Things to Do in Pakistan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Pakistan
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Spectacular mountain visibility in the north - Hunza Valley, Skardu, and the Karakoram Highway offer crystal-clear views of snow-capped peaks like Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi. The dry winter air means you'll actually see these giants from distances of 50-80 km (31-50 miles), which is rare during monsoon months.
- Perfect hiking weather in southern regions - Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad sit comfortably between 18-25°C (64-77°F) during the day. You can explore Margalla Hills or Mohatta Palace gardens without the brutal summer heat that regularly hits 40°C (104°F) from May through August.
- Festival season peaks with Urs celebrations - Multiple Sufi shrine festivals happen throughout December, particularly in Punjab and Sindh. You'll experience qawwali music sessions, communal meals, and genuine spiritual gatherings that aren't staged for tourists. The atmosphere at places like Data Darbar in Lahore becomes incredibly vibrant.
- Citrus harvest season transforms markets - December brings fresh kinoo oranges, malta oranges, and guavas to every fruit stall. Prices drop to PKR 80-120 per kg (about USD 0.30-0.45), and the quality peaks. Street vendors press fresh juice for PKR 50-80 per glass, which becomes your daily ritual.
Considerations
- Northern areas become largely inaccessible - Roads to Hunza, Skardu, and upper Swat Valley face regular closures due to snow and ice. The Karakoram Highway typically closes beyond Chilas, and even when technically open, black ice makes driving genuinely dangerous. If northern mountains are your primary goal, you're looking at significant limitations.
- Extreme temperature swings require careful planning - That 7°C (44°F) morning low in cities like Islamabad feels much colder than the number suggests because most buildings lack central heating. By afternoon it might hit 21°C (69°F), which means you're constantly adding and removing layers. Hotels outside major chains rarely have adequate heating systems.
- Fog disrupts transportation across Punjab - Dense morning fog from late December through January causes flight delays and cancellations at Lahore and Islamabad airports. Motorway sections between Lahore and Islamabad shut down completely when visibility drops below 50 m (164 ft), which happens 40-50% of mornings. Budget extra time for any overland travel.
Best Activities in December
Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque walking circuits
December weather makes exploring Lahore's Mughal architecture actually pleasant instead of punishing. Morning temperatures around 10-12°C (50-54°F) mean you can walk the 2.5 km (1.6 mile) circuit from Lahore Fort through Badshahi Mosque to the Walled City without overheating. The low-angle winter sunlight creates incredible photography conditions on the red sandstone between 7-9am and 4-5pm. Crowds thin out compared to spring wedding season, so you'll get clearer shots of the mirror work in Sheesh Mahal.
Hunza Valley photography expeditions
If you can actually get there before heavy snow closes access, December offers the most dramatic mountain photography of the year. Fresh snow on Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar peaks contrasts against deep blue skies, and the apricot orchards create stark winter landscapes. Temperatures range from -5°C to 8°C (23°F to 46°F), cold but manageable with proper gear. The challenge is timing - you need to go early December before the Karakoram Highway becomes unreliable, and even then, be prepared for sudden closures that extend your trip by 2-3 days.
Karachi street food walks in Saddar and Burns Road
December evenings in Karachi sit around 18-20°C (64-68°F), which is perfect for walking between food stalls without the oppressive humidity of summer months. The Burns Road food street comes alive after 6pm, and you can comfortably spend 2-3 hours sampling nihari, bun kebab, and rabri without feeling like you're melting. The cooler weather also means food safety improves slightly - though obviously still use judgment about stall cleanliness. Local families come out in force during December evenings, so you're experiencing actual food culture, not tourist performances.
Margalla Hills day hikes from Islamabad
Trail 3 and Trail 5 in Margalla Hills National Park offer the best combination of accessibility and views during December. Morning temperatures start around 5-8°C (41-46°F) but climb to comfortable 18-20°C (64-68°F) by mid-morning. The 5.6 km (3.5 mile) Trail 3 ascent takes 2-3 hours and rewards you with views across Islamabad and Rawal Lake. December's dry conditions mean trails are firm rather than muddy, though you'll want proper hiking boots for the rocky sections. Locals hike early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday sun, even in winter.
Mohenjo-daro and Indus Valley site explorations
December transforms these archaeological sites from brutal endurance tests into actually enjoyable experiences. Summer temperatures at Mohenjo-daro regularly exceed 45°C (113°F), but December days stay around 22-25°C (72-77°F). You can spend 2-3 hours examining the ancient urban planning, drainage systems, and Great Bath without risking heat exhaustion. The site sits in Sindh province where December remains one of the driest months, so dust is minimal and visibility extends for kilometers across the excavation areas. Early morning light from 8-10am provides excellent photography conditions on the ancient brickwork.
Sufi shrine qawwali sessions in Punjab
Thursday evenings at shrines like Data Darbar in Lahore or Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan feature qawwali performances that intensify during December's Urs festival season. The cooler evening temperatures around 12-15°C (54-59°F) make sitting on shrine courtyard floors for 2-3 hour sessions comfortable rather than sweaty. December sees multiple saint commemoration festivals across Punjab and Sindh, with larger gatherings, better musicians, and more elaborate langar meals. The spiritual atmosphere peaks during these winter months, and you're experiencing living Sufi tradition that's been continuous for centuries.
December Events & Festivals
Urs of various Sufi saints across Pakistan
Multiple shrine festivals commemorate Sufi saints throughout December, with exact dates following the Islamic lunar calendar. These multi-day celebrations feature continuous qawwali music, free communal meals serving thousands daily, and night-long devotional gatherings. The atmosphere combines spiritual intensity with carnival energy - food stalls, craft vendors, and families camping around shrine complexes. Major celebrations happen at Data Darbar in Lahore, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai shrine in Bhit Shah, and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan though his main Urs is typically February.
Quaid-e-Azam Birthday celebrations
December 25th marks the birthday of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Government buildings illuminate with green and white lights, and the Mazar-e-Quaid mausoleum in Karachi sees special ceremonies and guard changes. Schools and offices close, making it a national holiday. While not a tourist-focused event, it's worth understanding as it affects business hours and transportation schedules. The mausoleum itself becomes a focal point with increased crowds and patriotic displays.