Brazil in December: weather, holidays and where to go

At a glance

What the weather is like in Brazil in December

Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, so December is the start of summer. Weather depends a lot on where you are. The figures below are INMET climate normals for 1961-1990, published by the World Meteorological Organization. They are long-term averages and say nothing about a particular day, but they show the pattern well enough to choose a route.

Rio gets more rain in December than in any other month of the year in these normals: 169 mm, against 114.1 mm in January. Summer rain in the southeast often comes as heavy afternoon showers, and mornings are usually the best time for viewpoints. São Paulo, Brasília and the centre of the country are fully in the rainy season. Fortaleza and Recife are the driest of the cities listed. Manaus is hot and wet. The Rio weather page has the full year for Rio.

The sun is strong in summer. Brazil’s national cancer institute INCA advises avoiding unprotected sun between 10:00 and 16:00, using sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher with UVA protection and reapplying it every two hours and after swimming. The Ministry of Health recommends repellent and window screens in areas with dengue transmission.

Holidays and events in December 2026

We list only dates set by official sources.

• 25 December (Friday), Christmas. A national holiday under Law 662/1949 as amended. Many shops and offices close, and families gather on the evening of the 24th.
• 24 and 31 December. The 2026 federal calendar (Portaria MGI 11.460) makes both days optional for federal offices after 13:00. Expect shorter hours at public services.
• 31 December, New Year’s Eve. Rio’s party on Copacabana takes place on the night of the 31st. On 21.10.2026 Rio City Hall had not published the 2026/27 programme, so we do not list stages, times or road closures yet. We update our New Year’s Eve in Rio page when the programme is out.
• 1 January 2027, New Year’s Day. A national holiday under the same law.

We have no other events with confirmed official dates for December 2026 to list on this page.

Where to go in Brazil in December

Rio de Janeiro. Beaches, long evenings and the run-up to New Year. Rain is frequent, so leave a spare day in the plan for Sugarloaf or Christ the Redeemer in case clouds cover the summit. A Rio itinerary built around mornings works best.

The northeast coast. Fortaleza and Recife have the lowest December rainfall of the cities above, and they are a common choice for a dry beach week. See beach holidays in Brazil for options.

Salvador and Bahia. Warm, with less rain than Rio. Easy to combine with Rio in a two week route.

Florianópolis and the south. Milder than Rio and a long coastline. Nights are cooler than in the northeast.

The Amazon. Manaus is in the rainy season in December, with 18 rain days in the normals. Trips still run, but plan time margins.

For a route that combines two or three regions, look at our two week Brazil itinerary.

Planning tips for December

• Book flights and rooms for Christmas and New Year early. These are the busiest dates of the season in Rio.
• Keep the last days of December light if you plan to be in Rio on the 31st, because the city changes traffic around Copacabana for the party.
• Plan outdoor sights for the morning and keep one flexible day.
• Pack light clothes, a rain jacket and sunscreen. Our packing list covers the rest.
• Check entry requirements on official websites.
• For safety, read the official travel advice of your own government before the trip.

What to tell us in your request

• Your dates, and whether you will be in Rio on 31 December
• How many people are travelling, and ages of any children
• Cities or regions you want to see
• Type of stay you prefer (hotel, apartment, area)
• What you need from us: transfers, a private guide, a driver, a full plan
• The language your guide should speak
• Your budget range for the trip

How we help with a December trip

We are Vela Brasil, a team that plans trips in Rio and across Brazil. We pick vetted local providers, put the plan together and stay your single contact before and during the trip. In December that usually means airport transfers, a private driver for rainy days, a guide who speaks your language and a New Year’s plan. Terms and payment are set out in the proposal; you pay nothing before you confirm. For New Year’s Eve, the deposit is not refundable after confirmation.