Early winter · Weather & things to do
Santa Fe in December
This is the coldest month in Santa Fe: highs average 40°F (5°C) and lows 19°F (-7°C), with about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 55/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 40°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.9 in (24 mm)
- Humidity
- 60%
- Cloud cover
- 44%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 36 min
- Comfort score
- 55/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 40°F (5°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 19°F (-7°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April & May and August – October.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 36 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 77/100 in November to 55/100.
- Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Santa Fe & Albuquerque route is planned for Mid-Dec – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 19°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Santa Fe in December
With highs near 40°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Focused collection of O'Keeffe's paintings and her New Mexico landscapes.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 40°F.
Palace of the Governors
Adobe seat of government from the 1610s, now a history museum; Native artists sell jewelry under its portal.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
La Choza
The Shed's sister restaurant near the Railyard, with the same chile and blue corn enchiladas.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 40°F.
Canyon Road
Half-mile lane packed with about 100 galleries in adobe houses.
Canyon Road Farolito Walk
On Christmas Eve, the gallery street fills with walkers, carolers, small bonfires and thousands of candlelit farolitos.
Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return
Immersive art installation inside a Victorian house with secret passages.
Nearby in December
- Abiquiú in December~42 mi · highs 43°F, 1.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Taos in December~54 mi · highs 40°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Albuquerque in December~58 mi · highs 48°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Aspen in December~247 mi · highs 30°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 6°C (10°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,972 m to Santa Fe's ~2,132 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Santa Fe in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Santa Fe?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 55/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and August – October. Expect highs of 40°F (5°C) and 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow. Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Santa Fe in December?
Average highs are 40°F (5°C) and average lows 19°F (-7°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Santa Fe in December?
Not much: about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 13.3 in (338 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Fe in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 19°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Santa Fe & Albuquerque Mid-Dec – early Jan
Planning Santa Fe in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.