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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
- + December in Georgia is made for walking. The air is mild, the summer humidity is gone, and you can roam Atlanta's BeltLine or Savannah's squares without wilting. Pack a light jacket. Stay out all day.
- + Holiday lights flip the state into full sparkle. Atlanta Botanical Garden lights up 30 acres, Savannah's historic homes glow on candlelight tours, and Callaway Gardens near Pine Mountain strings millions of lights across 2,500 acres, best seen from a slow train.
- + This is peak comfort food month. Smoked ham hocks perfume pots of collard and turnip greens, roadside stands sell paper-shell pecans by the bag, and every meat-and-three lists sweet potato cobbler. Eat like a local.
- + Crowds vanish at big-ticket spots. Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola feel roomy on December weekdays. You can watch whale sharks glide without elbows in your ribs.
Considerations
- − Weather flips fast. A sunny 64°F (18°C) dawn can slump to a damp 45°F (7°C) by lunch, wind knifing through thin fabric. Layer up. No debate.
- − Daylight is short. Sun drops around 5:30 PM, trimming outdoor plans. Hit Stone Mountain trails or Okefenokee boardwalks at sunrise.
- − Hotel rates spike between Christmas and New Year's. Buckhead and River Street fill up. Reserve early. Expect waits.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Georgia, USA, is a month of quiet transformation. The heavy, humid air of summer has lifted, leaving a crispness that sharpens the light and deepens the silence in the moss-draped squares of Savannah. Locals pull on light jackets for evening strolls, their breath visible in the cool air, and the steady rhythm of daily life continues without the peak-season crowds. The days are shorter, with a high near 64 degrees Fahrenheit. But the sun still holds a gentle warmth, making midday walks a pleasure. While no major festivals are anchored to the month, this absence creates space for a different kind of travel in Georgia, one focused on the texture of its historic cities and the clear, detailed stories they offer when visited at a thoughtful pace. This is an ideal season for immersive exploration. With around ten rainy days in the month, occasional showers sweep through, leaving the cobblestones in Savannah gleaming and releasing the damp, earthy smell of old brick and wet magnolia leaves. It is a time for layered clothing, for warming up in a cafe with a cup of chicory coffee, and for engaging with the narratives that define the state. The variable conditions mean one afternoon you might feel a cool breeze cutting through the oak canopies, and the next you could be comfortably shedding a layer under a bright, pale blue sky. This December atmosphere in Georgia turns attention inward, toward its intricate history and atmospheric urban landscapes, which are best uncovered on foot with a knowledgeable guide.
History of Savannah Walking Tour
walking_tourThis walking tour navigates the original grid of Savannah's historic district. You will see the precise ironwork on antebellum mansions, hear tales of the city's preservation directly from a guide, and feel the uneven give of the worn cobblestones along Factors Walk.
It provides the essential architectural and historical context that makes every subsequent sight in Savannah resonate more.
Insider tip: Start the tour in the late morning to catch the best light filtering through the live oaks in the squares, which illuminates the facades of the historic homes.
Y'allywood 3 Hour Private Movie and TV Locations Tour
guided_experienceYou will see the unassuming warehouses that become soundstages, hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes about production, and feel the surprising contrast between the ordinary Atlanta location and its cinematic alter-ego.
It reveals the hidden industry that shapes modern Atlanta's identity, far beyond its historic landmarks.
Insider tip: Request a focus on either film or television locations when booking to tailor the deep-dive to your specific interests.
3 Hour Savannah Theatre Paranormal Investigation
entertainmentThis investigation invites participants to use specialized equipment in the shadowy balcony and backstage areas. You will hear the distinct creak of original floorboards underfoot, feel the palpable shift in air temperature in certain wings, and see the flicker of a K-II meter in the near-darkness.
It has a tangible, hands-on approach to the paranormal lore that is a unique part of Savannah's cultural fabric.
