Things to Do in Sedona in December

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Stay in Sedona in December

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Opens Trip.com on Fri 4 Dec to Sun 6 Dec 2026; change the dates there.

December in Sedona starts cold. Overnight temperatures average 1°C (35°F), the kind of chill that stings your cheeks at a 7 AM trailhead in the Village of Oak Creek. Wind funnels through Oak Creek Canyon and sharpens it. By midday, the sun typically warms things to around 13°C (55°F) under dry, clear skies, and a fleece is enough. A few times each December, snow settles on Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. The red sandstone turns white briefly before the sun burns it off. That contrast draws photographers from across Arizona.

The town's defining December event is the Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, held midway through the month. The evening display fills the courtyards and pulls visitors from across the state. Outside that weekend and the Christmas-to-New-Year stretch, Sedona is noticeably quieter than in October or March. Trail parking at popular spots fills later in the morning, and restaurants in Uptown Sedona take walk-ins on weeknights.

That said, December splits into two distinct windows. The first two weeks feel unhurried, with accommodation rates sitting roughly 15 to 20% above the annual average and midweek availability at most lodges in West Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. After December 20, holiday visitors from Phoenix and Tucson fill the town, and nightly rates climb closer to 30 to 50% above average through New Year's Day. Sunset lands near 5:30 PM all month, and the low winter sun casts long shadows across the canyon walls each afternoon. That angle of light turns the western faces of the formations a deep amber for roughly 45 minutes before it drops behind the western mesa. The 2-hour drive from Phoenix on I-17 is straightforward in clear weather, though the winding descent on State Route 89A from Flagstaff can ice over after a December storm.

Why visit in December

Snow on the red rocks, when it comes, creates a landscape the popular spring and fall months never deliver. White against red sandstone and blue sky.
Cool afternoon temperatures make strenuous hikes like Bear Mountain and Doe Mountain comfortable, compared to the dangerous heat from June through August when highs exceed 33°C.
The Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque draws visitors from across Arizona and remains the town's signature winter event.
Thinner crowds than the October and March peaks mean shorter waits at trailheads, easier dinner reservations, and more solitude on the trail.

Worth knowing

Overnight lows regularly approach or drop below freezing, and ice forms on shaded trail sections before sunrise, particularly on north-facing rock shelves along the Cathedral Rock scramble.
December daylight is short. Sunset around 5:30 PM limits afternoon hiking, and golden light on west-facing formations fades by 4:45 PM.
Holiday-week accommodation rates climb steeply above the yearly average, particularly the Christmas-to-New-Year window.
Forest Service access roads, including several unpaved routes, close after snow or heavy rain. This can cut off trailheads for Munds Wagon and Hangover trails for a day or more.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 13° / 1°C 37mm rain · 6 rainy days · 54% humidity rains perceptibly ~0.7h/day · 94% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Insulated mid-layer for mornings below 5°C, sunscreen and a sun hat for midday UV at 1,400m elevation, and grippy-soled hiking boots for icy trail sections.

Cool and dry with cold mornings. Expect frost on car windshields at sunrise and comfortable conditions by late morning. Rainfall is light, spread across roughly 6 days. Occasional snow squalls move through quickly and tend to deposit a thin dusting that melts within hours. Wind picks up in the late afternoon, especially through the canyon corridors.

Seasonal caution

Overnight lows drop below 0°C (32°F) several times in December. Black ice forms on shaded trail sections, particularly north-facing rock shelves on Cathedral Rock and the steep descent off Airport Mesa.
Snow squalls can reduce visibility on exposed ridgeline trails with little warning. These typically clear within 1 to 2 hours, but carry a headlamp and extra layer if you are on a longer route.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Sedona
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	10	-1	59
Feb	13	0	43
Mar	15	2	72
Apr	22	7	14
May	27	12	6
Jun	33	18	10
Jul	34	21	28
Aug	32	19	43
Sep	30	16	30
Oct	23	9	40
Nov	16	4	29
Dec	13	1	37

Holidays and festivals in December

Public holidays

Christmas Day(Christmas Day)25 December 2026

When is Christmas season in 2026?

27 November to 26 December 2026

Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Sedona. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.

Headline events

Citywide Free

Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque

Second Saturday of December, typically from late afternoon into the evening

Thousands of luminarias, sand-weighted paper bags with candles, line the courtyards, walkways, and rooftops of Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. Galleries stay open late, musicians perform in the plazas, and the whole complex glows amber after dark. This is the single event most visitors plan a December Sedona trip around.

