December 2026

Where is Hot in December from the UK?

December offers a genuine choice: chase the sun with Tenerife, Dubai, or Barbados — or embrace the cold with Lapland's Northern Lights and reindeer. Both are extraordinary in their own way.

Best Destinations in December at a Glance

1Tenerife
21°C avg high4h 05m from UKBest from: Any UK airport

Closest reliable winter sun. Christmas in 21°C warmth.

2Dubai
25°C avg high7h 15m from UKBest from: LHR / MAN / BHX

Coolest, most comfortable month in Dubai. Spectacular Christmas and New Year events.

3Lapland
-10°C avg high3h 00m from UKBest from: LHR / LGW / MAN

Northern Lights, reindeer, huskies, and snow. The definitive December experience for families.

Where to Go in December — Full Destination Guides

Tenerife warmth and Atlantic blue in December with Mount Teide in the background

Tenerife

21°C / 70°Favg high
6hrs/daysunshine
20°Csea
4h 05m from southern airports; 4h 30m from Scotlandflight

Why December?

Tenerife in December is the closest reliable winter sun escape from the UK. Temperatures average 20–22°C — warm enough for sitting outside, walking, and enjoying the resort atmosphere. Christmas week and New Year are the most expensive periods of the Tenerife year — book well in advance or expect to pay premium prices. Puerto de la Cruz in the north holds a charming traditional Christmas market. Las Canteras beach in Gran Canaria is particularly popular for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The Canarian Christmas tradition of lighting bonfires on Christmas Eve is a distinctive local event.

Who it suits

Families who want a warm Christmas escape, couples seeking a romantic New Year in the sun, retirees beginning winter long-stays, and those who simply want to escape the UK winter for a reliable dose of warm weather.

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Honest warning: December is peak pricing for Tenerife — particularly Christmas week and New Year. Prices can be 50–100% above November levels for the same accommodation. Book 12–16 weeks ahead. The Christmas and New Year period is extremely popular with British and German long-stay visitors, so resort atmospheres are very full.

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Lanzarote volcanic landscape with stark black lava fields and clear winter sky

Lanzarote

Photo on Pexels

20°C / 68°Favg high
6hrs/daysunshine
19°Csea
3h 55m from southern airports; 4h 20m from Scotlandflight

Why December?

Lanzarote in December is warm, beautiful, and less busy than Tenerife at Christmas. The volcanic landscape looks extraordinary in winter light — the black lava fields of Timanfaya, the white villages, and the turquoise sea make for remarkable photography. The César Manrique legacy (Jameos del Agua, Fundación César Manrique, the Cactus Garden at Guatiza) is best explored in December's comfortable temperatures. Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca are the main resort areas. The entire island is well-connected from most UK airports.

Who it suits

Couples who prefer Lanzarote's architectural and landscape distinctiveness to Tenerife's more developed resort scene. Photographers and artists. Cyclists who want quiet December roads in 20°C conditions. Those who want a Canary Islands December at a slightly lower price point than Tenerife.

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Honest warning: December winds on Lanzarote can be strong — the island's flat topography offers little shelter. Pack a windproof layer regardless of the sunshine. Some accommodation in more remote areas may have limited availability in December due to long-stay tenants.

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Dubai spectacular fireworks over the Burj Khalifa on New Year's Eve

Dubai

25°C / 77°Favg high
8hrs/daysunshine
24°Csea
7h 15m from UK airportsflight

Why December?

December is when Dubai becomes genuinely perfect. Temperatures average 24–26°C — warm and sunny without any humidity. The Dubai Shopping Festival begins in late December, and the New Year's Eve fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa is one of the most spectacular in the world — watched by millions live and broadcast globally. The National Day celebrations (December 2nd) are a distinctive local spectacle. Beach clubs, outdoor restaurants, and the full range of Dubai experiences are all at their best.

Who it suits

New Year's Eve travellers who want the world's most spectacular fireworks show. Families who want Christmas and New Year in guaranteed sunshine. Luxury travellers who want the Dubai experience at its most polished. Those visiting friends and family based in the UAE.

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Honest warning: Dubai New Year's Eve is one of the most in-demand travel periods of the year globally. Book 6 months ahead for New Year's Eve in Dubai — good hotels sell out that far in advance. Christmas week pricing is also significantly elevated. Budget very carefully for this period.

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Barbados platinum west coast beach with Christmas sunshine and calm turquoise sea

Barbados

Photo on Pexels

28°C / 82°Favg high
8hrs/daysunshine
26°Csea
9h 20m from LGW; 9h 45m from MANflight

Why December?

December is the beginning of Barbados peak season — the dry season is established, trade winds keep temperatures comfortable at 27–30°C, and the island puts on its finest festive display. The Sandy Lane hotel's Christmas tree lighting is a social event; the St. James and Holetown area on the west coast is particularly active over Christmas. New Year's Eve on the beach in Barbados (with fireworks over the western coastline) is one of the most sought-after travel experiences in the Caribbean.

Who it suits

Luxury and glamour-oriented travellers who want a genuinely spectacular Caribbean Christmas. Those who have the budget for one of the world's most desirable holiday destinations at its annual peak. Families who want a warm, reliable, English-speaking Caribbean destination for the holidays.

