Things to Do in Jackson in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Jackson
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
62°F (17°C)
High Temp
41°F (5°C)
Low Temp
2.0 inches (51 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December hands you Jackson's finest walking weather. Downtown's historic districts sit in the 60s°F (15-20°C), humidity high enough to keep skin supple yet low enough to spare your shirt from sweat stains.
- + After Thanksgiving through mid-December, hotel rates fall 30-40% before the holiday increase, letting you snag boutique digs in Fondren at shoulder-season prices.
- + At King Edward Grill, wood-fired steaks hit their stride when the stone fireplace crackles. The smoky air mingles with the cast-iron seared filet in ways summer's air-conditioning simply erases.
- + The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum's outdoor memorial garden feels pleasant under December light. In August the marble throws heat like a pizza oven.
- + Local musicians move indoors to tighter rooms like Duling Hall, crafting blues sets so intimate you catch every slide-guitar nuance above the crowd. Summer's outdoor festivals never reach this acoustic clarity.
Considerations
- − December afternoons can swing 20°F (11°C) in hours, from t-shirt warmth at 2pm to jacket weather by sunset, a trick that surprises visitors who packed for steady southern heat.
- − Some restaurants shut between Christmas and New Year's while their crews vacation, the chef-owned joints in Belhaven that locals won't stop praising, call ahead instead of assuming holiday tables.
- − The UV index still hits 8 in December, so that 'mild' sun will roast you in 45 minutes if you're photographing Natchez Trace Parkway overlooks at midday.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Jackson in December smells of woodsmoke. The air is crisp. Highs reach the low sixties, with lows in the forties. Expect rain about a third of the days. This variable weather sets a distinct seasonal rhythm. The Mississippi Blues Marathon kicks off early in the month. Runners pass live bands playing wailing harmonicas and brass sections. Post-race energy spills into historic local haunts. Then, on the first Thursday, the Fondren Art Mix begins. It transforms the neighborhood into a walkable holiday market. You will hear the chatter of shoppers and the clink of glasses. Galleries and restaurants open their doors late into the evening. The focus turns local. It is a shift from the summer's broader tourist pull. Outdoor adventures in the surrounding national parks become more demanding. They offer a stark and silent beauty for those who are prepared. Central activities in Jackson itself revolve around community and creativity. Visitors move at a slower pace. They linger over a handcrafted gift. They listen to music that feels born from the damp, red earth. Shorter days lend intimacy to evenings. Spend them in a warm restaurant or a music-filled bar.
Private Grand Teton Wildlife Safari Tour
guided_experienceenters a quiet, snow-dusted world. You will see the elk and bison that winter in the valley. Your guide helps you spot the puff of breath from a moose in the willow thickets. They will interpret the fresh tracks of a fox in the frost.
This is a chance to witness the profound stillness of a Rocky Mountain winter. You will see its survival drama from the heated comfort of a capable vehicle.
Insider tip: The low winter sun casts long, dramatic shadows in the late afternoon. That makes it the ideal time for photography. Wildlife also moves to their evening grounds then.
This month: Animal concentrations are higher in the valley during December. Herds descend from the high country.
Private 8-Hour Grand Teton Adventure
otheris a blank canvas day. It allows you to tailor a journey across frozen lakes and through silent pine forests. You will visit viewpoints where jagged peaks are etched against a deep blue sky. You might snowshoe to a hidden waterfall. Or you could simply savor a thermos of hot chocolate with the entire range laid before you.
This complete freedom to design your own mountain day is the ultimate way to engage with the Tetons. You will have expert guidance.
Insider tip: Request a stop at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Its stone halls are warm. Its collections provide a fascinating cultural counterpoint to the wild animals outside.
Yellowstone: Private Guided Tour
private_tourhas a profound winter encounter. You will see the park's geothermal heart, where plumes of steam from hot springs rise hundreds of feet into the frigid air. Bison herds wear coats of hoarfrost. You will hear the hiss and rumble of geysers in the absolute quiet. It is an alien and ancient sound.
A private guide navigates the limited winter road access. They deliver you to the park's most well-known features without summer crowds.
Insider tip: Pack a scarf or neck gaiter you do not mind getting damp. The mineral-rich steam from the thermal features can leave a slight sulfur scent on fabric.
