Things to Do in Albuquerque in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Albuquerque
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Festival season peaks with River of Lights at the Botanic Garden and Old Town tree lighting ceremonies - the city transforms into a genuine winter wonderland without the brutal cold you'd get elsewhere in the region
- Sandia Peak skiing typically opens mid-December, giving you the rare opportunity to ski in the morning at 3,163 m (10,378 ft) and hike desert trails in 21°C (70°F) weather by afternoon - genuinely unique to Albuquerque
- Crowds thin out considerably after Christmas week, meaning you'll have major attractions like Petroglyph National Monument and the Bosque Trail mostly to yourself while still enjoying mild weather
- December brings luminaria displays throughout Old Town and the North Valley neighborhoods - paper bag lanterns lit with candles create an atmospheric evening experience that's deeply rooted in local tradition and costs nothing to enjoy
Considerations
- Weather becomes genuinely unpredictable in December - you might wake up to 27°C (80°F) sunshine and end the day in a surprise snowstorm that drops temperatures to -7°C (20°F), making packing a strategic challenge
- Many local restaurants and smaller galleries close for extended periods around Christmas week, particularly December 24-26, which can leave you scrambling for dinner options if you haven't planned ahead
- The Balloon Fiesta grounds sit empty and the city's signature event is nine months away - if you're visiting specifically for hot air balloons, December will disappoint you entirely
Best Activities in December
Sandia Peak Tramway and Mountain Activities
December is when Sandia Peak actually becomes interesting for winter sports enthusiasts. The ski area typically opens mid-month, and the tramway ride up 1,200 m (4,000 ft) of vertical gain gives you dramatic temperature shifts - you'll leave the desert floor in light layers and arrive at the summit needing a proper winter jacket. The contrast is striking and worth experiencing even if you don't ski. Morning rides offer the clearest views before afternoon clouds roll in.
Rio Grande Bosque Walking and Bird Watching
The cottonwood forest along the Rio Grande becomes a winter refuge for migratory birds in December - sandhill cranes, Canada geese, and various duck species congregate here. Early morning walks between 7-9am offer the best wildlife viewing when temperatures are still cool, around 4-10°C (40-50°F). The trees are bare by December, which actually improves sightlines for spotting birds. You'll have the trails largely to yourself except for dedicated birders and dog walkers.
Old Town Plaza Walking Tours and Gallery Browsing
December transforms Old Town into something actually worth your time - the plaza gets decorated with thousands of luminarias on Christmas Eve and weekends leading up to it, and the galleries shift to holiday art markets with local artisans selling directly. The tourist trap vibe softens considerably. Late afternoon visits around 4-5pm let you browse in comfortable 15-18°C (60-65°F) temperatures before the evening chill sets in. San Felipe de Neri Church, built in 1793, offers free entry and provides genuine historical context.
Petroglyph National Monument Hiking
December is actually ideal for petroglyph viewing - the low winter sun angle creates better shadows on the rock carvings, making them more visible than in summer's overhead light. Temperatures peak around 10-15°C (50-60°F) midday, perfect for the exposed volcanic rock trails that offer zero shade. The Boca Negra Canyon trail gives you 100+ petroglyphs in a 1.6 km (1 mile) loop that takes about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. Rinconada Canyon offers a longer 3.5 km (2.2 mile) option with fewer crowds.
New Mexico Cuisine and Brewery Tours
December is green chile roasting season's opposite - you'll find red chile at peak ripeness and local restaurants shifting to heartier posole and carne adovada dishes perfect for cooler evenings. The craft brewery scene concentrates in the Nob Hill and downtown districts, with most offering free tours on weekends. Food tours that combine red and green chile education with brewery stops give you cultural context you won't get from just wandering randomly. Evening tours work well since December darkness arrives by 5pm anyway.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Experiences
December brings winter dance performances at the Cultural Center and various pueblos within 40 km (25 miles) of the city. These are actual ceremonial dances, not tourist performances, and photography is typically prohibited - which keeps the experience genuine. The Cultural Center itself provides crucial context about New Mexico's 19 pueblos through exhibits that locals actually consider accurate, unlike some of the Old Town tourist shops. Winter dances often occur on weekends, particularly around Christmas.
December Events & Festivals
ABQ BioPark River of Lights
The Botanic Garden transforms into a walk-through light display with over 500 illuminated sculptures and holiday-themed installations. This runs nightly from late November through early January, and locals actually attend - it's not just a tourist trap. The 1.6 km (1 mile) walking path takes about 90 minutes to complete at a relaxed pace. December evenings drop to 0-4°C (32-40°F), so you'll need layers, but the crowds thin considerably after Christmas week.
Old Town Holiday Stroll and Luminaria Displays
Traditional luminarias line Old Town Plaza and surrounding streets on Christmas Eve and select December weekends. These are paper bags weighted with sand and lit with candles - simple but genuinely atmospheric when hundreds line the adobe buildings and walkways. Local musicians perform in the plaza gazebo, and San Felipe de Neri Church offers special evening services. The tradition dates back centuries and remains authentic despite Old Town's tourist-heavy reputation.
Twirl 'n' Swirl Ice Skating at Civic Plaza
Downtown's outdoor ice rink operates through December and January, offering skating with the city skyline as backdrop. It's a modest rink by big-city standards, but locals use it heavily on weekend evenings. Skating sessions run about 10-12 USD including rental skates. The surrounding plaza hosts occasional live music and hot chocolate vendors, creating a genuine community gathering spot rather than a manufactured tourist attraction.