#SedonaFestivalOfLights

Best things to do in December

Snow-on-red-rock photography at Crescent Moon

photography

The Crescent Moon / Red Rock Crossing area south of Cathedral Rock offers the clearest compositions with Oak Creek in the foreground. A light dusting of snow on the sandstone formations creates a contrast of white, red, and blue that spring and fall visitors never see.

Snow settles on the red rocks a few times each December, typically melting within 2 to 3 hours of sunrise. The window is brief and unpredictable.

Booking tipNo booking needed, but arrive before 7 AM after a night of snowfall. Parking fills fast when snow is visible on the formations.

Bear Mountain Trail hike

hiking

A strenuous 4.9-mile (7.9 km) out-and-back climb with about 580m (1,900 ft) of elevation gain. The exposed terrain delivers panoramic views of the entire red rock area from the summit, but that same exposure makes it dangerously hot from June through September.

December's mild afternoon highs turn this exposed climb from a heat-stroke risk into a comfortable full-morning workout.

Booking tipNo permit required. Start by 8 AM to finish well before the early sunset.

Verde Valley Wine Trail tasting

food and drink

A cluster of tasting rooms and wineries in Page Springs and Cornville, about 20 minutes southwest of Sedona along the Verde River. The region grows Syrah, Malvasia, and Mourvedre varieties suited to the high-desert climate.

October Saturdays see 30-minute waits at the more popular tasting rooms. In December, most are walk-in.

Booking tipWeekday visits in December almost never need reservations. Weekend afternoons can still fill during holiday weeks.

Stargazing from Airport Mesa

nature

Airport Mesa sits above the town with clear sightlines south and west. The parking area near the Airport Mesa Vortex offers an accessible viewing spot. Sedona maintains strict outdoor lighting ordinances, which keeps the sky dark for a town of its size.

December has the longest nights of the year, with full darkness by 6:30 PM. Low humidity and minimal winter cloud cover create sharp viewing conditions. Orion and the Pleiades sit high in the southern sky.

Booking tipNo booking needed. Bring binoculars or a small telescope. The mesa is windy after dark, so dress warmer than you think you need.

Winter bird watching at Red Rock State Park

nature

Red Rock State Park, opened in 1986, sits along a riparian stretch of Oak Creek surrounded by red rock cliffs. The creek-side trails wind through cottonwood and sycamore habitat. Wintering raptors, including occasional bald eagles, use the Oak Creek corridor as a flyway.

Wintering birds arrive in late November and are fully established by mid-December. Leafless cottonwoods along the creek make them easier to spot.

Booking tipArrive between 8 and 10 AM for peak bird activity along the creek.

Holiday exhibition browsing at Tlaquepaque galleries

arts and culture

Tlaquepaque's 40-plus galleries and studios rotate their shows in early December. Several specialize in Southwestern and Native American art, and the holiday season brings limited-edition pieces and artist receptions. The architecture of the complex, designed to evoke a traditional Mexican village, is worth the walk on its own.

Galleries premiere holiday exhibitions in the first week of December. Some host opening receptions with complimentary wine.

Booking tipNo booking. Gallery hours may shorten between Christmas and New Year.

Jeep tour through snow-dusted terrain

adventure

Several operators run off-road jeep tours on the Broken Arrow Trail, Soldier Pass, and Diamondback Gulch routes. The standard tour covers about 2 hours and reaches terrain you cannot access by car, with stops at geological features like the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole.

Snow or frost on the red rock formations adds a rare visual layer to the standard routes. December tour groups tend to be smaller than in peak season.

Booking tipBook at least a week ahead for holiday-week slots. Weekday tours in early December are usually available with 2 to 3 days notice.

What to eat in December

On menus now

Posole
A slow-cooked hominy and pork stew seasoned with red or green chile that appears on restaurant menus across the Verde Valley every December. The kind of bowl that makes sense after a cold morning hike through Red Rock country.
Green chile stew
Roasted Hatch green chiles simmered with potato and pork or beef. A winter comfort staple across Arizona and New Mexico, served at most Southwestern restaurants in the Sedona area from November through February.

What to drink

Champurrado
A thick, warm Mexican hot chocolate thickened with masa harina and flavored with cinnamon and piloncillo. Several cafes in the Uptown area serve it through December. Heavier and richer than standard hot cocoa.
Pinon coffee
Coffee roasted with pinon (pine) nuts, a high-desert Southwest specialty. The toasted, slightly sweet flavor is particular to the region. Available year-round but feels right on a cold Sedona morning when the temperature is still in single digits Celsius.

