala food in December, and practical tips. For the whole state, see our Kerala state guide, and for the wider month, our best places to visit in India in December guide.
December weather in Kerala
December is one of Kerala's most reliable months. The south-west monsoon is long gone and the retreating north-east monsoon has usually faded too, leaving sunny days, lower humidity and very little rain. The coast stays warm, the hills turn pleasantly cool, and evenings everywhere feel comfortable — the classic Kerala winter that draws visitors from colder parts of India and abroad.
| December in Kerala | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Coast (Kochi, Alleppey, Varkala) | Daytime typically 28–32°C, nights around 22–24°C, mostly dry |
| Hills (Munnar) | Daytime around 15–20°C, nights can drop towards 10°C — carry a jacket |
| Backwaters | Calm water, gentle breeze, ideal for houseboats and canoe rides |
| Rain | Uncommon in December, though a passing shower is still possible |
| Crowds | Peak season, busiest from Christmas week to New Year |
Pack light clothes for the coast, a warm layer for Munnar evenings, and something covering shoulders and knees for temples and churches. For the whole season, see our Kerala in winter guide.
Alleppey backwaters & houseboats in December
December is the prime month for the backwaters. The water is calm, the air is clear, and an overnight houseboat cruise from Alappuzha — better known as Alleppey — is the experience most December visitors remember best. A traditional kettuvallam drifts past paddy fields, canalside villages, coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets, with meals cooked on board and long, quiet stretches where the only sounds are birds and water.
December houseboats sell out early, especially over Christmas and New Year, and the best-maintained boats go first. An overnight cruise is the classic choice; a half-day shikara ride gives a lovely taste of the same landscape if time or budget is tight. See our Kerala backwaters planning guide and Alappuzha guide.
Munnar: tea gardens in cool December air
Munnar is Kerala's December contrast: while the coast is warm, the hill station sits cool and green, with misty mornings over rolling tea gardens. Daytime temperatures around 15–20°C make walking the estates, visiting viewpoints and exploring Eravikulam National Park genuinely pleasant, and the clear December skies give some of the year's best views across the Western Ghats.
December is also Munnar's busiest month, so expect company at famous viewpoints and book stays ahead; go early, and leave time for quieter estate roads. See our Munnar guide. Nights can feel genuinely cold by Kerala standards, so pack a proper jacket.
Kochi: history, harbour and the festive season
Kochi, the historic port city, is at its liveliest in December. Fort Kochi's Chinese fishing nets, colonial streets, art cafés and Kathakali performances are easy to enjoy in the mild weather, and the harbour area takes on a festive air as Christmas approaches. The city is also the natural gateway for a Kerala trip: fly in, spend a day or two by the harbour, then head south to the backwaters or east to the hills.
Walk Fort Kochi in the morning, watch the fishing nets at sunset, and try the waterfront seafood restaurants. Kochi's Christmas decorations and church services make it one of the best places in Kerala to spend the festive week. See our Kochi guide.
Varkala & Kovalam: Kerala's December beaches
Varkala is Kerala's most distinctive December beach: a long stretch of sand backed by red cliffs, with cafés and yoga shalas along the cliff top and a calmer shore below. December brings warm, swimmable days and a relaxed, traveller-friendly atmosphere that suits both first-timers and returning visitors. See our Varkala guide.
Further south, Kovalam offers a more resort-style December beach break, with crescent bays, lighthouse views and stays and restaurants within a short walk. Varkala suits a slower, cliff-top stay; Kovalam suits a classic beach holiday. Both are at their sunny best in December. Swim only where lifeguards are present, as currents vary by beach.
Thekkady & the quieter side of December
If Alleppey and Munnar feel too busy, Thekkady is the calmer December alternative: boat rides on Periyar Lake, spice garden walks, and Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances in the evenings. The weather is mild and the forest green after the rains. See our Thekkady guide.
Christmas & New Year in Kerala
Christmas is widely and warmly celebrated in Kerala, especially in Kochi and the central districts, where churches are decorated, star lanterns hang outside homes, carols are sung and midnight services on Christmas Eve draw large congregations. Visitors are welcome, but services are worship rather than shows — dress modestly, arrive early and ask before photographing inside. For the wider picture, see our Christmas in India: where to celebrate guide.
