Things to Do in Malaysia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
High Season · Book Early
December Weather in Malaysia
Long-run averages for December in Kuala Lumpur
89°F (32°C)
High Temp
75°F (24°C)
Low Temp
11.0 inches (279 mm)
Rainfall
86%
Humidity
17
Rainy Days
11
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ The Northeast Monsoon is still active on the East Coast (Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang) in early December. Ferry services to islands like Perhentian and Redang may be intermittent or cancelled due to rough seas. Always confirm operations directly with boat companies.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The East Coast monsoon clears by early December. Access opens to legendary islands like Perhentian and Redang. Water clarity and coral visibility hit their absolute peak. The crowds have not arrived yet. This is your window.
- + December in Malaysia runs on public holidays and festivities. Hari Raya Haji lands early in the month. Christmas markets pop up in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. New Year's Eve fireworks follow. The entire country hums with celebratory energy. You feel it everywhere.
- + Kuala Lumpur gets afternoon showers. The west coast stays dry. Penang and Langkawi see their sunniest weather. Borneo follows suit. Kuching and Kota Kinabalu offer ideal conditions. Outdoor adventures face minimal disruption. This is the month to move.
- + Durian season peaks in Cameron Highlands and Pahang state. The smell of spiky fruit saturates night markets after dark. Rare varieties appear. Musang King sits on tables, unavailable most of the year. Taste it now.
Considerations
- − December ranks among Kuala Lumpur's wettest months. Afternoon thunderstorms strike brief and intense. Streets flood within minutes. Outdoor plans crumble. The humidity that follows feels like a warm, wet blanket. Pack accordingly.
- − Peak domestic and regional travel hits now. Flights to popular islands vanish weeks ahead. Ferries fill fast. Roads to coastal resorts like Port Dickson clog on weekends. Parking lots replace highways. Plan early.
- − Accommodation prices climb through December. Beach resorts and major cities lead the increase. Annual peaks hit between Christmas and New Year's Eve. You pay premium rates. The festive atmosphere comes at a cost.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Malaysia develops under a sky that frequently gathers into dramatic, slate-colored clouds, releasing sudden, torrential downpours that leave the air smelling of wet earth and steaming pavement. With an average rainfall of 11 inches, it is one of the wetter months, though the temperatures remain consistently warm, hovering between the mid-seventies and high eighties. This rhythm of sun and swift, heavy rain defines the pace. Mornings often dawn clear and humid, good for an early start, while afternoons might invite a pause under the shelter of a five-foot-way as the rain drums on the roof. Locals navigate this with umbrellas always at hand, and the scent of charcoal smoke from satay stalls seems to cling a little more persistently in the damp air. For a visitor, this season has a Malaysia viewed through a lens of liquid light, where the greenery in the Cameron Highlands appears almost overwhelmingly lush and the monsoon swell pounds the east coast beaches, making the calmer western shores like those near Langkawi appealing. Travelers curious about Malaysia weather in December will find the climate data tells a clear story: this month is markedly wetter than the drier stretch from June to August. Yet it receives less rain than the peak of the northeast monsoon in November. This positioning makes it a viable time for exploration, in the western peninsula, where cultural cities remain fully accessible. The lack of major verified festivals this month shifts focus toward immersive cultural experiences and nature encounters that thrive in the rainy season's moody atmosphere. Planning a Malaysia itinerary requires acknowledging these showers, building in flexibility, and seeking out activities that are enriched by the season, like watching fireflies dance over rain-fed rivers or feeling the cool spray of a waterfall at full flow.
From Kuala Lumpur: Historical Malacca Tour with Lunch option
culturalFrom Kuala Lumpur, a journey south to Malacca traces the path of colonial empires, where you will walk on sun-warmed laterite bricks past salmon-pink Dutch stadthuys and hear the call to prayer echo from a Chinese pagoda-style minaret. The tour often includes a lunch where you can taste the sour, tangy kick of asam pedas fish stew, a local specialty that originated in this port city.
This excursion distills centuries of trade, conquest, and cultural fusion into a single, walkable UNESCO World Heritage site, letting you touch the very walls where history was decided.
Insider tip: Visit the Cheng Hoon Teng temple early in your free time to smell the dense, calming fragrance of burning joss sticks before the midday crowds arrive.
Kuala Lumpur: Malacca Day Trip with River Cruise and Lunch
cruiseThis Malacca day trip adds the unique perspective of the Melaka River, where you glide past murals depicting the city's past, hearing the water slap against the hull as you drift under low bridges hung with bougainvillea. The cruise reveals a quieter backside of the historic quarter, where the scent of the tidal river mixes with the aroma of grilled chicken rice wafting from waterfront cafes.
