In December Rio switches into summer mode: heat, long days, frequent rain and a city getting ready for Réveillon. With Christmas and New Year's Eve in the same month, it pays to plan further ahead than at other times of year. This guide tells you what to expect from the weather, the holidays and bookings.
At a glance
- Weather: the height of the rainy and hot season. According to the Sistema Alerta Rio, December is the second-rainiest month of the year, after January.
- Christmas: December 25 is a national holiday; in 2026 it falls on a Friday. The 24th and the 31st are half-day pontos facultativos (optional days off) in the federal administration.
- Réveillon: the night of December 31 to January 1 is the month's busiest date.
- Bookings: the closer to year-end, the earlier you should book flights and accommodation.
- Heat: plan your days around the heat level the city publishes.
What the weather is like
The Sistema Alerta Rio climate report ↗, from the city government, analyzes rainfall from 1997 to 2024 and temperature from 2014 to 2024. About December, it says:
- Rain: January is the rainiest month (169.2 mm on average), followed by December and March.
- Heat: December is, along with January, February and March, one of the months with average minimum temperatures above 20 °C. In other words, nights are hot too.
These are averages, not a forecast. In practice, leave some leeway in outdoor plans and keep an indoor alternative. On very hot days, the Centro de Operações Rio publishes alert levels: we explain how to read them in heat in Rio.
Christmas and holidays
According to the official 2026 calendar ↗ from the Ministério da Gestão:
| Date | What it is | Day of the week in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| December 24 | Véspera de Natal: ponto facultativo from 1 p.m. | Thursday |
| December 25 | Natal: national holiday | Friday |
| December 31 | Véspera de Ano Novo: ponto facultativo from 1 p.m. | Thursday |
| January 1, 2027 | Confraternização Universal: national holiday | Friday |
The ponto facultativo applies to the federal public administration; shops and services may cut their hours on those days, and each one decides. On the December 25 holiday, the metro runs on its Sunday schedule, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., according to MetrôRio ↗.
Christmas decorations and events: in 2025, Riotur announced the return of the Lagoa Christmas tree ↗, lit on December 6 and illuminated until January 6. The 2026 program has not been announced yet: it is published close to the date on Riotur's and the city government's channels. If it happens again, a walk around the lagoon makes a good evening plan; we explain how to get around it in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
The run-up to Réveillon
The Réveillon that welcomes 2027 takes place on the night of December 31, 2026. Demand for accommodation near the beach rises sharply in those days, and many hotels apply special conditions for those dates, such as minimum stays. Before booking:
- See the Réveillon 2027 guide to decide where and how to spend the night.
- Check what conditions hotels set for New Year's.
- Remember that Riotur publishes the stage and fireworks program close to the date.
If your dates are flexible, the first half of December keeps you away from the Christmas and New Year's nights, which tend to come with the most special conditions.
What to do in December
- Beach first thing in the morning: and check the INEA bulletin, especially after heavy rain, as we explain in how to tell if a beach is safe for swimming.
- Viewpoints and trails early: before the midday heat, and check the day's forecast.
- Museums for the hottest or rainiest hours: ideas in Rio when it rains.
- Sunsets on the beachfront: with long days, late afternoon is a good time to walk.
Frequently asked questions
December or January?
Both are summer and rainy season. December has Christmas and Réveillon; January, the height of summer and the run-up to Carnival. Compare them in January or February and in Rio in November, if you can move your trip earlier.
Is it crowded at Christmas?
Between Christmas and New Year's, the city receives many visitors for Réveillon. If you are traveling on those dates, book ahead and leave extra time for transfers.
What is open on December 25?
It depends on each place. Many attractions open with special hours or close: check their official website a few days ahead.
Sources: Sistema Alerta Rio: climate report ↗, Ministério da Gestão: 2026 holidays ↗, MetrôRio ↗ and Riotur: Lagoa Christmas tree 2025 ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.