Explore The Best Places To Visit In Delhi In December For A Cosy Winter Trip

Red Fort with Indian flag atop, one of the best places to visit in Delhi in December.

Delhi in December is a different city, with foggy chill mornings, warm woollens, the smell of hot peanuts, and festivity everywhere. The places to visit in Delhi in December include glowing heritage monuments, vibrant cultural festivals splashed with colour, and bustling winter bazaars offering everything from crafts to cuisine. The attractions in Delhi in December include ancient forts, Christmas fairs, Sufi music evenings, and lush parks filled with celebratory flowers. From visiting with friends and family, a romantic getaway, to solo trips, December in Delhi provides a very special mix of warmth and tradition beneath the winter chill.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Delhi In December

Discover these places to visit in Delhi in December for a frosty magic in serene gardens, grand architecture, cultural festivals, and cosy food streets.

1. Rashtrapati Bhavan And Mughal Gardens

Rashtrapati Bhavan in winter morning and blooming flowers in manicured gardens, one of the top places to visit in Delhi in December.

Photo: Abhishek Sagar / Unsplash

Delhi’s iconic Rashtrapati Bhavan is a must-visit during December, radiating grandeur amidst winter’s calm. The presidential complex, situated atop Raisina Hill, provides a peek into India’s colonial and political past. Although the whole glory of Amrit Udyan (earlier known as Mughal Gardens) awaits February, early peeks at flower arrangements and trimmed lawns are allowed in December in the form of guided tours. Early morning cold, gentle mist, and dewy grass heighten the beauty of the complex, making early morning tour visits truly enchanting.

How To Reach: Metro to Central Secretariat & walk to Rashtrapati Bhavan gates
Major Attractions: Rashtrapati Bhavan facade, Rajpath vistas, winter flowers, state lighting displays

2. Agrasen Ki Baoli

Ancient stepwell with arched stone corridors and a deep central shaft in bright daylight.

Photo: Vi.vipin / Wikimedia Commons

Hidden away in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Connaught Place, Agrasen ki Baoli is a snug architectural treasure ideal for a Delhi winter retreat. It is one of the famous places to visit in Delhi in December. This medieval 14th-century stepwell reeks of mystique that’s enhanced during December by the chilly fog and quiet. Its rock staircase descends into a gloomy, echoing passageway with twin lines of identical arches on either side, entrancing photographers, painters, and history enthusiasts. Pigeons tend to roost on railings or flutter above, lending the Baoli its eerie charm.

How To Reach: Metro to Rajiv Chowk & 10-minute walk
Major Attractions: Old stone steps, historic fragrances, photo points

3. Sacred Heart Cathedral And Gole Market

Sacred Heart Cathedral is adorned with lights and decorations on a festive Christmas, one of the best places to visit in Delhi in December.

Photo: Ministry of Culture / Wikimedia Commons

December brings Delhi a festive atmosphere, and Sacred Heart Cathedral is right at the centre of the city’s Christmas. Just about a stone’s throw from Connaught Place is the cathedral church, the most venerable and holy of Delhi churches. It bursts with life around festival time, particularly Christmas Eve, when the midnight mass attracts huge crowds. The church is illuminated by candles, fairy lights, and lovely decorations. Carol singing adds to the warmth and camaraderie in the air, making for a wonderful winter experience. Guests may also take leisurely walks on the peaceful grounds or just enjoy the festive atmosphere.

How To Reach: Metro to Shivaji Stadium
Major Attractions: Heritage shopping, bakery hopping, Christmas services

4. Nehru Planetarium And Teen Murti Bhavan

Image of the entrance to Nehru Planetarium with clear signage and surrounding architecture.

Photo: Analizer / Wikimedia Commons

Nehru Planetarium is an ideal family and science-fan favourite place for a warm and educational haven on a cold December morning in Delhi. Located in Teen Murti Bhavan, the old house of India’s first Prime Minister, the planetarium features interesting cosmic shows that reveal the mysteries of space and astronomy. There are interactive displays to touch, interesting models, and educational presentations that make learning about the universe simple and fun. The complex is also home to a museum featuring the life and times of Jawaharlal Nehru and the history of contemporary India.

How To Reach: Metro to Lok Kalyan Marg & rickshaw ride
Major Attractions: Sky theatre, historical exhibits, mand useum gardens

5. Delhi Winter Carnival At Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

Image of vibrant street food stalls at Delhi Winter Carnival, highlighting places to visit in Delhi in December.

Photo: Praveen Gupta / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

The Delhi Winter Carnival, held at the historic National Stadium near India Gate, is one of the top places to visit in Delhi in December, featuring food fests, live performances, local crafts, and festive lights in a joyful winter atmosphere. Held in mid to late December, the carnival is held on the heritage site of the National Stadium, located close to the famous India Gate. It features a festive combination of art museums, food festivals, live performances, and open-air activities that attract people of all ages. Students, families, and friends come here as a group to indulge in roasted corn, spiced beverages, soft blankets, and fine local handicrafts.

How To Reach: Metro to Khan Market
Major Attractions: Flea markets, art installations, hot food, live bands

6. Sanjay Van And Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

Image of a wildlife sanctuary featuring a peacock in its natural surroundings.

