Things to Do in Puebla in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Puebla
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect weather for exploring - comfortable 20-23°C (68-73°F) afternoons with crystal clear skies and minimal rain (only 3 rainy days typical)
- Peak Christmas market season from December 8-23 transforms the zócalo into Mexico's most spectacular holiday celebration with 200+ vendor stalls
- Optimal conditions for Puebla's famous church hopping - no afternoon thunderstorms interrupting your visits to the city's 365+ colonial churches
- Posadas celebrations (December 16-24) offer authentic cultural immersion with neighborhood processions, piñatas, and traditional ponche navideño every evening
Considerations
- Accommodation prices increase 40-60% during Christmas weeks (December 20-January 2) with many boutique hotels requiring 3-night minimums
- Nighttime temperatures drop to 6°C (43°F) - you'll need warm layers for evening activities and early morning starts
- Peak domestic tourism means weekend crowds at Cholula pyramid and main churches, especially after December 15th
Best Activities in December
Cholula Archaeological Zone and Church Exploration
December's dry weather makes this the perfect month to climb the world's largest pyramid base (450m/1,476ft wide) without muddy conditions. Clear skies provide stunning views of snow-capped Popocatépetl volcano (5,426m/17,802ft away). The adjacent Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is beautifully decorated for Christmas. Early morning visits (8-10am) avoid crowds and take advantage of the crisp 15°C (59°F) temperatures before afternoon warmth.
Historic Center Walking Tours and Talavera Workshops
December's comfortable daytime temperatures (20-23°C/68-73°F) and low humidity make extended walking tours enjoyable. The historic center's 2,600+ colonial buildings are beautifully lit for Christmas, and many Talavera pottery workshops offer special December classes for holiday decorations. The dry weather means no rain interruptions during outdoor portions of ceramic painting sessions.
Africam Safari and Day Trip Adventures
December's mild temperatures and minimal rainfall create ideal conditions for this drive-through safari experience. Animals are more active in the cooler 20°C (68°F) weather, and clear skies provide excellent photography conditions. The 3km (1.9-mile) driving route takes 90 minutes without weather delays typical in rainy season.
Christmas Market Food Tours and Mercado Visits
December brings unique seasonal foods like ponche navideño (warm Christmas punch), buñuelos, and special mole preparations only available during holidays. The dry weather allows comfortable exploration of outdoor markets and street food stands. Evening mercado visits are pleasant with temperatures around 12°C (54°F) - perfect for hot foods and drinks.
Cuetzalan and Mountain Pueblo Day Trips
December's dry season makes the 2-hour drive to mountain pueblos like Cuetzalan much safer on winding roads. Clear weather reveals spectacular views of the Sierra Norte mountains from 1,000m (3,281ft) elevation. The cooler mountain temperatures (15-18°C/59-64°F) provide relief and coffee plantations offer special December harvest tours.
Volcano Viewing and Iztaccíhuatl Excursions
December offers the year's clearest views of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes due to low humidity and minimal cloud cover. The dry season allows access to higher viewing points at 3,000m (9,843ft) elevation with comfortable hiking temperatures of 10-15°C (50-59°F). Snow-capped peaks provide spectacular photography opportunities.
December Events & Festivals
Festival Navideño en el Zócalo
Puebla's main Christmas festival transforms the central plaza into a winter wonderland with over 200 artisan stalls, traditional food vendors, live music performances, and Mexico's largest outdoor nativity scene. The festival features nightly posadas reenactments and children's workshops.
Las Posadas Poblanas
Traditional Mexican Christmas celebrations featuring neighborhood processions with Mary and Joseph figures, caroling, piñata breaking, and communal sharing of ponche navideño and tamales. Each night features different barrio celebrations throughout the historic center.
Feria de la Esfera Navideña
Annual Christmas ornament fair at the Centro de Convenciones featuring handcrafted decorations, traditional Mexican Christmas crafts, and special Talavera pottery holiday pieces. Local artisans demonstrate traditional ornament-making techniques.