Things to Do in Malaysia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Malaysia
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- West coast beaches (Penang, Langkawi, Malacca coast) are in peak dry season - daily temperatures around 30-32°C (86-90°F) with minimal rain and calm seas perfect for island hopping and water activities
- Fantastic food season - December brings durian harvest in northern states, Christmas food markets in KL and Penang, and the tail end of mangosteen season. Hawker centers are less crowded than Chinese New Year months
- Cameron Highlands is absolutely perfect - temperatures drop to 15-18°C (59-64°F) at night, strawberry farms are producing, and the tea plantations are lush from November rains but drying out nicely for hiking
- Excellent value outside Christmas week (Dec 20-27) - hotel rates in KL, Penang, and Ipoh are 20-30% lower than peak season, and domestic flights are reasonably priced except that one expensive week
Considerations
- East coast (Perhentian Islands, Redang, Tioman) is basically closed - monsoon season brings 200-300 mm (7.9-11.8 inches) of rain, rough seas, and most resorts shut down completely from November through February
- KL gets unpredictable afternoon thunderstorms - not constant rain, but when they hit around 3-5pm, they're intense 30-45 minute downpours that flood streets temporarily and make outdoor plans tricky
- Christmas week (Dec 20-27) sees prices spike 40-60% at beach destinations and major hotels, plus Malaysian school holidays mean domestic crowds at popular spots like Penang and Langkawi
Best Activities in December
Langkawi Island Beach Activities
December is genuinely the best month for Langkawi - the southwest monsoon has passed, seas are calm with 1-2 m (3-6 ft) waves maximum, and visibility for snorkeling around Pulau Payar Marine Park reaches 15-20 m (49-66 ft). Water temperature sits at a comfortable 28-29°C (82-84°F). The island gets maybe 3-4 rain days all month, and even those are brief evening showers. This is when you want to do island hopping tours, parasailing, and jet skiing - the weather window is genuinely perfect.
Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation Hiking
The highlands are magical in December - temperatures range 15-22°C (59-72°F), which feels incredible after the coastal heat. The trails have dried out from November rains but vegetation is still lush and green. Morning fog burns off by 9am, giving you clear views across the Boh and Bharat tea estates. This is peak strawberry season, so farms are producing heavily. The mossy forest trails around Gunung Brinchang at 2,032 m (6,666 ft) are accessible and not muddy like they are March-May.
George Town Heritage Walking Tours
December mornings in Penang are actually walkable - temperatures around 25-27°C (77-81°F) from 7-10am before the heat builds. The UNESCO heritage zone is compact, about 2 km (1.2 miles) across, and you can cover the street art, clan jetties, and Armenian Street area in 3-4 hours. Humidity is high at 70% but the occasional breeze from the strait helps. Late afternoons around 4-6pm are also decent after the daily thunderstorm risk passes. The Christmas decorations along Chulia Street and Little India add a unique multicultural vibe you won't get other months.
Taman Negara Rainforest Canopy Walks
December is actually drier than November in Taman Negara - rainfall drops to around 120-150 mm (4.7-5.9 inches) compared to 200+ mm (7.9+ inches) in October-November. The canopy walkway at 45 m (148 ft) above ground is less slippery, and wildlife spotting improves as animals come to rivers to drink. Temperatures stay around 28-30°C (82-86°F) with high humidity, but under the forest canopy it feels 3-4°C (5-7°F) cooler. The Tembeling River boat access runs smoothly without flood concerns.
Kuala Lumpur Food Market Tours
December evenings are prime time for KL's food scene - markets like Jalan Alor fire up around 5pm and run until midnight. The weather cools slightly to 26-28°C (79-82°F) after dark, and the Christmas season brings special hawker offerings plus the usual satay, char kway teow, and hokkien mee. Petaling Street night market in Chinatown adds festive decorations. The indoor air-conditioned food courts at Lot 10 Hutong and Pavilion are backup options when afternoon storms hit, which happens maybe 6-8 days in December.
Malacca River Cruise and Heritage District
Malacca in December is hot - 31-33°C (88-91°F) during the day - but the evening river cruises from 7-9pm are genuinely pleasant. The 45-minute cruise along the 9 km (5.6 miles) of restored riverfront shows the city's Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial buildings lit up. The compact heritage area around Jonker Street is walkable in early morning (7-9am) or after 5pm. December brings Christmas light displays at Dutch Square and the rotating roster of Peranakan cultural performances.
December Events & Festivals
Christmas Celebrations in Major Cities
Malaysia's multicultural makeup means Christmas is celebrated enthusiastically despite being a Muslim-majority country. Pavilion KL puts up an elaborate Christmas display in their main atrium, Suria KLCC has a massive tree, and Penang's malls along Gurney Drive go all out with decorations. It's not a public holiday for most, but shopping malls host carol singing, special food markets, and extended hours Dec 20-26. The vibe is commercial but uniquely Malaysian - you'll see Christmas trees next to CNY decorations going up early.
School Holiday Period
Malaysian schools break from around December 18 through early January, which means domestic tourism spikes at Langkawi, Penang beaches, and Cameron Highlands. Not an event per se, but it affects crowd levels and pricing significantly. Local families take advantage of the west coast weather, so popular beaches get genuinely busy on weekends. Weekday visits to attractions are noticeably calmer.