Taiwan Weather in December

December is a great time to visit Taiwan. The weather is mild, with little rain and stunning red maple leaves in national parks. Early December can even bring warmer winter days.

With Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, Taiwan gets especially busy at the end of December. Crowds peak around December 23 and continue into the following weeks. Popular spots would be filled with crowds, so we recommend booking early to secure better prices on hotels and transportation.

Weather Averages in December: 

• Temperature range: 18–22°C (65–72°F)
• High feels like temperature: 23°C (73°F)
• Rainfall: 6 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 8
• Sunshine hours/day: 4
• Humidity: 75% (generally comfortable across the entire island)

Content Preview

• December Climate Comparison
• The Best Things to Do in Taiwan in December
• Festivals and Events that may Impact Your Trip
• What to Wear in December
• Recommended Tours for Taiwan in December

December Climate Comparison (Averages) for Taiwan’s Top Tourism Areas

December is winter in Taiwan. But temperatures are generally mild with the occasional chance of a warmer day. This makes Taiwan really pleasant in December.

On top of that, December is one of the drier months of the year. This means you will be able to explore without much chance of heavy rain. However, humidity is high at 75%, this may make you feel a bit colder than the actual temperature.

The Best Things to Do in Taiwan in December

December is busy with plenty of festive Christmas activities, outdoor destinations, and fireworks displays on New Year's Eve. Many locals celebrate Christmas, offering plenty of festive events to enjoy. Add in spectacular fireworks displays, and Taiwan becomes a fantastic place to finish off your year.  On top of these, the mild weather is comfortable for both outdoor and indoor activities.

1. Admire the Famous Jiqin Christmas Alley in Taipei

Jiqin Village in Beitou District of Taipei city is known throughout Taiwan as the home of Christmas Alley. For the past 16 years, people living in the neighborhood have created a festive atmosphere. They put up beautiful Christmas trees and decorations outside. 

This tradition was started by Father Lin Gongzhao of San’ai Church. He was the first to move the church's Christmas tree outside in 1999. Soon, local neighbors followed and got into the spirit!

Today, you can enjoy beautiful lights and decorations that light up the entire alley. The glimmering lights and displays will blow you away, and make for the perfect evening stroll in a local Taiwanese neighborhood. 

Generally you can see the lights in full from around a week before Christmas until Chinese New Year. 

2. Walk through Hongye Park's Fall Maples

Even in December, Taiwan still has stunning fall colors thanks to its mild weather. If you're chasing red leaves, head to Hongye Park in Tainan City.

Hongye literally means red leaf. As the name suggests, Hongye Park is all about fiery red maple trees. Thanks to its high altitude, the colors peak later in the year—mid to late December is the best time to visit.

For a scenic walk, take the Central Trail. It connects Guanziling Old Street to a mountain viewing platform, with plenty of great photo spots along the way.

Lately, the park has planted nectar plants, so you'll likely spot butterflies fluttering around. And if you're up for some relaxation, Guanziling's famous mud hot springs are just nearby. The mud is said to be great for your skin.

3. Get in the Christmas Mood at a Christmas Market

There are a few Christmas markets that are held in Taiwan in December. We would especially recommend the German Christmas Market or the Xinzhongshan Christmas Market (both in Taipei). Each of these attracts lots of visitors. This is a great way to get into the festive spirit while on holiday in Taiwan. 

Even through Christmas is a working day, there is definitely Christmas spirit in Taiwan. Taiwan is home to many Christians, and cities work to put up festive decorations throughout the island. 

Christmas decorations at Taipei

Some of the markets raise money for a local Taiwanese charity, but all of them bring Taiwanese and international visitors together. There are also some international as well as local Taiwanese snacks and products for sale. 

Dates and locations for 2025 are yet to be confirmed. If you'd like to visit a Christmas market while in Taiwan, China Highlights can help you arrange this. 

4. View New Year's Fireworks at the Iconic Taipei 101

Taipei is a popular destination for New Year’s Eve. There are a few spots at which you can enjoy fireworks on the evening of December 31. The iconic Taipei 101 is probably the best known and one of the most impressive fireworks show. The show is a combination of fireworks and LED lights, starts from 00:00 and lasts about 6 minutes. Contact us 3-6 months earlier to book a hotel room with good views to see the spectacular fireworks without waiting in the cold wind for 5-6 hours. 

New Year's Eve Fireworks Show at Taipei 101

Another location to see fireworks in Taipei is Miramar Mall. There is also an earlier fireworks display at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf. This usually starts at 8.25pm making it the more popular one for families. 

For those in Taichung, there is usually a concert with fireworks that starts around 7pm at Taichung Central Park and at Lipao Land. 

Festivals and Events that may Impact Your Trip

New Year's Day (January 1) is a public holiday in Taiwan. We recommend planning ahead if you are hoping to visit Taiwan for New Year’s Eve. Some smaller restaurants, shops, or attractions might be closed. Your hotel can help you call ahead to double check. 

What to Wear in December

Given Taiwan's mild winter conditions, we suggest packing a number of light layers. Bringing a light coat might be useful towards the end of December and into the evenings.

For other occasions and during the day, a light coat is probably not needed. You will likely be fine with a jumper or a sweater on jeans or trousers.

Make sure you have sunscreen, an umbrella, a hat, and sunglasses. This combination of items should see you through the occasional shower or sunny day. Supportive footwear is also important to ensure you can explore as much as you want. 

Recommended Tours for Taiwan in December

The whole of Taiwan is great to visit in December. To help you choose what to see and where to go, check out our most popular Taiwan tours. We particularly recommend one of these most popular tours:

• Classic Taiwan: 7-Day Classic Taiwan Tour
• The Essence of Taiwan: 9-Day Taipei, Jiufen, Taichung, Puli, Alishan, Chiayi, Taipei, Pingxi and Yangmingshan Tour
• 1-Day Private Yangmingshan Volcano & Beitou Hot Spring Tour

If you don’t see exactly your ideal itinerary, contact us to begin a tour inquiry. China Highlights' Taiwan experts are able to put together your ideal Taiwan experience. Let us know your interests, what requirements you have, and how long you would like to visit Taiwan. Our team can then work on making your Taiwan wishes come true!

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Taiwan

For a summary, see The Best Times to Visit Taiwan.