New Year's Eve in Kerala is livelier but less frenetic than in Goa: beach gatherings at Kovalam and Varkala, hotel celebrations in Kochi, and houseboat parties on the backwaters. If you are staying through the new year, see our best places to celebrate New Year in India guide. Book your plan and return transport in advance — houseboats for 31 December sell out first.
What to eat in Kerala in December
December is a wonderful month to eat in Kerala. The festive season brings Christmas specialities — plum cake from Kochi's bakeries is a local institution — alongside the everyday classics: appam with stew, puttu and kadala curry, Malabar biryani, and karimeen pollichathu, the pearl-spot fish wrapped in banana leaf. A sadya, the traditional feast served on a banana leaf, is worth seeking out at a good local restaurant.
On a houseboat, meals are cooked on board, usually fresh local fish and Kerala-style curries. Eat where locals eat when you can, and treat any price you read as a rough estimate in peak season.
Practical tips for Kerala in December
Book early — really early. December is peak season; houseboats, popular stays, flights and trains sell out weeks ahead. For Christmas week and New Year's Eve, book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Travel early in the month if you can. Early December gives you the same weather with noticeably smaller crowds and better prices than the festive fortnight.
Plan a route, not a list. A classic December loop is Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Varkala or Kovalam, moving steadily south and finishing at the beach.
Pack for two climates. Light clothes for the coast and backwaters, a proper jacket for Munnar nights, and modest clothing for temples and churches.
Sort transport before the night out. Taxis are scarce around popular beaches and towns after dark in the festive week; agree fares or use reputable operators in advance.
Budget honestly. December costs are the year's highest. Keep a buffer for the festive week, and confirm houseboat inclusions — meals, routes and cruising hours — before paying.
Kerala in December rewards the traveller who plans the logistics and then slows down: warm days, calm water, green hills and a festive season that feels genuinely local.
Watch & Feel the Place: Kerala in December on Film
Two films to feel Kerala before you go: a Kerala Tourism look at the backwaters and a full Alleppey houseboat cruise. Press play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Kerala?
Yes — December is one of the best months to visit Kerala. The monsoon is over, days are warm and mostly dry, humidity is lower than in the wet months, and the state is in festive mood for Christmas and New Year. The only downsides are peak-season crowds at famous spots and higher prices, so book early.
What is the weather like in Kerala in December?
Pleasantly warm: coastal areas typically see daytime temperatures around 28–32°C with cooler nights near 22–24°C, while Munnar in the hills is much cooler, around 15–20°C by day and sometimes near 10°C at night. Rain is uncommon in December, though a passing shower is still possible.
Is December good for an Alleppey houseboat trip?
Yes — December is prime houseboat season. The backwaters are calm, the weather is dry and comfortable, and an overnight cruise is at its most enjoyable. Book well ahead, because the best boats sell out over Christmas and New Year.
Is Kerala crowded in December?
Popular places — Alleppey, Munnar, Kochi and Varkala — are busy, and the crowds peak from Christmas week through New Year's Eve. Early December is noticeably calmer, and travelling midweek or staying just outside the busiest towns helps.
What is Christmas like in Kerala?
Christmas is widely celebrated in Kerala, especially in Kochi and the central districts, with decorated churches, midnight services on Christmas Eve, star lanterns, carols and festive food. Visitors are welcome at services, but should dress modestly and arrive early.
How early should I book a Kerala trip in December?
As early as you can — weeks ahead for a normal December trip, and as soon as your dates are fixed for Christmas week or New Year's Eve. Houseboats, popular stays, flights and trains all sell out in the festive fortnight.
December in Kerala is warm water, green hills and festive lights all at once — pick your route and book early. For the bigger picture, see our best places to visit in India pillar guide.
Plan Your December Trip to Kerala
Start with a houseboat, add the hills, and finish at the beach — before the festive rush.
Browse more travel guides →