Things to Do in Palestine in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Palestine
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Olive harvest season is in full swing - you'll see families working the groves throughout the West Bank, and fresh-pressed olive oil is everywhere. Local markets in Ramallah and Nablus sell this year's harvest at prices that drop by late December, typically 50-70 NIS per liter versus 80-100 NIS in other months.
- Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem are extraordinary in December, building through the month. Manger Square transforms completely, and you'll experience three different Christmas celebrations - Western on December 25th, Orthodox on January 7th (preparations start late December), and Armenian on January 19th. The atmosphere from mid-December onward is unlike anywhere else in the world.
- Comfortable hiking weather makes this ideal for exploring Wadi Qelt, the Judean Desert trails, and walking tours through old cities. That 7-17°C (45-63°F) range means you can actually walk Hebron's old city or hike to Mar Saba monastery without the exhausting heat you'd face May through September. Mornings are crisp, afternoons are pleasant.
- Significantly fewer tour groups compared to Easter season (March-April) means you'll have more authentic interactions and shorter waits at checkpoints. Hotels in Bethlehem and Ramallah offer better rates in early December before Christmas week drives prices up 40-60%.
Considerations
- Checkpoint delays can be unpredictable and longer during December due to increased Israeli military presence around Christmas season. What normally takes 20 minutes at Qalandia might stretch to 90 minutes, particularly on Fridays and during the week leading up to December 25th. This makes day-trip planning frustrating.
- Bethlehem accommodation becomes extremely difficult to find and expensive during the final two weeks of December. Hotels that cost 250-300 NIS in early December jump to 500-700 NIS for Christmas week, and many require 3-night minimums. If Bethlehem is your priority, you're essentially forced to book 2-3 months ahead or stay elsewhere.
- Rain is genuinely unpredictable - those 10 rainy days don't follow a pattern, and when it rains, many unpaved areas in refugee camps and older neighborhoods become muddy and difficult to navigate. Palestinian infrastructure for rain drainage is limited, so streets in Ramallah and Nablus can flood quickly during heavier downpours.
Best Activities in December
Bethlehem Christmas Market and Old City Walking Tours
December is obviously the month for Bethlehem. Beyond the Church of the Nativity, the entire old city comes alive with markets, street performances, and community gatherings. The Christmas market in Manger Square typically opens around December 10th and runs through January 7th. Early December gives you the festive atmosphere without the crushing crowds of December 20-26th. The weather is actually perfect for walking - cool enough that you're comfortable exploring the narrow stone streets for hours. Local artisans sell olive wood carvings, embroidered goods, and ceramics at prices that are negotiable early in the month before tourist numbers peak.
Olive Oil Mill Tours and Harvest Experiences
December is tail-end harvest season, and many family-run mills in villages around Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin still process olives through mid-December. This isn't a tourist activity you'll find easily online - you typically arrange through local contacts or guesthouses. The experience involves watching the cold-press process, tasting fresh oil (the peppery bite of new oil is completely different from what you buy in stores), and often sharing lunch with farming families. The weather makes this perfect - you're outdoors in groves and working mills without summer's heat.
Judean Desert and Wadi Qelt Hiking
The desert is actually accessible in December - something that's genuinely miserable in summer when temperatures hit 35-40°C (95-104°F). Wadi Qelt trail from Jerusalem to Jericho is stunning, passing St. George's Monastery clinging to canyon walls. The 17°C (63°F) afternoon highs mean you can hike comfortably from 9am to 3pm. The desert landscape is at its most colorful after any December rains - brief green growth appears, and the rock formations show deeper color contrasts. Sunrise hikes to Mar Saba monastery or sunset walks in Wadi Qelt are comfortable without the brutal heat or freezing nights of other seasons.
Hebron Old City and Souk Exploration
Hebron's old city is fascinating and complex - the divided city with Israeli settlements in the center creates a unique, sometimes tense atmosphere. December weather makes the extensive walking bearable. The covered souks are atmospheric, selling everything from hand-blown glass (Hebron is famous for this) to spices and textiles. The Ibrahimi Mosque/Cave of the Patriarchs is significant for all three Abrahamic religions. Worth noting that Hebron requires more cultural sensitivity than other Palestinian cities - dress conservatively, and understand you'll pass through multiple checkpoints. The old city is largely empty of tourists in December, which makes interactions with local shopkeepers more genuine.
Ramallah Contemporary Culture and Food Scene
Ramallah is Palestine's cultural capital and feels completely different from Bethlehem or Hebron - younger, more cosmopolitan, with excellent cafes, galleries, and restaurants. December is actually when the city feels most vibrant, as the weather drives people to outdoor cafes and the Christmas season brings cultural events. The Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival often runs in early December, and various galleries have year-end exhibitions. The food scene is legitimately excellent - from traditional Palestinian restaurants serving musakhan and maqluba to newer fusion places. Al-Manara Square and the old city area are walkable and atmospheric in December evenings.
Nablus Old City and Traditional Soap Factory Visits
Nablus is famous for olive oil soap production, and December is perfect timing - you'll see new batches being made with fresh olive oil from this year's harvest. The old city is one of Palestine's most intact Ottoman-era centers, with narrow covered alleys and traditional soap factories that have operated for generations. The soap-making process is genuinely interesting - watching workers pour, cut, and stack the distinctive green-gold blocks. The city also has excellent knafeh (Nablus claims to have invented it), and December weather makes walking the hilly old city comfortable. Nablus gets far fewer tourists than Bethlehem, so experiences feel more authentic.
December Events & Festivals
Bethlehem Christmas Celebrations
This is the main event in Palestine during December. Manger Square hosts the official Christmas tree lighting in early December, typically the first Saturday of the month, with performances and celebrations. The Latin Patriarchate's midnight mass on December 24th is the centerpiece event, broadcast internationally, but requires tickets obtained months in advance through the church. Scout parades, choirs from around the world, and nightly performances happen throughout December. The atmosphere builds steadily - early December is festive but manageable, while December 20-26 is absolutely packed with pilgrims and tourists.
Olive Harvest Festivals
Various villages throughout the West Bank hold olive harvest festivals in early December, celebrating the end of harvest season. These are community events rather than tourist-focused festivals - you'll see traditional dabke dancing, taste new olive oil, and experience Palestinian rural culture. The exact dates and locations vary by village and harvest timing. Villages near Ramallah, Jenin, and Nablus typically host these. Ask at cultural centers or guesthouses about festivals happening during your visit.