Things to Do in Tashkent in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Tashkent
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuinely pleasant outdoor weather for sightseeing - December sits in that sweet spot where daytime temperatures around 5-8°C (41-47°F) make walking tours of the old city actually enjoyable without the summer heat exhaustion that hits 40°C (104°F) by June
- Practically zero international tourists - You'll have Chorsu Bazaar and Registan-style architecture almost to yourself, which means better photos, easier navigation, and locals who are genuinely curious to chat rather than tourist-fatigued
- Winter produce season transforms the food scene - December brings fresh pomegranates, persimmons, and quince to the markets, plus it's prime time for hot samsa straight from tandoor ovens and steaming bowls of lagman that actually make sense in the cold weather
- Significantly cheaper accommodation - Hotels drop rates by 30-40% compared to spring and autumn peaks, and you can actually negotiate walk-in prices at guesthouses since occupancy runs around 40-50% in December
Considerations
- The cold is legitimately uncomfortable if you're unprepared - Mornings regularly drop below freezing at -1°C (31°F), and that 70% humidity makes it feel considerably colder than the thermometer suggests, especially when the wind picks up in open squares
- Daylight hours are brutally short - Sunset hits around 5:15pm in December, which means you're losing 2-3 hours of prime sightseeing time compared to summer months, and evening outdoor activities basically require planning around the cold and dark
- Some attractions operate on reduced winter schedules - Minor museums and suburban sites might close early or have weekday-only hours, and a few mountain-adjacent day trips become impractical without proper winter gear and transportation
Best Activities in December
Old City Walking Tours Through Tashkent's Historic Districts
December weather is actually ideal for exploring Tashkent's maze-like old town neighborhoods on foot - the cold keeps you moving at a good pace, and you'll want to duck into warm teahouses every hour or so, which naturally builds in cultural experiences. The winter light around 3-4pm hits the blue-tiled madrasas beautifully. Most walking routes cover 5-8 km (3-5 miles) over 3-4 hours, and the cool weather means you're not drenched in sweat by noon like you would be May through September.
Chorsu Bazaar and Traditional Market Experiences
December transforms Tashkent's markets into a completely different sensory experience - the cold weather means vendors are selling hot samsa, fresh bread, and steaming plov right from massive kazan pots. Winter produce like pomegranates, dried fruits, and nuts are at peak season and quality. The covered sections of Chorsu Bazaar stay relatively warm from body heat and cooking fires, making it comfortable to browse for extended periods. Worth noting that Sunday mornings are absolutely packed with locals doing weekly shopping.
Uzbek Cooking Classes in Traditional Home Settings
December is perfect for indoor cooking experiences - you'll learn to make winter dishes like shurpa soup, hot lagman noodles, and samsa in actual Uzbek home kitchens where the warmth from tandoor ovens and stoves makes the experience genuinely cozy. Classes typically run 3-4 hours and you're eating what you cook, which feels especially satisfying in cold weather. The seasonal focus shifts to warming dishes that locals actually eat in winter rather than the lighter summer fare.
Chimgan Mountains Day Trips for Winter Scenery
The Chimgan Mountains about 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Tashkent get light snow in December, creating genuinely beautiful winter landscapes without the extreme cold of January-February. Day trips work well for non-skiers who just want mountain scenery, cable car rides up to 2,200 m (7,200 ft), and lunch at mountain restaurants. The drive takes 90-120 minutes each way, and you'll want to leave by 8am to maximize the short daylight hours.
Museum Circuit Tours Covering Tashkent's Cultural Collections
December's cold weather makes this the perfect month to spend quality time in Tashkent's excellent museums - the Applied Arts Museum, State Museum of History, and Amir Timur Museum all have proper heating and reward slow browsing. A good museum circuit tour hits 2-3 major collections in one day with transportation between them, which matters when it's freezing outside. The museums are nearly empty in December so you can actually read displays and examine artifacts without crowds pushing through.
Traditional Hammam and Spa Experiences
After freezing mornings walking around the city, a traditional hammam session feels absolutely necessary rather than optional. December is when locals actually use these facilities regularly rather than tourists seeking exotic experiences. Authentic hammams offer the full scrub-down treatment in genuinely hot steam rooms, and many are attached to older bathhouses with Soviet-era tile work that's worth seeing. Sessions typically run 90-120 minutes and you'll emerge actually warm for the first time all day.
December Events & Festivals
New Year Celebrations and Yilbaşı Festivities
Tashkent goes surprisingly big for secular New Year - December 31st brings major celebrations in Amir Timur Square and Independence Square with concerts, fireworks around midnight, and locals dressed up for outdoor parties despite the cold. It's more culturally significant here than in many Muslim-majority countries. Hotels and restaurants book solid for New Year's Eve dinners, and the city stays lively until 2-3am despite freezing temperatures.
Constitution Day National Holiday
December 8th marks Uzbekistan's Constitution Day with official ceremonies and some cultural programming around the city. It's a national holiday so government offices and many businesses close, but tourist sites generally stay open. You'll see more flags and patriotic displays than usual, though it's not a major tourist-focused event.