Things to Do in Udon Thani in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Udon Thani
Long-run averages for December
85°F (29°C)
High Temp
62°F (16°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
68%
Humidity
0
Rainy Days
8
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Agricultural burning in the surrounding countryside can lead to periods of haze and reduced air quality, in the mornings. Those with respiratory sensitivities should be prepared.
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Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December nails the balance. Cool nights let you sleep without air-con. Warm, dry afternoons feel closer to European summer than tropical winter. Pack a light jacket for dawn. A t-shirt works at noon. The air carries a pleasant, dry bite.
- + The skies perform. Sunsets over Nong Prajak Park explode in deep oranges and purples. Stars at Ban Chiang feel closer than they have in months. Low humidity makes every outdoor exploration effortless, from temple grounds to archaeological sites.
- + Crowds vanish. While southern Thailand jams up, Udon Thani in December belongs to locals and a handful of savvy travelers. You'll have Phra That Bang Phuan's chedi alone. Find a seat at any market stall. Hear the actual city, not tourist noise.
- + Festival season arrives without the crush. December brings local temple fairs (ngan wat) and New Year build-up. Stumble upon impromptu markets selling grilled moo ping and sweet Thai desserts. Mor lam music drifts from temple courtyards in the cool evening air.
Considerations
- − It's peak burning season for sugarcane and rice fields surrounding the city. The haze settles in, mornings, muting the horizon. A faint, sweet-smoky scent lingers. Views from tall structures like the UD Town clock tower disappoint.
- − Domestic tourists from Bangkok know this weather. Weekends spike, around the King's Birthday (early December) and New Year's Eve. Major hotels and Central Plaza mall see noticeable crowds. Still nothing like high season elsewhere.
- − Famous night markets along Nong Sim Lake operate at full strength. Seasonal countryside experiences, certain floating markets and village-specific festivals, slow down. This is family and temple time.
Settled on December? Compare hotel prices in Udon Thani for your dates on Trip.com.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Ban Chiang Archaeological Site Exploration
December is the time. The UNESCO site's open-air museum and excavated pits sit entirely outdoors. Cool, dry weather lets you explore for hours without drowning in sweat. Hard-packed earth paths stay dust-free and firm. Low morning haze adds atmosphere to ancient burial sites. An excellent historical experience in perfect comfort.
Booking Tip: Visit independently via rental car or hired songthaew. For deeper context, a licensed guide specializing in Isan history transforms the experience. Seek operators with archaeology-focused descriptions. See current guided tour options in the booking section below.
Countryside Bicycle Tours
This belongs to December alone. For most of the year, cycling outside the city is a hot, sweaty endurance test. Now, with temperatures in the high 70s Fahrenheit (mid-20s Celsius), it's a joy. Pedal past golden rice fields being harvested. Ride through villages where morning air carries charcoal and grilling fish. Cruise roads lined with blooming rain trees. The terrain is flat. The skies are wide. You'll hear the rhythmic *thump-thump-thump* of rice being winnowed.
Booking Tip: Book a few days ahead for a quality bike. Choose tours starting early (7-8 AM) for best light and coolest air. Insist on a local market stop for a proper Isan breakfast. See current cycling tour options in the booking widget.
Sunset & Evening Food Crawls at Nong Prajak Park
As dusk falls and temperatures drop to sweater-weather chill, Nong Prajak Park becomes Udon Thani's heart. Join locals on their evening constitutional (wiang tao). Fairy lights line the lake path. Giant squid sizzles on charcoal grills. Roti drizzles with condensed milk. Grab a snack. Find a bench. Watch giant catfish swirl as the sky turns pastel. This isn't a tour. It's how the city lives.
Booking Tip: No booking needed. This is free. Just show up after 5 PM. For a structured introduction to Isan street food, consider a guided evening food tour starting here. Check the booking section for food-focused walking tours.
Temple & Spiritual Site Circuit
Temple complexes around Udon Thani demand slow wandering. Wat Phothisomphon's white and gold dazzles. Wat Pa Ban Tad's forest setting soothes. December's coolness makes this possible. Remove your shoes. Feel cool marble floors. Sit in meditation halls without suffocating. Climb Phra That Bang Phuan's majestic chedi stairs for panoramic views of hazy, harvest-time countryside. The light softens. The atmosphere deepens.
Booking Tip: Private transport or a hired driver works best. Sites spread out. A knowledgeable driver suggests lesser-known *wat* along the way. Search for 'Udon Thani temple tour' or 'cultural tour' options including multiple sites.
Red Lotus Sea (Talay Bua Daeng) Lake Tours
Timing matters. Millions of pink lotus flowers cover this vast lake 50 km (31 miles) from the city, blooming from late December. Be on the water at sunrise, when flowers open. In December, that means gliding through mist in a long-tail boat, crisp cool morning air surrounding you. A memorable, sometimes chilly, experience. By late month, the pink sea peaks.
Booking Tip: This demands a very early start (around 4 AM from Udon Thani). Book a shared van tour with guaranteed sunrise boat trip for reliability. Ensure the operator confirms bloom status for your dates. See current Red Lotus Lake tour options below.
Where to Stay in Udon Thani in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday; National Day; National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday (in lieu); National Day (in lieu); National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Granted in lieu when the holiday falls at a weekend. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
New Year's Eve
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday; National Day; National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday (in lieu); National Day (in lieu); National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Granted in lieu when the holiday falls at a weekend. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
New Year's Eve
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday; National Day; National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Granted in lieu when the holiday falls at a weekend. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
New Year's Eve
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Packing Checklist
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View Udon Thani Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
For the best *khao soi* (curried noodle soup) in Udon Thani, head to the decades-old shop near the train station in the early afternoon. The rich, coconutty broth tastes even better in the cool weather. The place is packed with locals, not tourists. Look for the line.
Rent a motorbike for a day. But only for city cruising. The freedom to zip around Nong Prajak Lake at dusk or explore back sois is wonderful in the cool air. Avoid long countryside rides. The haze from field burning can irritate eyes and lungs.
Visit the fresh market at *Talat Ton Pho* (the big tree market) in the morning. In December, you'll see seasonal specialties like fresh tamarind pods and certain wild mushrooms that aren't available other times of year. The vibe is all business. Listen for the sound of cleavers and the smell of just-butchered meat and pungent *pla ra* (fermented fish).
If you're here over a weekend, take a drive out to *Ban Na Kha* for their weekend market. It's more rural. Vendors sell everything from hand-woven baskets to live frogs. The grilled river fish, eaten with sticky rice and dipped in spicy *jaew* sauce while sitting on a mat, is a classic December-in-Isan experience.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't underestimate the cold at night. That 62°F (16°C) feels a lot colder on a motorbike or after you've acclimatized to the tropical day. Packing only t-shirts is a recipe for buying an overpriced, ugly sweater from the night market.
Don't assume everything is open on major holidays like Constitution Day (Dec 10) or New Year's Eve/Day. Government offices, museums (like Ban Chiang), and some smaller shops may close. Always check ahead for specific dates.
Avoid trying to do too much in the midday sun. While pleasant, the hours between 11 AM and 2 PM are still the warmest. This is the perfect time for a long, leisurely indoor lunch, not for climbing temple stairs. Follow the local rhythm: active morning, slow afternoon, active evening.
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