Things to Do in Lebanon in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Lebanon
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Ski season kicks off at Mzaar Kfardebian and Cedars resorts - fresh powder without the January crowds, lift tickets running 80,000-120,000 LBP ($27-40 USD) depending on conditions and advance booking
- Beirut's cultural calendar hits peak energy with Christmas markets in Saifi Village and downtown, plus the Beirut International Film Festival typically mid-month - the city feels genuinely festive without the commercial overload you'd get in Europe
- Mountain villages like Bcharre and Ehden transform into winter wonderlands with wood smoke curling from stone houses, traditional restaurants serving lentil soup and kibbeh nayyeh, and virtually no tourist buses - you'll actually have conversations with locals
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to summer peak season, especially coastal properties in Byblos and Batroun that are essentially empty but still operational - proper boutique hotels for $80-120/night that would cost $200+ in July
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get three gorgeous sunny days followed by a week of cold rain, and mountain roads to ski resorts can close without warning when storms roll in from the Mediterranean
- Coastal ruins and archaeological sites like Baalbek become pretty miserable in the rain - that Roman stonework looks dramatic but offers zero shelter, and muddy conditions mean you're squelching through 2,000 years of history
- Shorter daylight hours (sunset around 4:45pm) mean you're racing against the clock for outdoor activities, and many mountain villages essentially shut down after dark with restaurants closing by 8pm
Best Activities in December
Cedars of Lebanon Skiing and Mountain Villages
December marks the start of ski season in the Lebanon Mountains, with resorts typically opening mid-month depending on snowfall. The Cedars resort sits at 2,000 m (6,560 ft) elevation with runs up to 3,000 m (9,840 ft), offering genuine alpine skiing just 2 hours from Beirut. What makes December special is the fresh snow without the holiday crowds - you'll actually get lift access without 30-minute queues. The nearby village of Bcharre stays authentic in winter, with locals going about their business rather than catering to tourists. Morning skiing followed by afternoon exploring the Gibran Museum works perfectly with December's light schedule.
Beirut Food Tours and Market Exploration
December brings seasonal specialties you won't find other times of year - roasted chestnuts on every corner, hot sahlab (orchid root drink) in cafes, and traditional Christmas sweets like meghli appearing in bakeries. The weather actually works in your favor for food tours since you're moving between indoor stops, and that crisp air makes hot manakish and fresh kaak more appealing than in summer heat. Bourj Hammoud's Armenian quarter becomes particularly atmospheric in December with holiday preparations, and the Souk el Tayeb farmers market (Saturdays in Beirut Souks) showcases winter produce like fresh za'atar and mountain honey. The 3-4 hour walking food tour format is perfect for December's temperatures.
Baalbek and Bekaa Valley Wine Tours
The Bekaa Valley's wineries are actually more accessible in December than summer - cooler temperatures make the 1.5-hour drive from Beirut more comfortable, and you'll have tasting rooms essentially to yourself. December is post-harvest so you won't see grape-picking, but winemakers have more time to actually talk you through their process. Pairing this with Baalbek's Roman temples works if you get a clear day - those massive columns against winter skies create dramatic photos impossible in summer's harsh light. That said, have a backup plan because if it's raining, standing in an open-air archaeological site at 1,150 m (3,770 ft) elevation gets genuinely unpleasant fast.
Byblos and Batroun Coastal Town Exploration
Lebanon's northern coastal towns become genuinely local in December - the summer beach clubs close, but the historic quarters and fishing harbors remain beautiful without the selfie-stick crowds. Byblos' Crusader castle and ancient port area are more atmospheric in winter light, and you can actually photograph the old souk without dodging tour groups. Batroun's Phoenician sea wall and old town feel like a working Lebanese town rather than a tourist attraction. The catch is weather - you need a clear day, but when you get one, the Mediterranean looks steel-blue and dramatic rather than the flat summer turquoise. Plan these as half-day trips from Beirut (45-60 minutes north) and have indoor museum backup options.
Jeita Grotto Cave System
The Jeita Grotto is one of those rare attractions that's actually BETTER in December - the cave system stays a constant 16°C (61°F) year-round, which feels pleasantly warm when it's cold and rainy outside. The upper gallery's stalactites and lower gallery's underground river are completely weather-independent, making this the perfect backup plan when mountain roads close or coastal sites get rained out. December's lower visitor numbers mean you're not shuffled through in massive groups, and you can actually pause to appreciate the scale of the formations. Located just 20 km (12.4 miles) north of Beirut, it's an easy half-day trip that works regardless of conditions.
Tripoli Old City and Souks
Lebanon's second city gets overlooked by tourists even in peak season, which means December feels genuinely authentic - this is a working city, not a museum. The medieval souks (some dating to the 14th century) are mostly covered, making them perfect for rainy days, and the smell of soap-making in Khan al-Saboun becomes more intense in the damp air. December brings traditional sweets like halawet el-jibn to pastry shops, and the Mamluk-era hammams offer a warm escape from cold weather. The 90-minute drive north from Beirut can feel long in winter traffic, but you're experiencing a side of Lebanon that's disappeared from coastal tourist zones. Budget a full day to really explore the old city's layers.
December Events & Festivals
Beirut International Film Festival
Typically runs mid-December with screenings across multiple venues in Beirut, showcasing Arab and international cinema. The festival brings genuine cultural energy to the city with director Q&As, late-night screenings, and film industry gatherings that spill into downtown bars. Worth planning around if you're interested in Middle Eastern cinema - tickets sell out for marquee screenings but general admission stays accessible.
Christmas Markets and Celebrations
Lebanon's Christian communities (roughly 30% of the population) create elaborate Christmas displays throughout December, particularly in Beirut's Saifi Village, downtown Solidere area, and mountain towns like Faraya. These aren't tourist fabrications - they're genuine community celebrations with church services, nativity scenes, and food stalls selling traditional holiday sweets. The atmosphere peaks during the final week before Christmas with caroling and late-night gatherings in Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael neighborhoods.