Photo: Pranjal Singh Sesodia / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

For nature lovers and people who seek peace, Sanjay Van and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary are peaceful winter retreats in the very core of Delhi. These massive green oases come alive with foggy paths, strong earthy aromas, and flocks of fly-in migratory birds decorating the trees and the sky throughout December. Early morning treks are particularly rewarding, with sightings of peacocks, kingfishers, and other wild creatures lending an aura of magic to the hike. The cooler climates turn hiking into comfortable and secure adventures, and the better air quality during winter makes it a pleasant experience all around.

How To Reach: Metro to Saket or Tughlaqabad
Major Attractions: Forest trails, birds, seasonal flowers

7. Nizamuddin Dargah

Image of Nizamuddin Dargah, one of the spiritual places to visit in Delhi in December.

Photo: AXP Photography / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Nothing comes closer to Delhi Winter is a Thursday evening qawwali at the Nizamuddin Dargah. As the sun goes down, the courtyard springs to life outdoors with the thud of breathtaking Sufi music, the aroma of incense, and candlelight. The soulful devotional singing, rhythmic clapping, and timelessness of poetry build a powerful atmosphere that descends to the heart and soul. The narrow alleys surrounding the dargah are filled with the fragrance of biryani, sizzling kebabs, and rich hot malai chai. The cold of December adds an emotional profundity that resonates with couples, pilgrims, and seekers.

How To Reach: Metro to JLN Stadium & walk or take a rickshaw
Major Attractions: Live qawwali, Mughal architecture, food streets

8. National Crafts Museum And Hastkala Haat

Crafts Museum wall with small traditional paintings and inscriptions, on a sunny day

Photo: Anilbhardwajnoida / Wikimedia Commons

Delhi in December is a festival of traditional art and a kaleidoscope, and one of the central cultural haunts is the Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan. This institution is turned into an open-air colourful platform where craftsmen from all over the country gather to sell their art. The visitors can see weavers at their looms, the potters modelling the clay, and the painters making fine folk paintings in front of them. The museum interior is inspired by village life in rural India, with tribal huts, colored walls, and open courtyards.

How To Reach: Metro to Pragati Maidan
Major Attractions: Handicrafts, tribal huts, craft demonstrations, woollen shopping

9. Okhla Bird Sanctuary And Kalindi Kunj

Image of Okhla Bird Sanctuary, one of the peaceful places to visit in Delhi in December.

Photo: pavan sai thummala / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Okhla Bird Sanctuary is among the top places to visit in Delhi in December, offering sightings of flamingos, pelicans, and pintails in a serene wetland setting. Winter brings a delightful array of migratory birds such as flamingos, pintails, pelicans, and herons that turn the sanctuary into a spectacular and vibrant wetland. A stroll through the reed beds early in the morning with a hot cup of chai is a refreshing and calming respite from urban life. The experience gets an added depth from guided tours, where one can discover rare species of birds and also learn about their migratory routes.

How To Reach: Metro to Botanical Garden or Jasola
Major Attractions: Migratory bird watching, wetlands walk, riverside breeze

10. Yamuna Vihar And Netaji Subhash Place

Image of colorful street food stalls with a variety of local snacks displayed in an open market setting.

Photo: Rahul Sonawane / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

December is the perfect season for food lovers to explore Delhi’s legendary winter street food. When the mercury falls, the streets of the city get filled with spicy, hot, and crispy bites that provide relief and taste with each morsel. Begin with the sour chaats of Yamuna Vihar, proceed to the creamy, buttery rolls of Rajouri Garden, and do not miss a trip to the specialty stuffed kulcha momos of Netaji Subhash Place. To finish the tour, relish rich creamy lassi, roasted sweet potato chaat called shakarkandi, and hot and syrupy gulab jamuns.

How To Reach: Metro to Kanhaiya Nagar (NSP), Rajouri Garden, or Welcome (Yamuna Vihar)
Major Attractions: Street sweets, Tandoori food, night food walks

From historic step-wells and Christmas-lit colonial churches to soulful Sufi nights and flamingo-filled wetlands, Delhi in December offers a rich cultural mosaic. Cold air, festive lights, and warm traditions create a magical winter atmosphere. Among the top places to visit in Delhi in December, these sites reflect the city’s seasonal charm. Plan your TripXL winter escape and discover Delhi wrapped in mist, melody, and heritage, a perfect blend of celebration, comfort, and timeless beauty.

Cover Photo: Jayanth Muppaneni / Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

December in Delhi is chilly, with a daytime temperature of 14 to 22 degrees Celsius. Nights fall to about 8 degrees.
Romantic destinations are the Sufi qawwali nights at Nizamuddin Dargah, strolls in serene Sanjay Van, or coffee under the radiance of light at Connaught Place rooftop restaurants.
All but nearly all of the public winter places of Delhi, such as monuments and parks, have an admission fee. Reservations might be required for certain special activities such as planetarium shows or winter carnivals.
Delhi’s winter food scene is rich and hearty. Try shakarkandi chaat, gajar halwa, sarson da saag with makki ki roti, warm jalebis, and slow-cooked nihari. Butter chicken is another winter favourite.
Connaught Place is ideal for festive lighting and accessibility in the centre. South Delhi's Hauz Khas and Greater Kailash provide boutique hotels and quiet cafes. Luxury hotels are available in Aerocity near the airport.

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