India, Asia

Goa in December

Peak season with the most atmosphere. The feast of St Francis Xavier on December 3, then Christmas and New Year crowds.

BestDry and warm, highs near 90F (32C)

Goa beach, India — GoaPhoto: Original: Vyacheslav Argenberg Derivative work: UnpetitproleX, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Goa. Peak season with the most atmosphere. The feast of St Francis Xavier on December 3, then Christmas and New Year crowds.

Weather: Dry and warm, highs near 90F (32C)
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Goa

December is Goa's biggest month. Days are dry and warm, with highs near 90F (32C) and calm seas, and every shack, market and beach hut is open. It starts with the feast of St Francis Xavier on December 3 and builds to Christmas and New Year, when the state fills with visitors and hotel prices can triple.

December suits travelers who want Goa at its liveliest and book months ahead. Families wanting calm beaches should stay in south Goa or come in the first half of the month. If you want quiet and value, skip the Christmas to New Year stretch and pick January or February.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Goa this month.

Feast of St Francis Xavier

On December 3, pilgrims gather at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa to honor the saint. Expect big crowds around the churches.

Christmas in Goa

Churches, homes and villages are lit up, midnight Mass is widely attended, and bakeries turn out bebinca and other Goan sweets.

Peak beach weather

Calm seas and clear skies make this the easiest month for long beach days and dolphin boat trips.

What to pack for December

Swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen
A smart-casual outfit for Christmas or New Year dinners
A light layer for cooler evenings
Earplugs if you are staying in north Goa

Our timing tip

Avoid roughly December 20 to January 2 unless you book months ahead, and come in the first two weeks for the same weather at far lower prices.

Book Goa for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Goa
Opens a hotel search for Goa in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Goa
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Goa
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Goa for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Feast of St Francis Xavier

December 3 every year

Pilgrims come to Old Goa to honor the saint. His body is brought down for a public exposition only about once every ten years, most recently from late 2024 into early 2025.

Things to do in Goa

Full guide

Old Goa churches

The Basilica of Bom Jesus, with the relics of St Francis Xavier, and the Se Cathedral. Go early before the day-trip buses arrive.

Tickets and tours →

Fontainhas, Panaji

The old Latin quarter, with colorful houses and small cafes. Best explored on foot in the morning.

Tickets and tours →

South Goa beaches

Palolem, Agonda, Patnem, and Cola are calmer than the north. Beach hut camps operate from about November to April.

Tickets and tours →

Anjuna Flea Market

A Wednesday market that runs in the dry season, roughly November to April.

Tickets and tours →

Dudhsagar Falls

A huge four-tiered waterfall on the Karnataka border. It is fullest in the monsoon, but jeep access is usually suspended then; visit from October.

Tickets and tours →

Spice plantations near Ponda

Tours with a Goan lunch. Especially lush after the monsoon.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Avoid December 20 to January 2. Rates spike, and the beaches and roads are packed with holiday traffic.
Stay in south Goa (Agonda, Patnem, Palolem) for calmer beaches, and visit north Goa on day trips.
Visit Old Goa churches early in the morning on a weekday, when day-trip tour buses are fewer.
Early November and late February are the smart months: full dry-season weather with a fraction of the peak crowds.

Know before you go

Licensed beach shacks operate roughly from October or November to May. They are dismantled during the monsoon and many beach huts and small hotels close.
During the monsoon (June to September), swimming is dangerous; lifeguards post red flags and swimming is often banned.
Jeep safaris to Dudhsagar Falls are usually suspended during the monsoon for safety.
Markets like the Anjuna Flea Market and the Saturday night markets operate in the dry season only.

Goa in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Goa?

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Goa. Peak season with the most atmosphere. The feast of St Francis Xavier on December 3, then Christmas and New Year crowds.

What is the weather like in Goa in December?

Dry and warm, highs near 90F (32C).

Is Goa crowded in December?

December is peak crowd season in Goa; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Goa in December?

Feast of St Francis Xavier (december 3 every year).