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Things to Do in Georgia (USA) in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Georgia (USA)
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
64°F (18°C)
High Temp
41°F (5°C)
Low Temp
2.0 inches (51 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Mild days let you hike North Georgia trails without summer sweat or winter ice. Perfect weather. You can walk for hours. No frozen boots. No dripping forehead.
- + Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Lights Holiday Nights turns the city into a 2-million-bulb wonderland from mid-November through early January. The glow wraps every branch. Crowds come early. Bring a thermos. Stay late.
- + College football bowl season pumps electric energy into Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The SEC Championship atmosphere is memorable. Roars echo off the roof. Fans wear red and black. Worth the ticket.
- + Oyster season peaks along the coast. Head to Tybee Island's raw bars where locals slurp Atlantic bivalves pulled from waters 48 hours prior. Salt lingers on lips. Order a dozen. Squeeze lemon.
Considerations
- − Morning frost can kill outdoor plans before 10am. Savannah's famous squares stay gray and damp until the sun burns through. Wait for light. Carry coffee. Wear wool socks.
- − Holiday crowds swamp Atlanta between December 20-31. Traffic on I-285 becomes a parking lot and restaurant waits stretch past 90 minutes. Leave early. Book tables. Pack snacks.
- − North Georgia's mountain passes can ice over without warning. Route 180 to Brasstown Bald closes unpredictably after sudden temperature drops. Check forecasts. Carry chains. Turn back if glazed.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Georgia brings crisp, clean air. It is a welcome change from the lingering humidity. The scent of pine and woodsmoke fills Savannah's historic squares and Atlanta's steel canyons. Locals swap sweet tea for steaming mugs under twinkling lights. You will need a warm coat. Use it for quiet cobblestone lanes and lively city park villages. Two rhythms define the season. In Savannah, the Savannah Boat Parade of Lights is key. The dark river shimmers with shrimp boats draped in thousands of bulbs. They glide past old cotton warehouses. Carols mix with lapping water. Meanwhile, Atlanta's Christkindl Market transforms a downtown plaza. You will hear the clatter of ceramic mugs and the sizzle of bratwurst. The aroma of roasting almonds cuts the cold air. Visit Georgia in December for hushed beauty and warm festivity. The light is fleeting but impressive. Clear blue skies often give way to dramatic purple-clouded sunsets by late afternoon. It is good for long walks. You might hear oyster shells crunch underfoot or a distant church bell. The chill makes interior warmth feel earned. That contrast defines the season.
History of Savannah Walking Tour
walking_tourGo beyond the gardens and gates. Hear the stories in the cobblestones. A guide unpacks centuries, from General Oglethorpe to Victorian secrets. You will feel ballast stones underfoot and see light filter through ancient live oaks.
This tour connects the physical city with its human drama. Every lane and square gains deeper meaning.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, flat shoes. The cobblestones are uneven. Stay close to the guide to hear over passing carriage horses.
Y'allywood 3 Hour Private Movie and TV Locations Tour
guided_experienceYour car becomes a mobile screening room. Roll past Atlanta bungalows, warehouses, and alleys. Each site holds a story. Recognize a street from a zombie apocalypse. Feel the scale of a rail depot used for a superhero battle.
It shows Atlanta as a chameleon. Everyday locations hide blockbuster secrets.
Insider tip: Have your favorite movie scenes ready on your phone. Play them on location for comparison.
3 Hour Savannah Theatre Paranormal Investigation
entertainmentThe historic Savannah Theatre changes after dark. Explore its old velvet seats and backstage labyrinth. Use basic devices to listen for electronic voice phenomena in the balcony. Watch for unexplained shadows in the wings. The air smells of aged wood and dust.
It has a structured adventure into haunted lore. You will explore one of the city's most active historic halls.
Insider tip: The theater is drafty. Wear layers for stationary listening.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Walking Tour
walking_tourThis tour winds through the squares and mansions from the book. Stand before the well-known bird girl statue. Peer through the iron gates of Mercer House garden. Hear scandalous details recounted where they happened. Palm fronds rustle. A cathedral bell chimes in the distance.
It immerses you in Savannah's most famous modern story. Southern charm meets timeless intrigue.
Insider tip: Read the book or watch the film first. The details will have more impact on location.
Private Photoshoot in Savannah, GA
otherA local photographer leads you to photogenic corners. Find a secluded brick courtyard draped in ivy. Walk a sun-streaked path through Colonial Park Cemetery. Pose under winter light filtering through Spanish moss. A fountain trickles softly in the background.
It captures your visit with a curated, artistic eye. The portraits feel personally discovered.
Insider tip: Choose outfits with solid colors or simple patterns. They stand out against textured backdrops of brick and foliage.
Atlanta Highlights Private Tour
private_tourThis tailored drive weaves together landmarks and history. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and downtown's modern architecture. Feel the quiet at the King Center's reflecting pool. See stained glass in Ebenezer Baptist Church. Take in the view from Jackson Street Bridge.
It efficiently decodes Atlanta's large narrative. It connects civil rights history, Olympic transformation, and current culture.
Insider tip: Tell your guide your top interests at the start. They can adjust the route for history, street art, or architecture.
Where to Stay in Georgia (USA) in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★★
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December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December, typically first Saturday
Savannah Boat Parade of Lights
Fifty-plus decorated boats cruise the Savannah River past River Street's 1850s warehouses. Shrimp boats strung with thousands of lights, historic tugboats outlined in LEDs, and pleasure craft competing for best display. The free viewing happens along the riverwalk. But locals know the best angle is from the Factors Walk balconies above Bay Street, where you can duck into heated bars between boat passes. Arrive early. Tip bartenders.
Late November through late December
Atlanta Christkindl Market
This German-style market turns downtown's Centennial Olympic Park into a European village. Wooden huts selling hand-blown ornaments, bratwurst that snap when you bite them, and glühwein served in ceramic boots you keep. The smell of roasted almonds competes with pine-scented wreaths, and the Ferris wheel gives views over the Olympic torch. Go at dusk. Keep the boot.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Georgia (USA) Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Atlanta's BeltLine Eastside Trail clears out after 4pm in December. Locals head home for dinner, leaving the art installations and beer gardens to visitors who know the timing. Walk south. Grab ale. Snap murals.
Order boiled peanuts at any gas station between Macon and Valdosta. They're cooked fresh every morning and taste like December in Georgia: salty, soft, and surprisingly addictive. Eat hot. Lick fingers. Buy extra.
The 30-minute wait at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room in Savannah shortens to 10 minutes if you arrive at 10:45am. They start serving at 11am but locals queue early. Knock early. Sit family style. Refill plates.
Download the GA 511 app before mountain drives. December black ice closes sections of Route 180 with zero warning, and this gives real-time closure updates. Refresh often. Turn around. Stay safe.
Avoid These Mistakes
Savannah does not stay warm year-round. December mornings sink to 5°C (41°F) and river wind slices through light jackets. Pack wool. Bring a scarf. You will need both.
Forget Atlanta and Savannah in one December day. The 4-hour drive swells to 6 hours with holiday traffic. You will sit in rush hour twice. Pick one city. Enjoy it.
Never book outdoor New Year's Eve events without a weather backup. Temperatures can plummet to freezing after 10pm. Frostbite is not festive. Have a plan B.
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