Things to Do in Lebanon in December

December splits Lebanon into two distinct experiences. Beirut and the coast stay mild — roughly 12–17°C (54–63°F) — with occasional rain and far fewer tourists than the summer diaspora peak. The mountains, the ranges above 1,500m around Mzaar Kfardebian and The Cedars near Bcharre, get cold quickly and see real snowfall by mid-month. Christmas is taken seriously here — Lebanon has one of the Arab world's largest Christian populations, so Achrafieh, Gemmayzeh, and the old harbour at Byblos fill with lights and markets in a way you won't find elsewhere in the region.

For foreign visitors, it's one of the more practical months — lower prices, shorter queues at Jeita Grotto and Baalbek, and Beirut restaurant tables that don't require a two-week advance booking. The trade-off is rain: Beirut averages around 130mm in December, so a waterproof layer isn't optional. Christmas week (roughly December 22 through January 2) is the exception — domestic travel increases, mountain hotels around Faraya fill fast, and the city's nightlife around Mar Mikhael gets crowded again. Book accommodation for that window at least three weeks ahead.

Expect Mediterranean winter — mild days around 15–17°C (59–63°F), with evenings dropping to 10–12°C (50–54°F). December is one of the wettest months, averaging around 130–140mm of rainfall spread across roughly 10–12 rainy days. A waterproof jacket and light mid-layer cover most situations on the coast; if you're heading up to the Chouf or the mountains above 1,200m, add proper warm layers and shoes with grip.

Possibly, but don't build your trip around it. The main resorts — Mzaar Kfardebian (the country's largest, at around 1,850–2,465m), Faraya, and The Cedars — typically need a strong snowfall before opening, which sometimes arrives in December but more reliably hits by January. In a good snow year, Mzaar may have a few runs open by late December; day passes run roughly $30–50 depending on conditions and day of the week. Check the Mzaar website or local ski Facebook groups the week before you go, since road access to the upper slopes can close briefly after heavy overnight snow.

Byblos (Jbeil) runs one of the better-known Christmas markets along its Crusader-era harbour, usually through most of the month. Jounieh, about 20km north of Beirut, is famous for waterfront light displays that draw evening crowds from the capital. In Beirut itself, midnight Mass on December 24th fills Saint George Maronite Cathedral and Saint Joseph Church in Achrafieh, and the streets around the Downtown tree are worth a walk. The Greek Orthodox community follows the Julian calendar and celebrates Christmas on January 7th, so festivities stretch into early January.

Low season for foreign visitors, which makes Beirut's restaurants and cultural sites noticeably easier to navigate than August. The exception is the Christmas-to-New-Year stretch, when Lebanese expats return from the Gulf and Europe and domestic tourism peaks — mountain towns like Faraya and Bcharre book out quickly. Outside that two-week window, December has a version of Lebanon that feels less performed and more lived-in.

Lebanon's security situation shifted significantly in 2024 and has remained fluid; southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs saw serious conflict during that period. Always check your government's current travel advisory — UK FCDO, US State Department, or equivalent — in the weeks immediately before travel, not months before. Beirut's central districts, Byblos, and the northern mountains have historically been more stable than the south and the Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border, but on-the-ground conditions can change faster than guidebook updates.

For Beirut, a waterproof shell, a mid-layer (fleece or light down), and sturdy walking shoes handle most days. If you're doing any mountain travel — even a day trip to Bcharre, the Qadisha Valley, or the Chouf — add warm trousers, gloves, and footwear with real grip since ice appears on roads above 1,200m. Beirut's restaurants and bars expect smart-casual in the evenings; the city doesn't dress down much regardless of season.