Insider tip: Wear comfortable, quiet shoes and dark clothing to move easily and remain unobtrusive during the sensitive listening periods.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Walking Tour
walking_tourThis tour visits the clapboard house, the ornate cemetery, and the secluded garden squares central to the story. You will smell the faint, sweet decay of fallen camellias in Monterey Square, hear the rustle of palm fronds in the Bonaventure Cemetery, and see the exact courtroom window that figured prominently in the trial.
It connects literary and social history to the very pavement and parks of Savannah, bringing a modern legend to life.
Insider tip: Read the book or watch the film before the tour to fully appreciate the subtle details and locations your guide points out.
Private Photoshoot in Savannah, GA
otherOften utilizing the soft winter light in Reynolds Square or the dramatic arches of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. You will feel the cool marble of a fountain ledge, see the golden-hour glow on the brickwork of Jones Street, and hear the shutter capture moments against backdrops of intricate wrought-iron gates.
It creates professional-quality mementos of your visit set within the city's most photogenic, less-crowded December scenes.
Insider tip: Schedule your session for the hour before sunset to take advantage of the long, raking shadows and warm hue that define Savannah's winter light.
Atlanta Highlights Private Tour
private_tourFrom the gleaming capsules of the CNN Center to the solemn reflecting pool at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. You will see the monumental relief on Stone Mountain, hear the echoes inside the state capitol rotunda, and feel the urban energy of Centennial Olympic Park.
It delivers a complete, hassle-free overview of Atlanta's large and varied districts, curated to your pace.
Insider tip: Ask your driver-guide to include a drive through the Inman Park or Virginia-Highland neighborhoods to see Atlanta's historic residential architecture adorned with seasonal wreaths.
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
Mid November through Early January
Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Forget dainty strings of bulbs. You step into tunnels of lights that pulse to music, past glowing orbs drifting on black ponds, beneath towering animal shapes shaped by firefly bright wire. Hot chocolate and roasting pecans ride the cold air. Memorable, yes, but also Atlanta's most crowded December outdoor event. Go on a weeknight, right at opening, and breathe.
Early December (typically first weekend)
Savannah's Christmas on the River & Holiday Boat Parade
The historic riverfront turns street fair, funnel cakes and spiced wine in the air. Yet the real show is on the water. After dark, dozens of private boats wearing thousands of lights glide down the Savannah River past River Street. Claim a spot on the upper decks of the old cotton warehouses. You will feel the damp breeze and hear boat horns blasting carols across the black water.
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View Georgia (USA) Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The week after Thanksgiving until about December 15th is the sweet spot. Holiday decorations are up, festive spirit is high. Yet the Christmas to New Year crush has not arrived. Hotel rates reflect the lull.
For a local food rite, hunt down a meat and three lunch counter. Daily vegetables, buttery rutabaga, stewed okra, black eyed peas, peak in winter. Order the fried chicken plate with your pick of sides. Do it.
Atlanta's MARTA rail is handy for airport, Buckhead, Downtown, but a rental car is almost non negotiable for exploring Georgia in December. You will want the freedom to chase sunshine or dash to the mountains.
If rain falls, duck into Atlanta's Center for Civil and Human Rights. Humidity controlled galleries shelter you, and immersive exhibits like the simulated lunch counter sit in are powerful and time devouring in the best way. It is quieter than the famous aquarium next door.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never underestimate traffic around Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza malls. Holiday shopping gridlocks Buckhead from late November through Christmas Eve. Use MARTA's Buckhead station or visit on a weekday morning.
Do not assume every holiday event is free. Major light displays like the Atlanta Botanical Garden's or Callaway Gardens' charge significant admission and require timed tickets bought well ahead. Budget and plan.
Do not pack only for mild weather. The day to night swing can top 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11°C), and the damp chill near Savannah's river or in the North Georgia mountains bites without proper layers. Bring a real coat, not just a sweater.
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