Things to Do in Chennai in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Chennai
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
84°F (28°C)
High Temp
71°F (21°C)
Low Temp
7.2 inches (183 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + After the punishing October-November monsoon, temperatures slide to a manageable 29°C (84°F) and midday strolls along Marina Beach become possible without risking heatstroke.
- + Hotel rates drop 25-40% from peak season, luxury beach resorts in ECR (East Coast Road) that block-book from October suddenly welcome walk-ins.
- + December mornings deliver the year's clearest skies for shooting Kapaleeshwarar Temple's gopuram against cobalt blue, visibility stretching 15 km (9.3 miles) across the Bay of Bengal.
- + Music season fires up mid-December, Carnatic concerts flood Mylapore mandapams with veena strings and mridangam drums from 7 PM every evening.
Considerations
- − Afternoon thunderstorms still strike 30-40% of days, usually between 2:30-4:30 PM, converting T. Nagar's shopping streets into ankle-deep rivers of rainwater swirling with flower garlands.
- − Mosquito density spikes after the monsoon, malaria risk doubles from dry-season levels, around the Adyar River.
- − From December 20th-January 5th domestic holiday crowds triple wait times at Saravana Bhavan and pack Marina Beach like a Mumbai local train.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December brings Chennai's best weather. The heavy monsoon gives way to a cooler, drier rhythm. This is the city's cultural peak. The Chennai Music Season fills temples and concert halls with Carnatic music from mid-December onward. Meanwhile, the festival of Karthigai Deepam illuminates older neighborhoods like Mylapore. Evenings feel wrapped in sound and light. Locals attend morning kutcheris and prepare for the year's end. The entire metropolis has a focused, celebratory energy.
Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram Day trip from Chennai by Private car with Guide
day_tripA day trip from Chennai to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram covers a millennium of Tamil art. You will see the sea-sculpted Shore Temple against the December sky. You will hear the rhythmic clack of handlooms in Kanchipuram's weavers' quarters. The air carries the scent of raw silk and temple incense. A private car lets you linger at Arjuna's Penance and explore the cool interiors of the Ekambareswarar Temple.
This trip packs ancient architecture and living craft traditions into one complete day.
Insider tip: Ask your guide to arrange a visit to a weaver's cooperative in Kanchipuram. See the process and learn the markers of genuine silk.
This month: The cooler, dry December weather makes walking at these outdoor sites far more comfortable.
Shopping and Bazaar trail in Chennai
otherThis shopping trail winds through Chennai's traditional bazaars. The lanes are dense and aromatic. You will smell jasmine garlands, sandalwood, and frying snacks. See towering piles of turmeric and vermilion powder in George Town. Feel the fine weave of Kanchipuram silk saris on Radhakrishnan Salai. Hear the calls of vendors in the flower markets of T. Nagar.
It is a hands-on trip into the city's commercial heart, from spice godowns to jewelry ateliers.
Insider tip: Carry a cloth bag. Many traditional shops still use old newspaper and string, which is difficult to manage on a long walk.
2-Night Private Taj Mahal and Agra Tour from Cruise Port
cruiseThis private tour goes from Chennai's port to Agra for a look at the Mughal empire. You will see the Taj Mahal's marble facade at sunrise. Feel the scale of Agra Fort's red sandstone walls. Taste the rich flavors of North Indian cuisine, a shift from Chennai's tangy food.
It is the most direct way for a cruise passenger to see a well-known monument without logistical trouble.
Insider tip: For the return flight, confirm your tour operator handles both airport transfers in Agra. Avoid confusion with local taxis.
This month: December mornings in Agra can be foggy. This may obscure dawn views of the Taj Mahal, though mist often burns off by mid-morning.
Chennai, Guided Birding And Birding Photo Trip With Spot Scope, 2 to 3 Hours
guided_experienceThis guided birding trip focuses on Chennai's wetlands and coastal groves. You will hear the sharp calls of kingfishers and the rustle of waders in marsh grass. Use a spot scope to see the flash of a white-throated kingfisher or the posture of a black-winged stilt.
It has a quiet counterpoint to urban energy, revealing an overlooked ecosystem.
Insider tip: Wear muted, earth-toned clothing and closed-toe shoes for uneven paths near water.
This month: December is peak season for migratory birds in Chennai. Spot species like the blue-tailed bee-eater or northern pintail.
Traditional Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Gayathri
foodHeld in a local home, this cooking class explores Tamil Brahmin cuisine. You will smell toasted mustard seeds crackling in oil. Taste the sour tang of tamarind in a simmering sambar. Feel the texture of rice dough for idlis. See the green of coriander chutney ground on a stone slab.
It gives hands-on understanding of the flavors defining Chennai's vegetarian food.
Insider tip: Come hungry. Ask questions about ingredient substitutions. Gayathri shares knowledge on local markets and seasonal produce.
British Architecture Walk in Chennai by Wonder tours
walking_tourThis walking tour traces the British Raj legacy. Walk the corridors of Chennai's Fort St. George and the avenues of the Esplanade. You will see the white neo-classical facade of the High Court. Hear echoes in cavernous Central Station. Feel the cool shade in the University of Madras senate house.
It frames the city's modern identity by walking through the foundations of its colonial past.
Insider tip: Carry water and a handkerchief. December is cooler. But the midday sun is still strong.
Where to Stay in Chennai in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
December 15 - January 15
Chennai Music Season
The planet's biggest Carnatic music festival runs mid-December through January. More than 2,000 concerts play across 50 venues, from temple courtyards to full concert halls. The 6 PM slot at Music Academy books the biggest stars, while 9 AM kutcheris at Parthasarathy Temple give intimate shows for 200 rupees.
Late November/Early December
Karthigai Deepam
The festival of lights lands in late November/early December, oil lamps line every Mylapore doorstep, turning lanes into rivers of firelight after sunset. Tiruvannamalai temple, three hours from Chennai, hosts the main event with a 2.6 ton ghee lamp visible from 15 km (9.3 miles) away.
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Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Reserve restaurants directly, not through apps, Saravana Bhavan knocks 20% off for cash payments during music season.
Ride the new Metro extension from Chennai Central to Mylapore, December traffic shrinks temple-hopping time from 45 minutes to 12 minutes.
Thekkan Cholai flower market opens at 4 AM in December, buy jasmine garlands before 6 AM for the freshest and cheapest blooms.
Weekday lunch thalis at Ratna Cafe come with unlimited refills, waiters keep serving until you physically wave them off.
Avoid These Mistakes
Marina Beach sunset bookings are pointless, the sun drops behind the city skyline, not the ocean. Sunrise is the shot worth chasing.
Leave shoes outside temples, most Chennai shrines demand barefoot entry, and December's wet stone floors are slick.
Don't assume Uber works everywhere, auto rickshaws beat app cars for speed and price during December traffic.
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