Things to Do in Yerevan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Yerevan
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Winter wonderland atmosphere with Mount Ararat views - December typically brings clear, crisp days where you can see the mountain from Republic Square, something that's often hazy in warmer months. The snow-dusted peak against blue skies creates those postcard moments that actually live up to the hype.
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year - Hotels drop rates 40-60% compared to summer, and you'll find excellent boutique properties in the city center for 15,000-25,000 AMD ($40-65 USD) per night. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best selection, though last-minute deals are common since this is genuinely low season.
- Authentic local experience without tourist crowds - Museums, restaurants, and attractions operate at normal capacity for locals, meaning you'll actually interact with Yerevantsis going about their daily lives rather than being surrounded by tour groups. The Vernissage market on weekends becomes more about locals shopping for crafts than tourists buying souvenirs.
- Peak season for Armenian comfort food and winter traditions - December is when you'll find the best khash (traditional tripe soup eaten at dawn with vodka), winter dolma variations, and seasonal preserved fruits. Cafes serve their richest soups and stews, and bakeries make special holiday gata varieties you won't find other times of year.
Considerations
- Genuinely cold weather requires serious winter gear - That -5°C (23°F) low isn't theoretical, and wind chill along Northern Avenue or near the Cascade can make it feel like -10°C (14°F). If you're from warmer climates, the cold will be more intense than you're imagining, and Yerevan's older buildings often have inconsistent heating.
- Limited daylight hours restrict sightseeing time - Sunset arrives around 5:30pm in December, meaning you've got roughly 6-7 hours of good daylight for outdoor activities. This compresses your daily itinerary significantly, and photographing attractions in good light requires planning around the short window of 11am-3pm.
- Some attractions operate on reduced winter schedules - Outdoor sites like Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery are accessible but far less comfortable in freezing temperatures, and marshrutkas (minibuses) to these locations run less frequently. A few smaller museums close or reduce hours, and Sunday schedules can be particularly limited.
Best Activities in December
Yerevan Museum and Gallery Circuit
December is actually ideal for Yerevan's exceptional indoor cultural sites since you'll spend 10am-5pm in heated spaces during the coldest part of the day. The Matenadaran manuscript museum, History Museum of Armenia, and Cafesjian Center for the Arts are all within 2 km (1.2 miles) of each other and operate full winter schedules. The lighting inside museums is consistent year-round, and you'll have galleries essentially to yourself - I've spent 45 minutes alone in rooms at the National Gallery that would have crowds in summer. The Genocide Memorial and Museum deserves 2-3 hours and provides important context for understanding modern Armenia.
Traditional Armenian Cooking Classes
December is peak season for Armenian winter cooking traditions, and locals are making khash, winter dolma with cabbage leaves, and preserved fruit compotes that you won't encounter in summer menus. Cooking classes typically last 3-4 hours in warm home kitchens or small culinary studios, which is exactly where you want to be when it's -3°C (27°F) outside. You'll learn techniques for making lavash bread in a traditional tonir oven, prepare khorovats (Armenian barbecue) even in winter, and understand the preservation methods that sustained Armenians through harsh winters historically. The social aspect matters too - you're often cooking alongside other travelers and local instructors who'll answer questions about Armenian life that go well beyond food.
Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery Winter Tours
These sites are 30 km (19 miles) from Yerevan and while December makes them more challenging, the snow-covered Azat River gorge and frosted monastery caves create genuinely dramatic scenery you won't see in summer. Garni Temple, Armenia's only Greco-Roman structure, looks particularly striking against snow. The key is going midday (11am-2pm departure from Yerevan) when temperatures peak around 2°C (36°F) and light is best. Geghard's cave monastery stays slightly warmer than outside, and the acoustics are actually better in cold weather - if you're lucky, you'll hear monks chanting. Plan for 5-6 hours total including 1 hour each way driving.
Armenian Brandy and Wine Tasting Experiences
December is an excellent time for tasting experiences since harvest and initial fermentation are complete, and you're sampling wines and brandies at their intended maturity. The Ararat Brandy Factory in Yerevan offers heated tasting rooms and 1.5-hour tours explaining the cognac-style production that made Armenian brandy famous (Churchill reportedly preferred it). Wine bars in the city center like those along Saryan Street showcase Armenian wine revival happening over the past decade, with indigenous grapes like Areni and Voskehat that you won't encounter elsewhere. The indoor, seated nature of tastings makes them perfect for cold evenings, and you'll often meet locals doing the same thing since December isn't tourist season.
Tsaghkadzor Ski Resort Day Trips
Located 60 km (37 miles) from Yerevan at 1,966 m (6,450 ft) elevation, Tsaghkadzor becomes Armenia's primary ski destination in December with 5 lifts and runs suitable for beginners through advanced skiers. Snow coverage is usually reliable by mid-December, and you're looking at temperatures around -8°C to -2°C (18°F to 28°F) at altitude. The resort is far less crowded than European ski destinations, lift tickets cost 8,000-12,000 AMD ($20-30 USD) for a day pass, and equipment rental runs 6,000-10,000 AMD ($15-25 USD). Even if you don't ski, the cable car ride offers exceptional views of the surrounding mountains, and the resort village has good restaurants serving warming soups and grilled meats.
Traditional Armenian Bathhouse Experiences
December is when you'll most appreciate Yerevan's traditional bathhouses, which have been part of Armenian culture for centuries. These aren't tourist attractions but functioning facilities where locals go weekly, featuring hot rooms, cold plunges, and massage services. The contrast between -3°C (27°F) outside and 40°C (104°F) steam rooms is genuinely therapeutic, and the ritual of heating, cooling, and scrubbing down is something you'll understand better by experiencing than reading about. Sessions typically last 1.5-2 hours, and you'll often see three generations of Armenian families there together. It's one of the few activities where you'll interact with locals in a relaxed, social setting.
December Events & Festivals
New Year's Preparations and Markets
Armenians celebrate New Year more enthusiastically than Christmas, and throughout December you'll see the city transform with lights along Northern Avenue and Republic Square. The real interest is watching locals prepare - markets sell New Year trees (they use fir trees similar to Christmas trees but call them New Year trees), special decorations, and gift items. Republic Square hosts a large decorated tree and evening light shows starting mid-December. Street vendors sell roasted chestnuts and sweet sujuk (walnut and grape must candy) that's traditional for the season. The atmosphere builds throughout the month, peaking December 31st with fireworks at midnight.
Armenian Christmas Market Preparations
While Armenian Christmas falls on January 6th due to the Armenian Apostolic Church using the old calendar, preparations begin in late December. You'll see specialty foods appearing in markets - gata pastries with specific holiday fillings, dried fruits and nuts for traditional Christmas tables, and fish preparations since many Armenians fast before Christmas. It's less about tourist-oriented Christmas markets and more about observing genuine religious and cultural preparations. Churches begin special services in late December that visitors can attend respectfully.