When to go · Manila
Manila in December
Great month. Cool and dry; worst traffic and peak prices.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C) / 22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- High
- Philippines overall
- Prices
- High
- Philippines overall
Verdict
Cool and dry; worst traffic and peak prices.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than December?
No other month rates higher than December for Manila in this guide.
Weather in December
- ManilaHighs around 30 °C (86 °F), lows around 22 °C (72 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 86 °F (30 °C), lows around 72 °F (22 °C), rain on about 5 days
- Luzon and Manila, Philippines · Manila, Batangas, Ilocos, Baguiobest weather
Dry and cooler Dec–Feb; April–May are the hottest; typhoons and floods peak Jul–Oct.
Cool dry season
The best weather; Christmas lights and the Black Nazarene feast.
Watch: Christmas traffic and prices; hotel rates peak.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Simbang Gabi and Christmas check
From 16 December · Churches and malls
Dawn Masses, lights, worst traffic of the year.
Rizal Day
30 December · Rizal Park
Wreath-laying at the monument; a holiday.
Giant Lantern Festival check
Mid-December · San Fernando, Pampanga
A day trip; book transport ahead.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Philippines overall
- High
- Prices · Philippines overall
- High
Philippines overall: Dry in Luzon; Christmas season peak prices and traffic.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Manila, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Great
Jan: Great
Daytime high
Dec: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Jan: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Night low
Dec: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Jan: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 5
Jan: 3 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Jan: High
Prices
Dec: High
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 3
Jan: 3
December: Cool and dry; worst traffic and peak prices.
January: Cool and dry; Christmas traffic ends early January.
Manila: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen