Things to Do in Udon Thani in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Udon Thani
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December delivers the year's clearest skies - morning haze that normally blankets the plateau lifts by 9 AM, giving you postcard views of the 200 km (124 mile) horizon from Phu Foi Lom overlook
- Local markets overflow with seasonal produce you'll never see elsewhere - tiny orange makhwaen peppers, fresh tamarind still in pods, and nam phrik num roasted in clay pots over charcoal fires
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% from peak season while temperatures hover at that sweet spot where you won't sweat through your shirt walking between the city's 15 Buddhist temples
- Nightlife shifts indoors to proper venues - live molam bands at Tawan Daeng that start on time, and proper cocktail bars where you can hear conversation over the music
Considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms hit 60% of days between 3-5 PM - they'll drench you in minutes but pass just as quickly, so outdoor temple visits need morning timing
- The UV index hits 8 even in 'winter' - you'll burn faster here at 180 m (591 ft) elevation than at Thai beaches, between 11 AM and 3 PM
- Some rural attractions close early for harvest season - Ban Chiang archaeological site gates shut at 4 PM instead of 6 PM, cutting short afternoon visits
Best Activities in December
Temple Cycling Routes
December mornings are perfect for the 12 km (7.5 mile) temple circuit - temperatures sit in the low 20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit) with minimal traffic on the ring road. Start at 7 AM from Wat Pa Ban Tat and you'll have the gold-plated chedi to yourself before monks finish morning chants. The flat terrain makes it manageable even if you haven't been on a bike since childhood.
Ban Chiang Archaeological Tours
This UNESCO site 50 km (31 miles) east reveals 5,000-year-old pottery shards that still surface after heavy December rains. The red earth turns lively against green rice paddies, and the on-site museum's air-conditioning provides relief during afternoon heat spikes. December's lower humidity means the outdoor excavation pits don't turn to mud.
Night Market Food Crawls
December evenings drop to comfortable levels where you can taste the food instead of just sweat. The Tuesday/Thursday market along Prajak Sillapakhom Road stretches 800 m (0.5 miles) with vendors who've perfected dishes over decades - look for aunties who only sell one thing, like the woman who's made only grilled catfish with 15-herb stuffing for 30 years.
Mekong River Boat Trips
December's lower water levels reveal sandbanks perfect for impromptu beach picnics on the Lao side. The 90-minute cruise from Nong Khai (50 km/31 miles north) passes fishing villages where stilt houses stand 3 m (10 ft) above current water levels - you'll see why locals call this the 'hungry season' as fish migrate downstream.
Village Homestay Experiences
Harvest-season homestays in Ban Phue district show you real Isan life - wake to roosters at 5 AM, learn to pound roasted rice for khao khua, and discover why locals eat sticky rice with every meal (hint: it's the only rice that won't spoil in 35°C/95°F heat without refrigeration). December's cool mornings make outdoor cooking lessons bearable.
December Events & Festivals
Udon Thani Red Cross Fair
The city's biggest fair takes over Thung Si Mueang park with Ferris wheels, live molam concerts, and food stalls serving dishes you won't find elsewhere - try the grilled frog basted with lemongrass oil. Local businesses donate prizes for nightly raffles that fund medical supplies for rural clinics.