December 2026 Weather in Palm Springs
“Mild and bright — an underrated time to visit.”
Roughly 3 rainy days across the month, on average.
December places Palm Springs in full snowbird-season mode. Daytime highs settle at 19.7°C (67.5°F), nights drop to 10°C (50°F), and rainfall totals 29mm across 3 days. Sunshine averages 8.5 hours, and cool desert evenings make fire-pit patios essential at Parker, Ace, and boutique Uptown hotels. Mount San Jacinto's summit dusts with snow, making the Aerial Tramway ride a true climate-contrast experience.
Cultural life peaks. Christmas holiday events fill Palm Canyon Drive, New Year's Eve parties at flagship hotels and Uptown clubs sell out weeks ahead, and Fabulous Palm Springs Follies-style holiday shows return to boutique venues. Uptown Design District's holiday window displays attract Instagram-focused visitors, and snowbird arrivals reach yearly peak with valley-wide occupancy running near capacity.
The eleven-year record from 2015 to 2025 shows December highs edging up by 0.7°C, though cold-snap events with sub-freezing overnight lows still occur. Rainfall variability remains high, with occasional atmospheric river events delivering 100mm-plus in single systems. Modeling for 2026 leans normal-to-mild with rainfall near average.
Travelers in 2026 should book Christmas and NYE hotels four-plus months ahead, as rates hit yearly highs. Rental cars sell out over holiday weeks. Plan Aerial Tramway trips for morning slots, and dress warmly for evening desert dining. December 2026 is Palm Springs at its social peak: perfect weather, packed calendars, and holiday sparkle throughout the Coachella Valley.
Palm Springs is a city of neighborhoods defined by mid-century architects: Twin Palms is Alexander tract, Movie Colony is where old Hollywood built, and Deepwell has Kaufmann House by Neutra. The Uptown Design District is where locals actually walk; Palm Canyon Drive downtown is for out-of-towners. VillageFest Thursday nights closes the main drag. The Tramway rotating cars are engineering theater and the temperature swing from 45C to 15C in 10 minutes shocks first-timers.
What to pack for Palm Springs in December
December's warm days and cold nights require true winter-desert layers:
- Long-sleeve shirts and warm sweaters
- Jeans or trousers plus one lighter daytime pair
- Comfortable walking shoes and warmer evening pair
- Warm jacket or coat for evenings and tramway snow
- Sunglasses, scarf, gloves for tramway summit
What to pack for Palm Springs in December
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Where to stay in Palm Springs
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Palm Springs across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated December trip to Palm Springs
Peak season prices — book early or shift by 2–3 weeks to save. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
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Delayed flight to Palm Springs?
Flights to Palm Springs in December can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
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Things worth doing
NYE parties Uptown, Christmas dining Palm Canyon, Aerial Tramway snow trips, Joshua Tree hikes, holiday markets, Wine Trolley tours, VillageFest Thursday.
December vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Palm Springs. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Palm Springs
While December has its own character in Palm Springs, the data-backed best months to visit Palm Springs are February, March, April, November. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across an 11-year climate record (2015–2025).
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for Palm SpringsOther places with a similar climate right now
Palm Springs in December — FAQ
Q01Is December a good month for Palm Springs?
Is December a good month for Palm Springs?
Yes — it is a good time to visit, with pleasant, comfortable weather. In December, Palm Springs averages a high of 20°C (67°F) and a low of 10°C (50°F), with 29mm of rainfall across roughly 3 rainy days. Mid-February to early March Modernism Week fills mid-century homes with tours before March desert wildflower super-bloom carpets Anza-Borrego badlands purple.
Q02How warm does Palm Springs get in December?
How warm does Palm Springs get in December?
The average high temperature in Palm Springs during December is 20°C (67°F), with an average low of 10°C (50°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive). January 25C days and 5C nights; snowbirds double the population, Coachella Valley golf peaks, and San Jacinto snow visible from any pool.
Q03Does it rain a lot in Palm Springs in December?
Does it rain a lot in Palm Springs in December?
Palm Springs averages approximately 3 rainy days in December, with a total monthly rainfall of about 29mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What clothes should I bring to Palm Springs in December?
What clothes should I bring to Palm Springs in December?
For Palm Springs in December, pack layered clothing for changing temperatures, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. A collapsible sun umbrella and cooling neck towel: shade is rare, pool decks hit 60C, and the dry heat evaporates sweat instantly.
Q05Are there many tourists in Palm Springs in December?
Are there many tourists in Palm Springs in December?
Tourist crowds in Palm Springs during December are typically moderate. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Palm Springs is a city of neighborhoods defined by mid-century architects: Twin Palms is Alexander tract, Movie Colony is where old Hollywood built, and Deepwell has Kaufmann House by Neutra. The Uptown Design District is where locals actually walk; Palm Canyon Drive downtown is for out-of-towners. VillageFest Thursday nights closes the main drag. The Tramway rotating cars are engineering theater and the temperature swing from 45C to 15C in 10 minutes shocks first-timers.