Brazil in December: Weather and Travel Tips

Summer in Brazil starts in December, with temperatures rising and high levels of humidity due to the return of the heavy rainfalls. While temperatures fluctuate between 19°C and 27°C, you can expect heavy rains almost every day with the odd thunderstorm and tropical monsoon. Despite the month having more than 22 days of rain, the warm temperatures make it a great time to visit—but remember to pack an umbrella and rain boots to stay dry!

For a seasonal overview of the weather in Brazil, visit our guide on the best time to visit Brazil.

December in Brazil draws visitors to experience the gorgeous summer weather and a traditional Brazilian Christmas. There are plenty of great reasons to visit Brazil in December!

• Christmas celebrations: Christmas is one of the most important holidays in Brazil, with people celebrating the holiday on the night of the 24th. Christmas Day is usually spent eating, drinking, and being merry with family, while locals spend the day chilling out on the beach. In Gramado—the Christmas Capital of Brazil— locals observe the Natal Lux Festival (Christmas of Lights). The tradition has been in practice for over 40 years and draws millions of visitors from mid-November to mid-January.
• Reveillon: New Year’s Eve (known locally as Reveillon) is a popular holiday in Brazil and one of the most celebrated events with lots of big parties all over the country. One of the most famous is Reveillon in Copacabana— thousands of people dressed in white flock to the beach. Expect music, dancing, vibrant parades, and spectacular fireworks displays.
• Great Beach Weather: Explore a few of Brazil’s cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo on a City Tour and take in the rich culture and history of the country and taste the delicious local cuisine. If wandering around a city isn’t your thing, head out to one of Brazil’s beautiful beaches and soak up some sun and surf. 

December in Brazil offers a wealth of exciting things to see and do despite the rainy weather. Christmas is an important holiday on the Catholic calendar for Brazilians, and celebrations are in full swing during December. Lapa's vibrant, bohemian center comes alive with colorful Christmas street markets, traditionally held on the first Saturday every week during December. You can shop for the perfect gift against a backdrop of live samba music.

Head to Gramado, a charming Euro-style town with quaint alpine houses dazzling in Christmas lights during the annual Natal Luz (Christmas of Lights) Festival. The city is also home to the Chocolate Factory, a major season highlight.

New Year's Eve is celebrated in grand style in Rio de Janeiro. More than two million visitors flock to the city to enjoy dancing, music, and one of the largest firework displays in the world on the world-renowned Copacabana beach.

If you want to escape the Christmas crowds in Rio, take a stroll through the beautiful botanical gardens in Inhotim in Minas Gerais. You can find over 4,500 plant species here—many of which are endemic.

Likewise, Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil, also has its fair share of fascinating things to see and do in December. For instance, visit the magnificent Cathedral of Brasilia (Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Aparecida) to witness the ornate Roman Catholic cathedral decorated in stunning stained glass, bronze statues, and a bell tower that all reflect the joy of the Christmas season.

December is a fantastic time to visit Brazil if you want to enjoy the spirit of Christmas in the true Brazilian style and celebrate the new year at one of the biggest parties on the planet. Apart from loud parties and festivities, December is also a great time to explore cities like Brasilia and the European-style town of Gramado.

Design your tailor-made itinerary with the expert guidance of our local travel expert to customize your trip to Brazil. Check out Brazil tours in December for more inspiration and an adventure of a lifetime.

Brazil in November
Brazil in January