This month: Most park roads are closed to regular vehicles in December. This makes a guided tour with specialized transport one of the only ways to access the interior.
Yellowstone National Park - PRIVATE Full-Day Lower Loop Tour from Jackson Hole
day_tripfocuses on well-known landmarks. You will see the lively, steaming pools of the Grand Prismatic Spring. You will watch the predictable eruption of Old Faithful against a backdrop of snow. The journey itself is a spectacle. It traverses a white landscape where geothermal rivers melt the snow along their banks.
This efficient, private routing ensures you experience the greatest hits of Yellowstone's winter magic. It happens in a single, complete day.
Insider tip: Wear insulated, waterproof boots. You will be walking on boardwalks that can be slick with ice and condensed steam.
This month: Access is strictly via snow coach or guided tour. Your operator provides this, turning the journey into an adventure before you reach the first geyser.
Yellowstone Full Day Private Tour & Hike - Pickup from Jackson
adventureis for the actively inclined. It pairs vehicle-based sightseeing with the crunch of snowshoes. You will leave the boardwalks to explore a frozen waterfall or a silent, geothermal basin. Few summer visitors see these places. You will feel the burn in your legs and the cold sting on your cheeks. It is a full-body immersion in the wild.
It combines the scale of Yellowstone's vistas with intimate, ground-level discovery. That discovery only comes from traveling on foot across the snow.
Insider tip: Bring high-energy snacks like nuts and chocolate. The cold and physical exertion demand more fuel than a typical sightseeing day.
This month: Snowshoes or traction devices are typically provided. They are essential for safe, off-boardwalk exploration in December conditions.
Half-Day Traditional Driftboat Fly Fishing at Jackson Hole
otheris a serene escape. You will float a river where the only sounds are the dip of the oars and the gentle swirl of current. You will feel the rod bend with the strong, cold-water fight of a native trout. Your breath will be visible in the air as you reel it in.
The combination of skilled guiding and historic driftboat craftsmanship creates a uniquely focused angling experience. Winter fishing is a real challenge.
Insider tip: Layer your clothing with a synthetic base. Even in the cold, the physical act of casting can make you surprisingly warm. So can the reflection of sun off the water.
This month: The fish are less active in cold water. This requires more precise, slow presentations, which your guide will expertly manage.
Where to Stay in Jackson in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Mississippi Blues Marathon
Early December's marathon stations blues bands at every mile, from harmonica wailers at mile 3 to full brass at mile 20. Runners trade bagels for red beans and rice at the finish, then head to Hal & Mal's where Delta musicians who've haunted juke joints since the 1970s crank up the after-party.
First Thursday in December
Fondren Art Mix
December's monthly art crawl doubles as holiday shopping, local potters and painters set up pop-up stalls between permanent galleries, hawking one-off gifts the mall can't touch. Restaurants roll out special small plates, letting you sample five takes on Mississippi tamales without committing to full dinners.
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Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Local secret: Brent's Drugs soda fountain stays open until 11pm on Fridays, serving real malts made with Mississippi-made Velvet Ice Cream while the jukebox plays actual 45s from Sun Records.
December restaurant hack: make lunch reservations at Walker's Drive-In instead of dinner, you get the same shrimp and grits for half the wait time, plus the lunch crowd is all locals who'll tell you which blues show to catch that night.
Parking downtown is free after 5pm in December, ignore the meters and walk to Hal & Mal's from the Old Capitol lot; it's 3 blocks and saves $12 in parking fees you'd pay in summer tourist season.
Weather reality check: Jackson's December humidity means your hair will frizz and your camera lens will fog when you step outside, keep a microfiber cloth in your pocket for those Sculpture Garden photo ops.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming December means no sunburn, that UV index of 8 burns faster than July in Seattle, when you're walking the Blues Trail markers at midday.
Packing only heavy winter clothes, days hit 62°F (17°C) which feels warm when you're walking, then drops to 41°F (5°C) at night when you're standing still for outdoor concerts.
Trying to hit every museum in one day, December's smaller crowds tempt visitors into marathon cultural days. But the humidity still drains energy by mid-afternoon; plan 2-3 hours max per venue.
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