When to go · Shimla
Shimla in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (monsoon rain and landslides), late Dec–Jan (snow, ice, flight and road delays).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) / −2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 4
- Crowds
- High
- India overall
- Prices
- High
- India overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (monsoon rain and landslides), late Dec–Jan (snow, ice, flight and road delays).
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- ShimlaHighs around 13 °C (55 °F), lows around -2 °C (28 °F), rain on about 4 daysHighs around 55 °F (13 °C), lows around 28 °F (-2 °C), rain on about 4 days
- Himalayan hills, India · Shimla, Rishikesh, Darjeeling, Sikkimcool
Landslides close roads in July–August; October–November gives the clearest mountain views.
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.
Christmas and New Year big impact
25 Dec – 1 Jan · India
Goa beds triple in price; Rajasthan and Kerala hotels full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · India overall
- High
- Prices · India overall
- High
India overall: Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa at their best; book the Christmas–New Year week far ahead.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Shimla, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Mar: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Night low
Dec: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
Mar: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 4 (better)
Mar: 5
Crowds
Dec: High
Mar: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Mar: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (monsoon rain and landslides), late Dec–Jan (snow, ice, flight and road delays).
March: Inside Shimla's best window: Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov.
Shimla: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket