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Penang - Things to Do in Penang in December

Things to Do in Penang in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

Good time to visit Shoulder Season · Good Value

December Weather in Penang

Long-run averages for December

87°F (31°C) High Temp
74°F (23°C) Low Temp
4.5 inches (114 mm) Rainfall
81% Humidity
12 Rainy Days
11 Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Extreme UV index - sun protection is non-negotiable.

What's On in Penang in December

December in Penang includes the 15th Penang International High Pole Lion Dance Invitational Competition (第15届槟城国际高桩舞狮邀请赛) from 4 December 2026 to 6 December 2026. The Aspen–Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon takes place on 13 December 2026. Christmas in Penang occurs on 25 December 2026, which is a public holiday. December temperatures average a high of 31°C and a low of 23°C, with average rainfall of 114 mm.

4 December 2026 to 6 December 2026
15th Penang International High Pole Lion Dance Invitational Competition (第15届槟城国际高桩舞狮邀请赛)

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

13 December 2026
Aspen–Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

25 December 2026
Christmas in Penang

Source: www.visitpenang.com

22 December 2027
Dongzhi (Winter Solstice)

Source: www.visitpenang.com

December Climate Compared

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfall
November30°C23°C231 mm
December31°C23°C114 mm
January31°C23°C69 mm

December is 1°C warmer than November; drier than November (114 mm vs 231 mm); about as warm as January; wetter than January (114 mm vs 69 mm).

Long-run monthly averages. Source: Wikipedia.

Daylight in December

Day length: 11 h 50 min on 1 December, 11 h 49 min on 15 December (−3 min compared with mid-November).

Computed from the city's coordinates (sunrise to sunset, standard solar geometry).

Public Holidays and Long Weekends

  • Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026 (3-day weekend (Fri–Sun))

Holiday dates: Nager.Date. Long-weekend notes are computed from the weekday.

Notable Places to Visit

Penang Bridge

Road bridge connecting Penang Island with the Malay Peninsula
OSM · Wikidata · Website

Kek Lok Si

Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang
Hours (OSM): Mo-Su 08:30-18:30
OSM · Wikidata

the Cenotaph

War memorial in Whitehall, London
OSM · Wikidata

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Mosque in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
OSM · Wikidata

Penang State Mosque

Mosque in Malaysia
OSM · Wikidata

Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang

Oldest Hindu temple in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
OSM · Wikidata

Wat Chayamangkalaram

A Malaysian siamese temple in Malaysia
Hours (OSM): Daily 08:00-17:00
OSM · Wikidata

Fort Cornwallis

Bastion fort in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Hours (OSM): We-Mo 08:00-22:00; Tu 08:00-19:00
OSM · Wikidata · Website

Places within 8 km, ordered by Wikipedia coverage. Opening hours as mapped in OpenStreetMap (fetched 2026-10-16); check before you go. Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); descriptions from Wikidata (CC0).

Quick Answers

How much rain does Penang get in December?

On average 114 mm in December, wetter than January (114 mm vs 69 mm).

How warm is Penang in December?

Average highs are 31°C and average lows 23°C.

How long are the days in Penang in December?

About 11 h 49 min of daylight on 15 December.

Are there public holidays in Penang in December?

Yes: Christmas Day on Friday 25 December 2026. 1 of them create a long weekend.

What are some notable places to visit in Penang?

Penang Bridge, Kek Lok Si, the Cenotaph, Kapitan Keling Mosque (from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata).

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Where to Stay in Penang in December

Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.

Public Holidays in December

Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds

Christmas Day

Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.

Christmas Day

Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.

Christmas Day

Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.

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November

Travel guide for November

January

Travel guide for January

Where to Stay in December

Accommodation guide for Penang in December

Climate Guide in December

Weather and seasonal patterns for Penang in December

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Penang Like in December?

December is a lively and rewarding time to visit Penang, though it comes with some trade-offs. The city buzzes with Christmas and New Year energy — Georgetown's colonial streets fill with festive lights, and the Chinese community celebrates the Winter Solstice (Dongzhi) around December 21. Expect warm, humid days, occasional afternoon downpours, and a noticeable uptick in tourist numbers from late December onward. If you can book accommodation early and embrace the occasional rain shower, it's genuinely one of the more atmospheric months to be there.

What Is the Weather in Penang in December?

Temperatures in Penang in December hover between 24°C and 33°C (75–91°F), staying warm and humid throughout the month. Penang sits on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, which gives it some shelter from the northeast monsoon that drenches the east coast — so while you will see rain, it is far less severe than in Kota Bharu or Terengganu. Expect short, heavy afternoon showers rather than all-day drizzle, and pack a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella.

