ValidaTrip / Things to do in Delhi
Things to do in Delhi in December 2026
By ValidaTrip Research · Updated May 20, 2026
Quick answer: Delhi in December 2026 usually runs near 23C by day, 8C at night, with about 1 rainy day.
Dated picks to verify first include Delhi Literature Festival 2026 and Delhi International Arts Festival 2026.
Check the dated events and venue hours below before assigning fixed dates.
Events, festivals, and public holidays for Delhi, India, in December 2026.
The point is making sure the places you already want to see are actually open on the days you'll be there.
Planning a Delhi trip in December?
Paste the recommendations you've collected — from friends, a ChatGPT itinerary, or blog listicles. ValidaTrip checks every place against your December dates: opening hours, closures, what needs booking ahead, and which Delhi events overlap your trip.
No account needed to try it.
Month context
Delhi in December: weather, seasonal timing, and what changes.
Delhi weather in December
High
23°C
Low
8.3°C
Rain
1d
9mm
10.2h daylight
What to prioritize in December
Prioritize Red Fort, Qutb Minar, Hauz Khas Complex, India Gate and Kartavya Path, Akshardham Temple.
Dates to check
Events, festivals, and closures in Delhi.
Events & festivals in Delhi, December 2026
Dates and ticketing change constantly — treat this as a starting point and confirm anything you'd build a day around.
- Dec 5 – Dec 7
Delhi Literature Festival 2026
A gathering of authors, poets, and literary enthusiasts featuring panel discussions, book launches, and readings. — Free entry for most events; some workshops require prior registration.
via GPT Festivals
- Dec 10 – Dec 20
Delhi International Arts Festival 2026
A multi-disciplinary arts festival showcasing performances, exhibitions, and workshops by national and international artists across Delhi. — Tickets available online and at venue box offices; early booking recommended for popular shows.
via GPT Festivals
- Dec 15 – Dec 17
Qutub Festival 2026
A cultural festival held at the Qutub Minar complex featuring classical music and dance performances. — Tickets can be booked online; limited seating available.
via GPT Festivals
- Dec 18 – Dec 27
Delhi Winter Craft Mela 2026
A seasonal fair showcasing traditional crafts, handlooms, and artisanal products from across India. — Entry is free; some workshops and demonstrations may require tickets.
via GPT Festivals
Public holidays & closures in December 2026
No national public holidays fall in India during December 2026. Individual venues still keep their own closed days — ValidaTrip checks each place on your list against the exact dates you're there.
City context
What Delhi is known for before you choose what to prioritize.
Known for
City context
Delhi is a Yamuna River metropolis where Old Delhi's Shahjahanabad lanes, British-planned New Delhi, and South Delhi's older sultanate sites sit in one National Capital Territory. The Red Fort, Connaught Place, Mehrauli, Nizamuddin, and Akshardham form a city map built by at least eight historic settlements.
Food & drink
Local flavor
Delhi is a street-food and north-Indian restaurant city: parathas in Paranthe Wali Gali, chaat around Bengali Market and Chawri Bazaar, kebabs near Jama Masjid, chole bhature in Karol Bagh, and butter chicken or dal makhani across New Delhi menus. Prices can stay low if you eat in markets rather than hotel restaurants, although Connaught Place and Khan Market push costs toward Mumbai levels. The regional fact is that Punjabi, Mughlai, Bengali CR Park, and Old Delhi Muslim cooking all operate as distinct food maps inside the same Metro system.
Things to do
Attractions and sights to consider in Delhi.
Things to do in Delhi
Map of top sights in Delhi
- 1Red Fort
- 2Qutb Minar
- 3Hauz Khas Complex
- 4India Gate and Kartavya Path
- 5Akshardham Temple
- 6Jama Masjid
- 1
Red Fort
4.5★ · 179,429outdoorThe 17th-century Mughal palace-fort in Old Delhi, built for Shah Jahan's Shahjahanabad. It sits by Chandni Chowk and pairs naturally with Jama Masjid on foot.
WikipediaSecurity lines are longest on holidays and around Independence Day ceremonies on 15 August.
- 2
Qutb Minar
4.5★ · 159,829outdoor73m tower in Mehrauli, begun under Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed in 1220. The surrounding complex includes early Delhi Sultanate tombs, arches, and carved stonework.
Wikipedia - 3
Hauz Khas Complex
4.4★ · 941outdoorOpen dailyRuined madrasa, reservoir, and traces of Siri, the fortified city established in 1303. The nearby village adds cafes and galleries to a South Delhi historical walk.
Wikipedia
Show 7 more sights
- 4India Gate and Kartavya Path
- 5Akshardham Temple
- 6Jama Masjid
- 7Lotus Temple
- 8Purana Qila
- 9Connaught Place and Rajiv Chowk
- 10Humayun's Tomb
Areas and routes
Neighborhoods, day trips, and getting around Delhi.
Delhi neighborhoods
Each district has its own character — knowing which one you're in changes what's realistic to fit in a day.
Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk
Shahjahanabad core with Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, and Daryaganj. It is dense, loud, food-heavy, and best handled by Metro plus short cycle-rickshaw hops.
New Delhi and Connaught Place
Lutyens Delhi around Connaught Place, Janpath, Kartavya Path, India Gate, and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Wide avenues and colonial blocks replace Old Delhi lanes.
Paharganj and Karol Bagh
Central Delhi hotel-and-market belt near New Delhi station, RK Ashram Marg, and Karol Bagh. It is convenient for trains and budget stays, with heavy street traffic and constant touting.
South Delhi, Mehrauli, and Hauz Khas
Qutb Minar, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Hauz Khas, Saket, and Vasant Kunj spread along the Yellow and Magenta lines. This is the upscale restaurant and medieval-ruins side of Delhi.
Nizamuddin and South East Delhi
Humayun's Tomb, Sunder Nursery, CR Park, Kalkaji, Lotus Temple, and Tughlakabad sit in this broad district. It mixes Mughal garden tombs, Bengali food streets, and temple traffic.
East Delhi and the Yamuna side
Akshardham, Shahdara, and neighborhoods east of the Yamuna give Delhi a different edge from the New Delhi axis. The Blue Line makes this side practical for one targeted temple visit.
Day trips from Delhi
Doable as a long day or comfortable as an overnight — each one is a destination on its own.
230km / 2-5h by train from New Delhi or 3h by Yamuna Expressway
Agra and the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Mughal riverfront gardens make the strongest single day outside Delhi. The Taj Mahal is closed on Friday, so do not plan the trip then.
280km / about 4h by the fastest trains from Delhi
Jaipur
Rajasthan capital with Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and bazaars. It is possible as a long day by early train, but easier as an overnight.
160km / 2-3h by train to Mathura plus rickshaw
Vrindavan and Mathura
Krishna pilgrimage towns south of Delhi. Festival dates such as Holi change the crowd level dramatically, so check train availability before committing.
Getting around
The Delhi Metro is the practical backbone, with Yellow Line useful for Chandni Chowk, New Delhi station, Hauz Khas, and Qutb Minar, and Blue Line useful for Akshardham. Fares run about Rs10-60, a Smart Card costs Rs200 with Rs150 value and Rs50 deposit, and the Airport Express has special fares from Indira Gandhi International Airport.
How to plan Delhi in December
- 1
Anchor the month
Check the 4 dated Delhi events for anything that overlaps your exact December dates before assigning fixed sightseeing days.
- 2
Protect closure days
Confirm weekly closed days for museums, markets, and major sights even though India has no national public holidays in December.
- 3
Group and validate
Group each Delhi day by nearby neighborhoods, then validate the saved places against your trip dates before exporting the checked route to Google Maps.
What to pack for Delhi in December
Pack from the monthly climate profile, not a generic Delhi checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 23C.
- A light evening layer because nights average 8C.
- Sun protection and comfortable walking shoes; rain is usually limited this month.
How many days do you need in Delhi
4 days covers the main Delhi highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Is Delhi worth visiting in December
Yes. Delhi in December: 23°C high, 8.3°C low, 9mm rain over 1 days, 10.2h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Validate your list
Turn this into a Delhi plan that actually works
All your recs in one place
Paste what friends, ChatGPT, and blogs gave you for Delhi. ValidaTrip pulls out each place and sorts it — no spreadsheet by hand.
Open on your dates
Every place checked against the days you're actually in Delhi, with timed tickets and reservation-only spots flagged while you can still get a slot.
Export to Google Maps
Send the cleaned, checked, and neighborhood-grouped plan to Google Maps so your Delhi days are ready to navigate.
Questions
- What's on in Delhi in December 2026?
- Around 4 notable events and festivals fall in December 2026, including Delhi Literature Festival 2026, Delhi International Arts Festival 2026, Qutub Festival 2026. Dates and times change — confirm each before you build your day around it.
- Are there public holidays in Delhi during December 2026?
- No national public holidays fall in Delhi during December 2026, but individual venues still have their own closed days.
- Will the places on my list be open when I'm in Delhi in December?
- Not always. Opening days and hours vary by weekday, season, and holiday. Paste your Delhi list into ValidaTrip and it checks every place against the exact dates you're there, flagging closures before the trip instead of at a locked door.
- How do I plan Delhi days without crossing the city twice?
- ValidaTrip groups your places by neighborhood so each day stays in one or two areas instead of zig-zagging. It also flags what needs booking ahead, so timed tickets and reservations don't fall through.