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LGWMANLHRBHX+ others via hub

Honest warning: December Barbados is extremely expensive — one of the most expensive holiday destinations in the world during Christmas week. Luxury villas in St. James can command rates of several thousand pounds per night. Book 6 months in advance minimum for preferred accommodation. The island is significantly less affordable at Christmas than at any other time of year.

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Lapland Finland winter landscape with snow-covered trees and Northern Lights in the sky

Lapland

Photo on Pexels

-10°C / 14°Favg high
2hrs/daysunshine
0°Csea
3h 00m from LHR/LGW/MAN to Rovaniemi; 2h 40m to Ouluflight

Why December?

Lapland in December is a completely different kind of holiday — the antithesis of a sun escape, and extraordinary for it. Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi, Saariselkä, Levi) and Swedish Lapland (Abisko, Åre) are in polar night in December with only a few hours of twilight each day. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible on clear nights — December is one of the best months for Northern Lights viewing as the nights are at their longest. Reindeer safaris, husky sled runs, snowmobile tours, and the Rovaniemi Santa Claus Village experience make it a bucket-list December destination, particularly for families with children.

Who it suits

Families with children for whom the Father Christmas village experience is magical. Couples who want the Northern Lights as a bucket-list experience. Winter activity enthusiasts who want dog sledding, snowmobiling, and skiing in genuine Arctic conditions. Anyone who wants something genuinely extraordinary and different from a beach holiday.

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Honest warning: -10°C to -25°C in Finnish Lapland in December is genuinely cold. Proper Arctic clothing (thermal base layers, mid layers, and a fully waterproof outer layer with hood) is essential — not optional. Tour operators providing activities supply overalls but the right base layers are your responsibility. Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed — clear skies are required. Book aurora alert apps to maximise your viewing chances.

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Practical Tips for December Travel

December is the most expensive month for UK holiday travel — Christmas and New Year create two distinct pricing peaks. Book at least 12–16 weeks ahead for any December travel. November and early January offer significantly better value for the same destinations.

Lapland packages are widely sold through UK tour operators (Inghams, Crystal Ski, TUI) and are a common Christmas present purchase. If buying as a gift, confirm availability before purchasing — good Lapland packages in December sell out months in advance.

Travel insurance is essential in December — cancellation risk is higher over Christmas (illness, family commitments, and adverse weather affecting UK departure airports). Ensure cancellation cover is adequate for the full trip cost.

For New Year's Eve, Dubai, Barbados, and Sydney are the three most sought-after global destinations. All three require very early booking — 6 months ahead for New Year's Eve is not excessive for popular hotels and resorts.

Top Destinations by Airport — December

Direct flight availability and times from all 18 UK airports.

LHRLondon Heathrow
  • Dubai7h 15m
  • Tenerife4h 05m
  • Barbados9h 20m
LGWLondon Gatwick
  • Tenerife4h 00m
  • Barbados9h 20m
  • Lapland3h 00m
MANManchester
  • Tenerife4h 20m
  • Dubai7h 20m
  • Lapland3h 10m
STNLondon Stansted
  • Tenerife4h 10m
  • Lanzarote3h 55m
  • Dubai7h 15m
LTNLondon Luton
  • Tenerife4h 00m
  • Lanzarote3h 50m
  • Dubai7h 10m
BRSBristol
  • Tenerife3h 50m
  • Lanzarote3h 45m
  • Dubai7h 20m via LHR
BHXBirmingham
  • Tenerife4h 15m
  • Dubai7h 15m
  • Barbados9h 30m
EMAEast Midlands
  • Tenerife4h 25m
  • Lanzarote4h 00m
  • Dubai7h 30m via LHR
LBALeeds Bradford
  • Tenerife4h 15m
  • Lanzarote4h 05m
  • Dubai7h 30m via LHR
LPLLiverpool
  • Tenerife4h 20m
  • Lanzarote4h 05m
  • Dubai7h 30m via LHR
NCLNewcastle
  • Tenerife4h 35m
  • Dubai7h 30m
  • Lanzarote4h 20m
EDIEdinburgh
  • Tenerife4h 30m
  • Dubai7h 30m
  • Lanzarote4h 20m
GLAGlasgow
  • Tenerife4h 35m
  • Dubai7h 35m
  • Lanzarote4h 25m
BFSBelfast International
  • Tenerife4h 30m
  • Lanzarote4h 20m
  • Dubai7h 40m via LHR
ABZAberdeen
  • Tenerife5h via LGW
  • Dubai8h 30m via LHR
  • Lanzarote5h via LGW
CWLCardiff
  • Tenerife4h 05m
  • Lanzarote3h 55m
  • Dubai7h 20m via LHR
SOUSouthampton
  • Tenerife4h 00m
  • Lanzarote3h 55m
  • Dubai7h 20m via LHR
LCYLondon City
  • Dubai7h 15m
  • Tenerife4h 20m via LGW
  • Lanzarote4h 10m via LGW

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Disclaimer: Temperature, sunshine, and sea temperature figures are historical monthly averages for popular resort areas and may vary significantly by location and year. Flight times are approximate direct flight durations from southern UK airports; times from northern airports will typically be 20–40 minutes longer. Not all airports listed fly direct to all destinations in all months — availability varies by airline, season, and year. Always check current schedules with airlines directly. Go Point Travel is not a travel agent or booking service. We do not arrange or sell travel. Prices change frequently; verify all details before booking. We may earn affiliate commissions on some links. Always check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before booking.