Early winter · Weather & things to do
Sedona in December
This is the coldest month in Sedona: highs average 51°F (10°C) and lows 29°F (-2°C), with about 2.0 in (51 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 71/100, 10th of 12.
- Avg high
- 51°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Rain
- 2.0 in (51 mm)
- Humidity
- 62%
- Cloud cover
- 45%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 40 min
- Comfort score
- 71/100 · Good
What December feels like
Cool days top out near 51°F (10°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Average lows of 29°F (-2°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Rain is moderate at about 2.0 in (51 mm) for the month.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are March – May and September – November.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 29°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 40 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 95/100 in November to 71/100.
- Our Grand Canyon & Arizona route recommends Mar – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 51°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Sedona in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Elote Cafe
Chef Jeff Smedstad's modern Mexican cooking; the roasted-corn elote is a staple.
Pink Jeep Tours
Open-air off-road tours over the red rocks, running since 1960.
Why now December scores 71/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Chapel built into red-rock buttes in 1956, with wide valley views.
Page Springs Cellars
Creekside winery pouring Arizona Rhône-style wines 20 minutes from town.
Cathedral Rock Trail
Short, steep scramble up slickrock to a saddle between red spires.
Why now Highs near 51°F and 2.0 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Nearby in December
- Grand Canyon in December~88 mi · highs 52°F, 1.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Papago Park & Camelback in December~98 mi · highs 65°F, 1.2 in rain · 8°C (14°F) warmer by day, drier
- Phoenix in December~100 mi · highs 66°F, 1.2 in rain · 8°C (15°F) warmer by day, drier
- Zion in December~182 mi · highs 41°F, 1.4 in rain or snow · 5°C (10°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,836 m to Sedona's ~1,325 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.
Sedona in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Sedona?
It's middling, scoring 71/100. The best months are March – May and September – November, at up to 100. Expect highs of 51°F (10°C) and 2.0 in (51 mm) of rain. Our Grand Canyon & Arizona route recommends Mar – May, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Sedona in December?
Average highs are 51°F (10°C) and average lows 29°F (-2°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Sedona in December?
Not much: about 2.0 in (51 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 18.0 in (456 mm).
What should I pack for Sedona in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 51°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Sedona in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.