Things to Do in Melaka in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Melaka
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Northeast monsoon actually brings the driest period to Melaka's west coast - you're looking at roughly 10 rainy days versus 15-18 in November, with most showers happening late afternoon and clearing by dinner. Perfect timing for morning heritage walks and evening river cruises.
- School holidays haven't kicked in yet for Malaysian families (those start late December), so the first three weeks are genuinely quieter at Jonker Street and A Famosa. You'll actually get photos at Christ Church without 50 people in the frame, and hawker stalls have shorter queues - typically 5-10 minutes versus 20-30 during peak periods.
- December sits right in the middle of durian off-season, which locals will tell you is actually ideal - you get the full Peranakan dining experience without every dessert being durian-flavored, and cendol tastes like cendol should. Plus, the absence of durian means Mahkota Parade food court smells considerably better.
- The 31°C (88°F) highs are genuinely manageable compared to March-May when it pushes 35°C (95°F). That 4-degree difference matters when you're walking the 2.5 km (1.6 mile) heritage trail - you'll sweat, obviously, but it's not the kind of heat that forces you indoors by 11am.
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable - not the reliable 3pm showers you get in some Southeast Asian destinations. Rain might hit at 11am or 5pm or not at all, which makes planning boat trips to Pulau Besar tricky. Local operators typically decide go/no-go by 8am based on weather forecasts, so you need flexibility in your itinerary.
- The 70% humidity is persistent and doesn't really drop at night like it does in January-February. Your clothes won't fully dry overnight if you hand-wash them, and that sticky feeling is constant. Air conditioning becomes non-negotiable for accommodation - budget guesthouses without AC are genuinely uncomfortable for sleeping.
- Late December (26th onwards) sees Malaysian domestic tourists flood in for school holidays, and hotel prices jump 40-60% overnight. A room at a mid-range heritage hotel that costs RM180 (approximately USD 40) on December 20th will be RM280-300 (approximately USD 62-66) on December 27th, if you can even find availability.
Best Activities in December
Heritage Walking Tours Through UNESCO Sites
December mornings from 7am-10am offer the best conditions all year for exploring the 2.5 km (1.6 mile) core heritage zone. The temperature sits around 24-26°C (75-79°F), humidity hasn't peaked yet, and the low-angle morning light makes the Stadthuys and Christ Church absolutely glow that distinctive salmon-pink color. Most group tours start at 9am, but going at 7am means you'll have Harmony Street practically to yourself - just you, the temples, and locals doing morning prayers. The weather advantage is significant: by 11am it's already 30°C (86°F) and you'll be seeking shade.
Peranakan Cooking Classes
December is actually ideal for cooking classes because you're working indoors during the hottest part of the day, and the seasonal ingredients are excellent - ladies fingers, long beans, and fresh turmeric are all at their peak. The classes typically run 10am-2pm, which perfectly avoids the afternoon rain window. You'll learn dishes like ayam pongteh and otak-otak that use December's market produce. Worth noting: these classes book up faster in December than other months because it's a popular rainy-day backup activity, so the earlier you reserve, the better.
Evening River Cruises on Melaka River
The 45-minute river cruises are genuinely better in December than the hotter months because the 6:30pm-8pm time slot is actually comfortable - around 26-27°C (79-81°F) with a slight breeze off the water. The variable December weather means you might get dramatic sunset clouds that make the murals along the riverbank pop in photos. The boats are open-air, so you're not stuck in a stuffy cabin, and the humidity drops just enough by evening that it's pleasant rather than oppressive. Rain is possible but the boats have canopy covers, and locals will tell you a light rain on the river is actually atmospheric.
Cycling Routes to Portuguese Settlement and Coastal Villages
December mornings are perfect for the 12 km (7.5 mile) coastal route from town center to Portuguese Settlement and back. Start by 7am and you'll have 3 hours of comfortable cycling before the heat peaks. The route is flat, mostly along coastal roads, and the northeast monsoon means you're cycling with a tailwind heading east. The Portuguese Settlement area is genuinely interesting in December - you'll catch fishermen bringing in morning catches, and the seafood restaurants are preparing for lunch service. The 10 rainy days average means 20 days of clear mornings - decent odds.
Indoor Museum Circuit During Afternoon Rain Windows
With 10 rainy days in December, having a solid indoor backup plan matters. Melaka's museum circuit - Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, Straits Chinese Jewelry Museum, and Cheng Ho Cultural Museum - works perfectly for the 2pm-5pm afternoon period when rain is most likely. These aren't massive museums; each takes 45-90 minutes, and they're all within a 500 m (1,640 ft) radius of each other. The air conditioning is a welcome break from humidity, and you're experiencing genuine Peranakan heritage rather than killing time. The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum in particular requires a guided tour (included in admission), and December tour groups are smaller than peak season.
Night Market and Street Food Tours on Jonker Street
The Jonker Walk Night Market runs Friday-Sunday evenings, and December weather is actually ideal for it - the market operates 6pm-11pm when temperatures drop to 24-26°C (75-79°F), and the earlier sunset (around 7pm) means the atmosphere kicks in sooner. The 70% humidity makes the food stalls' grilling and steaming even more atmospheric, and December crowds are manageable compared to Chinese New Year or school holiday periods. You'll get the full sensory experience - satay smoke, cendol vendors, chicken rice balls - without being shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists. Rain occasionally disrupts the market, but vendors have tarps and it usually doesn't shut down completely.
December Events & Festivals
Christmas Celebrations at Portuguese Settlement
The Portuguese Settlement (Kampung Portugis) goes all-out for Christmas with decorations, midnight mass at St. Peter's Church on December 24th, and special seafood dinners at the waterfront restaurants throughout the week leading up to Christmas. It's one of the few places in Malaysia where Christmas is genuinely a community celebration rather than just a commercial holiday. The atmosphere is festive but not touristy - you're experiencing a 500-year-old Eurasian Catholic community's actual traditions. The seafood restaurants serve special Portuguese-Malay fusion dishes like devil curry and feng that aren't on regular menus.
New Year's Eve River Countdown
December 31st brings crowds to the Melaka River area for countdown celebrations, fireworks over the water, and extended hours for river cruises. The riverside bars and restaurants run special menus, and there's typically live music along the waterfront promenade. It's gotten more popular in recent years, so expect genuine crowds (5,000-8,000 people) and higher prices for that night specifically. The fireworks launch from near Jambatan Hang Tuah around midnight - viewing spots fill up by 11pm.