Mexico
Mexico City in December
🌤️ Cool dry seasonPleasant and mostly dry. Watch for hazy air.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings · N95 mask for hazy days
Why December scores 8.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort9.5
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (22°C highs / 9°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 4.3°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~5 mm rain)
- Air quality5.3
- !Unhealthy for sensitive groups (PM2.5 ~38 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| Dec | Apr | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.5 Excellent | 9.2 Excellent |
| Season | 🌤️ Cool dry season | ☀️ Warm dry season |
| High / low | 22° / 9° | 28° / 13° |
| Rain | 5 mm | 24 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 4° | dew pt 4° |
| PM2.5 | 38 µg/m³ | 18 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Mexico City weather-station normals. Rainfall: Ciudad de México weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Mexico CityEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyMexico's high-altitude capital, built on the ruins of Aztec Tenochtitlan, with major museums, a historic centre, varied neighbourhoods and a celebrated street-food culture.
Día de la Virgen de GuadalupeEvery year12 December every year
Millions of pilgrims visit the basilica to honour Mexico's patron saint.
Why go: The area is extremely crowded from the 11th; plan around it.
Where: Basílica de Guadalupe
Coming up later
Semana Santa Passion playDate variesEaster week — usually March or April, date moves each year
A large re-enactment of the Passion of Christ staged by local residents since 1843.
Why go: Crowds are enormous; go with care and minimal valuables.
Where: Iztapalapa
Independence Day (El Grito)Every yearNight of 15 September and 16 September every year
The President gives the Cry of Independence from the National Palace balcony, followed by fireworks; a military parade follows on the 16th.
Why go: The Zócalo is packed and access is controlled.
Where: Zócalo
Día de MuertosEvery year1–2 November every year, with altars and parades from late October
Families honour the dead with altars, marigolds and visits to cemeteries.
Why go: The large parade and public altars draw big crowds.
Where: Citywide, especially Zócalo, Coyoacán and Mixquic
Centro Histórico and Zócalo
The vast main square framed by the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, next to the Templo Mayor ruins.
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Mexico's foremost museum of pre-Hispanic cultures, including the Aztec Sun Stone.
💡 It is closed on Mondays and needs at least half a day.
Teotihuacan
An ancient city northeast of the capital with the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.
💡 Arrive at opening to avoid heat and crowds.
Museo Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo's Blue House in Coyoacán.
💡 Tickets usually sell out; book online in advance.
Xochimilco
Canals and floating gardens explored on colourful trajinera boats.
Chapultepec Park and Castle
A huge urban park with museums and a hilltop castle housing the National History Museum.
Tacos al pastor
Marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit and served with pineapple.
💡 Taquerías across the city, often open late
Tamales and atole
Steamed corn dough parcels with fillings, eaten with a hot corn drink, a classic breakfast.
💡 Street-corner vendors in the morning
Chilaquiles
Fried tortilla pieces simmered in red or green salsa, topped with cream and cheese.
Chiles en nogada
Stuffed poblano chillies in walnut sauce with pomegranate seeds.
💡 Seasonal in August and September
Pulque
A traditional fermented agave drink.
💡 Pulquerías in the Centro and other older neighbourhoods
Alebrijes
Brightly painted fantastical creatures, first created in papier-mâché by Mexico City artisan Pedro Linares.
💡 Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela
Lucha libre masks
Wrestling masks in the style of famous luchadores.
💡 Markets and stalls near Arena México
Mexican chocolate
Grainy table chocolate with cinnamon for making hot chocolate.
Mezcal
Agave spirit, mostly from Oaxaca, widely available in the city.