December marks the beginning of winter in Israel, bringing shorter days, cooler temperatures, occasional gray skies, and the first significant rainy periods of the season. But winter in Israel is very different from winter in much of Europe or North America. Many days are still mild and pleasant, especially along the Mediterranean coast, around the Dead Sea, and in the Negev Desert, while Jerusalem, the Galilee, and the higher parts of the country can feel considerably colder.
December is also one of the most atmospheric times of the year to experience Israel’s religious and cultural diversity. Christmas celebrations bring a special character to Christian sites and communities, while Hanukkah often falls during December as well, filling streets and homes with candles, traditional foods, and holiday events. Visiting places such as Jerusalem, Nazareth, and other historic religious sites during this period can feel particularly memorable.
An Israel December trip may not offer the predictable sunshine of spring or autumn, but it has plenty of advantages of its own. The cooler weather is excellent for exploring cities, archaeological sites, national parks, and desert landscapes, while rainy days provide a good opportunity to discover museums, markets, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
From winter hiking and desert adventures to Christmas celebrations, Hanukkah events, archaeological sites, food experiences, and even the possibility of snow in the far north, there is much more to December in Israel than many visitors expect.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Israel in December, including the weather, what to pack, where to go, seasonal events, and the best things to do during an Israeli winter.
December climate in Israel
December is the first of Israel’s three winter months, but it is often one of the most pleasant. Temperatures begin to drop and rain becomes more frequent, yet in most parts of the country the weather is still relatively mild, and long stretches of cold, gray days are uncommon.
Along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, daytime temperatures can reach around 19°C / 66°F, making it perfectly comfortable for sightseeing on many days. Evenings are cooler, particularly when it is windy or raining.
The mountainous regions are noticeably colder. In Jerusalem and the higher elevations of northern Israel, daytime temperatures are often around 10°C / 50°F or slightly higher, while nights can feel quite chilly. Warm clothing is therefore essential if your itinerary includes Jerusalem, the Galilee, or the Golan Heights.
December is also one of the wetter months of the year. Depending on the region, you can expect roughly 8–12 rainy days during the month. Israeli rain often arrives in relatively concentrated periods, however, so a rainy forecast does not necessarily mean an entire week of bad weather. It is quite common to have heavy rain followed by several clear and pleasant days.
Snow is rare across most of Israel, but there is a reasonable chance of snowfall on Mount Hermon during December, particularly later in the month. Occasionally, other high peaks in northern Israel may also receive snow.
The south of Israel is generally warmer and considerably drier. The Dead Sea, Eilat, and the Negev Desert can therefore be excellent additions to a December itinerary, with mild daytime temperatures that are particularly comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities.
Best places to visit in Israel in December
Eilat
While the rest of the country is in winter mode in December, Eilat has its own dry weather throughout the year. With an average of less than 1 rainy day in all of December, Eilat will be the best place to go if the weather forecast is stormy for a few days. Here, you can forget about the rain and enjoy the beautiful beaches, diving spots, and mountains all year round. In addition, the winter time is much less busy in Eilat, which will enable you to get better deals on hotels and attractions in the Red Sea paradise city.
Tel Aviv
Without a doubt, Tel Aviv is the city that offers the most indoor activities in the country, which makes it one of the best places to visit during stormy days. During your Tel Aviv trip, you can always find interesting museums, cool cafes, and great live shows, that will enable you to enjoy the city’s vibrant culture even on the coldest winter day. In addition, most people would agree that the city is even more impressive after dark, which makes the short days of December an advantage for travelers in Tel Aviv.
Jezreel Valley
The beautiful Jezreel Valley, which features great historical sites and natural wonders, is the region with the smallest amount of rainfall in Northern Israel, which makes it ideal to explore in the wintertime. At this time of the year, all of the valley’s agricultural fields turn green, and the flowers are in full bloom. Thus, December is a great time to go down to the valley and explore sites like Mount Gilboa and Tel Megiddo.
Holidays and festivals in Israel in December
Hanukkah
Hanukkah Holiday, also known as the Festival of Light, is an 8-day holiday, celebrated for the victory of the Hasomoneans in their revolt against the Greeks. During the revolt, which took place between 167-164 BC, the Hasomoneans managed to take back control of Jerusalem and the Temple. The time of the holiday is set at the day when the Temple was liberated from the Greeks.
The most known tradition of Hanukkah is lighting candles on every evening throughout the holidays. The candles are lit in a Hanukkiah Menorah, and gradually go from 1 candle on the first day to 8 candles on the final day of the holiday. Usually, many people gather to light the candles in their homes with family and friends, while some lighting ceremonies take place outside.
Hanukkah has two traditional dishes, which can be seen everywhere in Israel around the holiday. The first one is Levivah, a potato pancake that is also known as latkes. It is usually made of fried potatoes and sweet potatoes, mixed with some flour.
The other, more popular Hanukkah dish, is called Sufganiyah. The Sufganiyah is similar to doughnuts in many ways, as it is a fried round pastry, usually with a sweet filling. During the holiday, you can find it in every bakery in the country, as some bakeries make creative versions of Sufganiyot, with fillings such as chocolate, vanilla, pistachio cream, and many more.
Although the holiday of Hanukkah takes place for 8 days, it is not an official public holiday, which means that it doesn’t have any restrictions for travelers. Throughout the holiday, all shops and public transportation operate as usual.
Christmas
As a Jewish state, Israel is one of the rare countries where Christmas is generally not celebrated by most people. However, if you spend Christmas in Israel and you want to experience some of the holiday atmosphere, you can visit one of the cities and towns in Israel that have a substantial Christian population. Those include some villages in the Galilee, like Tarshiha and Mi’ilya, which hold popular Christmas markets. In addition, the cities of Jaffa, Nazareth, and Haifa, each with a Christian Arabic population, hold several Christmas-related events and Christmas markets.
Above all, probably the best place for Christmas in Israel is the Christian Quarter in the old city of Jerusalem, which is at its peak around the time of the holiday. The atmosphere here during Christmas is mesmerizing, as the wonderful setting of the old city emphasizes the festivities and joy of the holiday. The traditional market you can find here is full of great sights, flavors, and colors, with stalls of winter food and souvenirs, alongside live performances.
New Year’s Eve
Unlike Christmas, New Year’s Eve is celebrated throughout the country and is considered to be one of the best party nights of the year in Israel. As always, when it comes to parties in Israel, Tel Aviv is your best option. Here, you can find plenty of great New Year parties that will give you an epic way to start the new year on a high note. You can also find great parties outside of Tel Aviv, as new year celebrations are held in clubs and bars throughout the country.
The Holiday of Holidays Festival
The Holiday of Holidays is a festival held every year in Haifa, meant to display the character and diversity of Haifa as a city with a mixed population, where members of all religions live together peacefully, and to promote coexistence and tolerance between the city’s residents.
The name of the festival marks the religious holidays that take place in and around the month of December – the Jewish Hanukkah, the Christian Christmas, and the Islamic Eid al-Adha, known as the Feast of Sacrifice. The festival’s activities include shows, parades, concerts, art exhibitions, street performances, tours, conferences, fairs, holiday markets, and special activities for children.
Most of the holiday events are held in the German Colony and Wadi Nisnas neighborhoods, both in downtown Haifa. The festival is a great opportunity to experience the unique diversity of Haifa and learn about the different traditions of each of the city’s religions.