The river cruise has a completely different vantage point on Malacca's story, one that connects its maritime soul to its modern street art revival.
Insider tip: Request a seat on the left side of the boat facing forward for the best, unobstructed views of the larger murals as you approach them.
Batik Bag Painting Workshop by myBatik
otherThe Batik Bag Painting Workshop by myBatik provides a tactile immersion into a revered craft, feeling the smooth glide of hot wax from the *canting* tool onto cotton, surrounded by the faint, sweet smell of molten beeswax. You will see your design emerge through successive dips into busy dyes, creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir that carries the weight of tradition.
It transforms you from an observer to a creator, offering a deep, hands-on understanding of a symbolic Malaysian art form.
Insider tip: Wear clothes you don't mind getting potentially stained with dye, as the process is hands-on and even experienced practitioners can have spills.
From Kuala Lumpur: Full-Day Tour to Malacca
day_tripAnother complete full-day tour to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur allows for a deep examination of the city's layers, from feeling the cool interior of St. Paul's Hill church ruins to hearing the lively chatter in the Jonker Street antiques market. These tours often include sampling the crumbly, buttery texture of Portuguese-inspired egg tarts from a generations-old bakery.
It provides a structured, narrated framework to a complex historical site, ensuring you grasp the significance of each era from the sultanate to the Portuguese, Dutch, and British periods.
Insider tip: If given free time on Jonker Street, venture down the narrower perpendicular lanes to find smaller workshops and quieter cafes where the old trades are still practiced.
Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
guided_experienceThe Firefly Tour Johor Bahru at Kota Tinggi Firefly Park is a nocturnal fantasy, where you sit in a quiet boat on the black river, listening to the chorus of crickets and frogs before seeing thousands of tiny yellow-green lights flicker in synchrony among the mangrove trees. The cool night air carries the faint, muddy scent of the riverbank, and the fireflies' collective glow reflects on the still water like a mirror to the stars.
It is a memorable, ephemeral natural phenomenon that feels entirely separate from the modern urban energy of nearby Johor Bahru.
Insider tip: Apply insect repellent to your ankles and wrists well before boarding the boat, as the mangroves are home to mosquitoes, and spraying during the tour will disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
This month: December's frequent rains can mean higher water levels in the river, which sometimes allows the boats to travel deeper into the mangrove channels.
Rainforest-Cascading Waterfall & Batu Cave (Private Tour)
private_tourThe Rainforest-Cascading Waterfall & Batu Cave private tour contrasts profound spirituality with raw nature, beginning with the feel of cool, damp air inside the cathedral-like Batu Cave caverns, smelling of incense and wet limestone. Later, you will stand near a powerful waterfall in a rainforest reserve, feeling the mist on your skin and hearing the thunderous crash of water on rock, a world away from the city.
This tour juxtaposes two of central Malaysia's most well-known sensory experiences, the devotional grandeur of a Hindu shrine and the untamed force of a tropical waterfall, in one easy, private journey.
Insider tip: For the waterfall visit, wear secure, water-friendly shoes with grip, as the rocks near the pool are perpetually slick from the spray and algae.
Where to Stay in Malaysia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Tropicana the residence klcc Kuala by gold suites
From $54 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Malaysia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the crowded ferry to the Perhentians from Kuala Besut. If you're feeling flush, fly from Subang Airport to Redang or the Perhentians. This saves half a day. You'll arrive when the water is glassy calm in the morning.
The best durian isn't at fancy restaurants. Go to a dedicated durian stall in the evening, like those in SS2, Petaling Jaya. Tell the seller your budget. Let them choose a fruit for you. They'll crack it open at your plastic table so you can taste it first.
If you're in Kuala Lumpur during a downpour, duck into a *kopitiam* (traditional coffee shop). Order a *kopi peng* (iced coffee). Watch the world flood outside. This is a daily ritual for locals. It's the best people-watching you'll find.
Want empty beaches on Langkawi? Rent a scooter. Head to Tanjung Rhu or the Datai Bay area mid-week. The sand is blindingly white. The water is turquoise. You'll have it mostly to yourself, save for the occasional eagle soaring overhead.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never assume the weather is the same across the country. Booking a beach holiday on the East Coast in early December is a gamble. Meanwhile, the West Coast is sunny. Always check the monsoon patterns for your specific region.
Book inter-city transport early. December is when Malaysians travel to their hometowns. Buses, trains, and domestic flights sell out fast. This happens around the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Never underestimate the sun. That 11 UV index is no joke. You see tourists daily with beet-red shoulders at Batu Caves. Apply sunscreen liberally and repeatedly, even when it feels cloudy.
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