Festival food

Tamales
The Southwestern Christmas tradition. Families across Arizona spend late November and early December in tamale-making sessions, and restaurants in the Sedona area add seasonal tamale plates through the end of the month. Corn masa wrapped around red or green chile pork, steamed in corn husks.
Biscochitos
Anise-flavored shortbread cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar. The official state cookie of New Mexico, widely baked across Arizona during the Christmas season. You'll find them at bakeries and holiday pop-ups in the Sedona area through late December.

Regular events in December

Christmas Eve services at Chapel of the Holy CrossFree

The Roman Catholic chapel, set into the red rock face overlooking the valley, holds Christmas Eve services. The modernist architecture and the view from the approach road make this a distinctive setting even for visitors who are not regular churchgoers.

December 24, evening

Winter Solstice gatherings at Sedona vortex sitesFree

Sedona's spiritual community marks the Winter Solstice with informal sunrise and sunset gatherings at the four major vortex sites. Airport Mesa and the Bell Rock Vortex typically draw the largest groups. These are community-organized, not commercial events.

December 21 or 22, sunrise and sunset

Sedona gallery holiday openingsFree

Multiple galleries in Uptown Sedona, along State Route 179, and at Tlaquepaque host holiday exhibition openings in early December. Wine receptions and artist meet-and-greets are common at the larger spaces.

First two weeks of December, varying by gallery

Best places this December

Cathedral Rock
landmark
Sedona's most photographed formation and one of the more challenging scrambles in the area. In December, the north-facing crevices hold snow and frost longer than the sun-exposed faces, which creates the layered red-and-white look that defines winter here. Start early if you plan to scramble to the saddle, and watch for ice on the rock.
Back O' Beyond
Airport Mesa
viewpoint
A flat-topped mesa at about 1,500m (4,900 ft) with 360-degree views of the surrounding formations. The parking area near the vortex is a popular sunset spot, but December's clear winter skies and early darkness make it equally good for stargazing after nightfall.
West Sedona
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
arts district
A gallery complex named after the artisan district in Guadalajara, Mexico, with courtyards, tile roofs, and wrought iron details along Oak Creek at the center of town. Holiday decorations stay up through early January. The courtyards glow with traditional candle-lit displays during the mid-December festival weekend.
Uptown Sedona
Red Rock State Park
state park
A 286-acre (116-hectare) park along Oak Creek with 5 miles (8 km) of interconnected trails through red rock and riparian habitat. The Eagle Nest Trail and Smoke Trail loop together for a solid morning walk. In December, the bare trees open up creek views and make it easier to spot wintering birds.
West Sedona
Bell Rock Pathway
trail
A paved, mostly flat 3.6-mile (5.8 km) trail that loops around the base of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Accessible for all fitness levels. In December, morning frost on the scrub desert along the path catches the first sunlight in a way summer visitors never see.
Village of Oak Creek
Chapel of the Holy Cross
landmark
A Roman Catholic chapel built into the red rock in 1955, with floor-to-ceiling glass framing the valley below. The approach road offers one of the best south-facing vantage points in the area. Open daily for quiet visits, and home to Christmas Eve services that draw both visitors and locals.
Chapel area

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Insulated mid-layer (fleece or light down jacket)Mornings at trailheads regularly sit below 5°C (41°F). You will want to peel this off by late morning as the sun warms, so a packable layer beats a heavy coat. Shop
Thermal base layer topFor early-morning hikes when temperatures hover near freezing. Merino or synthetic, not cotton, which holds sweat and chills fast in the dry desert air. Shop
Hiking boots with aggressive treadIce forms on shaded rock sections of trails like the Cathedral Rock scramble and Bear Mountain. Smooth-soled trail runners will not grip. Ankle support helps on the rocky, uneven terrain. Shop
Wool or synthetic beanieDecember wind across exposed mesas and through the canyon corridors drops the wind chill below the reading on the thermometer. Ears and forehead cool fast at elevation. Shop
Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)Sedona sits at roughly 1,400m (4,500 ft) elevation, where UV exposure is about 20% stronger than at sea level. Winter visitors often skip sun protection. The dry air offers no moisture buffer. Shop
Polarized sunglassesGlare off snow-dusted red rock can be intense on clear mornings. Polarized lenses also help with reading the trail surface when shadows are long in late-afternoon light. Shop
HeadlampThe early sunset means you could end up on trail in darkness if you start an afternoon hike past 2 PM. Carry one even for short outings as a precaution. Shop
Reusable water bottle (at least 1 liter)The dry 54% average humidity dehydrates faster than you would expect in cool weather. Your body does not signal thirst as strongly in the cold, so drink on a schedule rather than by feel. Shop

