Things to Do in Chennai in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Chennai
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December marks the start of Chennai's tourist season with comfortable temperatures between 22-29°C (71-84°F) - warm enough for beach activities but significantly cooler than the brutal April-June heat. Early mornings hit around 22°C (71°F), which is genuinely pleasant for walking through neighborhoods like Mylapore or along Marina Beach before the sun climbs.
- The northeast monsoon typically wraps up by early December, meaning you get the post-rain greenery and cleaner air without the daily downpours. Those 10 rainy days listed are mostly leftover showers from November - by mid-December, you're looking at mostly clear skies. The city feels refreshed rather than waterlogged.
- December brings the Margazhi music season, arguably the most important cultural period in Chennai's calendar. From early morning concerts at 5am to evening performances at major sabhas like Music Academy and Narada Gana Sabha, the entire city transforms into a classical music festival. Even if you're not a Carnatic music enthusiast, the energy is infectious and you'll find affordable or free performances everywhere.
- Beach weather is actually ideal - the Bay of Bengal calms down significantly after monsoon, and that 70% humidity, while present, is offset by consistent sea breezes along the coast. Locals flock to Elliot's Beach and Besant Nagar in the evenings, and you can actually enjoy outdoor dining at beach shacks without melting into your chair. The UV index of 8 is high but manageable with basic precautions.
Considerations
- December is peak wedding season in Chennai, which means hotel rates spike 30-50% compared to September-October, particularly on weekends. Properties near major wedding venues in areas like T Nagar and Adyar get booked months ahead by families. If you're budget-conscious, you'll need to book at least 8-10 weeks out or accept staying further from central neighborhoods.
- The Margazhi season, while culturally rich, creates genuine logistical challenges. Traffic around sabhas becomes nightmarish between 6-9pm, auto-rickshaw availability drops as locals attend concerts, and restaurants near performance venues get packed. If classical music isn't your thing, you might find the city's obsession with it a bit overwhelming - it dominates conversations and newspaper coverage.
- That 70% humidity is persistent and, combined with urban heat island effects in concrete-heavy areas like Parrys Corner or George Town, can feel oppressive by midday. The temperature might read 29°C (84°F), but it feels closer to 33°C (91°F) in crowded markets. Visitors from dry climates consistently underestimate how draining this humidity becomes after several days of sightseeing.
Best Activities in December
Heritage Walking Tours in George Town and Mylapore
December mornings between 6:30-9:30am offer the only comfortable window for exploring Chennai's dense heritage neighborhoods on foot. George Town's colonial architecture and Mylapore's temple streets are best experienced before the sun peaks and humidity climbs. The post-monsoon air quality is noticeably better than summer months, and early morning means you'll see neighborhood life - flower market vendors, coffee stalls opening, temple rituals - without the midday traffic chaos. These walks typically cover 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) over 2-3 hours.
Mahabalipuram Day Trips
The 60 km (37 mile) drive south to Mahabalipuram is infinitely more pleasant in December than during monsoon when the East Coast Road floods regularly. The Shore Temple and Five Rathas are outdoor monuments with minimal shade, so December's 29°C (84°F) highs beat the 38°C (100°F) you'd face in May. Sea breezes make the beach area genuinely comfortable, and the Bay of Bengal is calm enough for safe swimming at Mahabalipuram Beach. Most visitors spend 6-8 hours including travel time.
Carnatic Music Concert Attendance
This is the one month where attending a classical music concert shifts from tourist activity to genuine cultural immersion. The Margazhi season runs roughly December 15 - January 15, with hundreds of performances across the city. Morning concerts at sabhas start as early as 5am and are surprisingly well-attended. Even if you know nothing about Carnatic music, the atmosphere in venues like Narada Gana Sabha or Krishna Gana Sabha is remarkable - multi-generational audiences, intense appreciation, intermission chai sessions where strangers debate ragas.
Marina Beach and Besant Nagar Evening Visits
Chennai's beaches come alive after 4pm when temperatures drop to around 26°C (79°F) and sea breezes kick in. Marina Beach, one of the world's longest urban beaches at 13 km (8 miles), transforms into a massive social gathering with families, food vendors, and kite flyers. December's calmer seas mean you can actually wade safely, though swimming is officially discouraged due to currents. Besant Nagar Beach has a more relaxed vibe with better food options at Elliot's Beach. Plan 2-3 hours for the full experience.
Food Market Tours in Mylapore and T Nagar
December brings specific seasonal produce and the city's markets are at their most vibrant post-monsoon. Mylapore's Luz Church Road market and T Nagar's Panagal Park area offer concentrated food experiences - fresh coconuts, December mangoes (yes, there are varieties that peak now), traditional sweets prepared for Margazhi season. The cooler mornings make market exploration actually pleasant rather than an endurance test. These are working markets, not tourist attractions, which is precisely the point.
Guindy National Park Morning Visits
This 2.7 sq km (1.04 sq mile) protected forest inside the city limits is best visited in December's cooler mornings when wildlife is most active. The park opens at 9am, but arriving right at opening means you might spot blackbucks, spotted deer, and various bird species before the heat drives them to shade. It's a genuine break from Chennai's concrete intensity, and December's post-monsoon greenery makes it particularly lush. Plan 2-3 hours for a thorough visit including the snake park and children's park if traveling with kids.
December Events & Festivals
Margazhi Music and Dance Festival
This is Chennai's defining cultural event, running roughly December 15 through January 15 with the peak happening in late December. Dozens of sabhas (cultural organizations) host hundreds of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam dance performances across the city. Major venues like Music Academy in T Nagar, Narada Gana Sabha in Alwarpet, and Krishna Gana Sabha in T Nagar run concerts from 5am through 10pm daily. The morning concerts, called kutcheris, are particularly special - watching a packed hall at 6am listening to a two-hour alapana is quintessentially Chennai. Many performances are free or low-cost, though premium evening slots featuring famous artists require tickets.
Christmas Celebrations in Santhome and Luz
Chennai has a significant Christian population, and December 24-25 sees beautiful celebrations at historic churches. Santhome Cathedral Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Thomas, holds midnight mass that draws thousands. Luz Church in Mylapore, one of the oldest churches in Chennai dating to 1516, decorates elaborately. The neighborhoods around these churches come alive with food stalls, carol singing, and a genuinely festive atmosphere that's less commercial than Western Christmas celebrations. Even if you're not Christian, the architectural beauty and community energy make these worth experiencing.