How Much Rain Does Penang Get in December?

Penang receives roughly 100–150 mm of rainfall in December, making it noticeably wetter than the February–April dry spell but considerably drier than October and November, which are the wettest months. Rain typically falls in intense bursts — often in the late afternoon or evening — rather than lasting all day, so it rarely derails sightseeing. Georgetown's covered five-foot walkways (kaki lima) are a practical silver lining: you can browse street food stalls and heritage shophouses almost entirely under cover.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Penang?

Yes, with one important caveat: book well in advance. December is Penang's peak season — school holidays, Christmas, and New Year's Eve all overlap, driving up hotel prices (expect 20–40% premiums over shoulder months) and making popular guesthouses in Georgetown sell out weeks ahead. That said, the festive atmosphere is genuine and the food scene is in full swing. If you are flexible, the first two weeks of December offer the same weather and events with smaller crowds and better rates than the holiday rush of December 22 onwards.

What Should I Pack for Penang in December?

Pack light, breathable clothing — linen and moisture-wicking fabrics are your best friends in Penang's humid heat. A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket handles the afternoon showers without weighing down your bag. Bring a light layer for heavily air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centres, which can feel surprisingly cold. Sunscreen is essential even on cloudy days, and comfortable walking shoes with grip are worth it for Georgetown's sometimes-slippery heritage streets after rain.

Is December the Rainy Season in Penang?

Not quite — Penang's wettest months are October and November, so by December the rainfall is already tapering off. Penang's position on the Strait of Malacca's western shore shields it from the worst of the northeast monsoon that hammers the east coast of Malaysia from November through January. December sits in a transitional zone: wetter than the dry months (January–April) but very manageable compared to what travellers on the east coast experience. Most days still offer several hours of good sunshine.

What Festivals and Events Happen in Penang in December?

December brings three distinct cultural moments to Penang. The Winter Solstice Festival (Dongzhi), celebrated around December 21 by Penang's large Chinese community, fills temples and family tables with tang yuan — sweet glutinous rice balls that symbolise reunion. Christmas is surprisingly festive for a Muslim-majority country: Georgetown's colonial Penang Road and Gurney Drive light up, and hotels like the Eastern & Oriental run special dinners. New Year's Eve draws large crowds to the waterfront esplanade in Georgetown for fireworks and street celebrations.

Are Penang's Beaches Worth Visiting in December?

The main beach at Batu Ferringhi can be hit or miss in December — sea conditions are rougher during the northeast monsoon period, with stronger waves and occasional jellyfish. Swimming is generally safe but less idyllic than in the March–September calm season. That said, the beachfront strip is still enjoyable for an evening stroll, a massage on the sand, or dinner at the night market. If swimming and snorkelling are your priority, Penang's beaches in December are a step down; if you are content with the atmosphere, they are still worth a half-day.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Penang in December?

Georgetown's heritage core is excellent year-round, and December's slightly cooler mornings (relative to March–May) make it ideal for the street art trail and clan jetty walks before the midday heat builds. The Penang Hill funicular offers reliable views whenever the clouds part, and the colonial quarter — around Armenian Street and Love Lane — looks genuinely magical with Christmas lights after dark. For food, December is prime season for Penang's legendary hawker stalls: try Lorong Selamat char kway teow, Gurney Drive cendol, and Ah Leng char kway teow for a shortlist that locals actually queue for.

How Do Hotel Prices in Penang Change in December?

Expect to pay a premium, especially from December 22 through January 1. A heritage boutique guesthouse in Georgetown that goes for RM 250–350 per night in October might hit RM 350–500 in the Christmas–New Year window, and many properties enforce minimum-night stays. Mid-range and budget options fill up fastest. The first two weeks of December remain relatively affordable; if you are visiting purely for the festive atmosphere, arriving December 18–20 captures most of the buzz before prices peak on the 23rd.

Is It Better to Visit Penang in Early or Late December?

Early December (1st–20th) is the sweet spot for most travellers: the weather is essentially the same, the Dongzhi and Christmas build-up is already in the air, and prices and crowd levels have not yet hit their New Year peak. Late December (21st–31st) offers the most festive atmosphere and the New Year's Eve celebrations, but you will pay significantly more, compete for restaurant reservations, and share Georgetown's narrow lanes with noticeably larger crowds. If your schedule allows choice, aim for December 10–20 to balance atmosphere, availability, and value.