Insider tips

The best snow-on-red-rock photos happen in the first 2 hours after sunrise, before the dusting melts. Airport Mesa's southern overlook and the Crescent Moon day-use area both offer clear compositions. An overnight low below -1°C is a rough indicator that snow might have settled on the higher formations.
Red Rock Pass kiosks at Forest Service trailheads are cash-only. The Coconino National Forest ranger station on State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek sells them by card during business hours. Buy one there first and save the fumbling at a windswept trailhead.
If you are driving up from Phoenix on I-17, the Montezuma Castle National Monument exit (exit 289) breaks the 2-hour drive at roughly the halfway point. The site is a 5-story, 20-room Sinagua cliff dwelling built between 1100 and 1400 CE, and the short loop trail takes about 30 minutes.
Book dinner in Uptown Sedona before 6 PM during the Christmas-to-New-Year window. By 6:30, most restaurants with outdoor red-rock views are running 45-minute waits. The first two weeks of December are far easier.
Worth noting, the Verde Valley Wine Trail tasting rooms in Page Springs sit about 20 minutes from central Sedona but feel like a different world. The drive along Page Springs Road follows the creek through cottonwood forest. December weekdays are quiet enough that winemakers sometimes pour for you personally.

Avoid these mistakes

Starting a Cathedral Rock hike after 2 PM in December. The scramble section near the saddle is slippery with frost in shadow, and the steep descent requires daylight. With the early sunset, a late start leaves no margin.
Packing for 'Arizona weather' without cold-weather layers. First-time visitors expect warmth because the state conjures images of Phoenix and Scottsdale. Early-morning trailheads in December routinely register below freezing.
Driving Schnebly Hill Road after a storm without checking conditions. The unpaved section turns to mud and ice, there is no cell service for much of the route, and a stuck vehicle in December means cold exposure while you wait.
Planning to swim at Slide Rock State Park. The creek is far too cold for swimming in December, and the park operates on reduced winter hours. The natural water slides that define a summer visit are off the table.

Practical tips for December

Book accommodation for the Christmas-to-New-Year week at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Properties across Uptown Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek fill early for that stretch. The rest of December is easier, with last-minute openings on weeknights. Sunrise is around 7:30 AM, so there is no need for pre-dawn alarms to catch golden hour on the formations. Plan to finish any strenuous hike by 3:30 PM to leave a comfortable cushion before sunset. Several restaurants and galleries adjust their hours between Christmas and New Year, so check ahead for that week. Gas stations are limited to West Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek, so fill up before heading to remote trailheads. Sedona's family friendliness scores 6.8 out of 10 (see the TTDI Family-Friendliness Index), and most trails accommodate families, though the Cathedral Rock scramble and Bear Mountain are too exposed for young children in icy December conditions.

FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Sedona?

December is a good time, not the best. The cool weather suits hiking, the rare snow mornings produce scenery unique to winter, and the town carries a festive atmosphere through the Festival of Lights and into the holidays. Crowds thin out compared to the fall and spring peaks. The tradeoffs are short daylight and elevated accommodation rates during the final two weeks. Early December, particularly weekdays in the first half of the month, offers the best balance of mild weather, fewer visitors, and reasonable rates.

Does it snow in Sedona in December?

It does, a few times most Decembers. Snowfall is typically light, a dusting that settles on the upper rock formations and melts before midday. Accumulation at road level is uncommon and usually clears within hours. The snow transforms the red rock landscape briefly, which is part of December's appeal for photographers. Heavier storms can close some unpaved Forest Service roads for a day or two while conditions improve.

Is Sedona crowded in December?

Moderate. The first two weeks feel noticeably less busy than the fall high season. Popular trailhead parking fills later in the morning, and walk-in dining is easier to find. The Christmas-through-New-Year window brings a noticeable spike in visitors and rates. If crowd avoidance matters to you, target weekdays in early to mid-December for the quietest experience.

What should I wear for hiking in Sedona in December?

Removable layers. The temperature range from a freezing sunrise to a mild early afternoon can span 12°C (22°F) in a single hike. A heavy winter coat makes you overheat within 20 minutes of climbing. A thermal base layer, fleece, and windproof shell let you strip down as the sun rises. Grippy hiking boots matter more in December than in warmer months because of ice on shaded rock sections. Sunscreen and sunglasses are still necessary at this elevation.

What is there to do in Sedona on Christmas Day?

Trails stay open. The national forest trailheads do not close for holidays, so hiking is the default Christmas Day activity for visitors. Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock Pathway, and the West Fork of Oak Creek are all accessible. Most restaurants and galleries in the main shopping areas close for the day, so plan meals at your accommodation or bring supplies. Red Rock State Park may have adjusted holiday hours, so check ahead of time.