Things to Do in Juneau in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Juneau
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
94°F (34°C)
High Temp
78°F (25°C)
Low Temp
0.3 inches (8 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December in Juneau swaps the wet, cool shoulder season for reliably warm, dry days. You can plan a hike without your rain gear stealing the show.
- + Cruise season is over. You'll have Juneau's signature experiences, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, the Mount Roberts Tramway, the downtown waterfront, feeling more like a local's town than a tourist port.
- + The light is extraordinary. The low-angled winter sun casts long, golden shadows across the Gastineau Channel. It paints the snow-dusted peaks of the Juneau Icefield in sharp relief.
- + Hotel rates and tour prices dip noticeably from summer peaks. A trip here is surprisingly affordable compared to the crush of July.
Considerations
- − Daylight is precious. It shrinks to just over six hours around the solstice. You'll chase the sun. Activities need tight scheduling between roughly 9 AM and 3:30 PM.
- − Many classic summer excursions, like full Tracy Arm Fjord boat tours or some flightseeing operations, have shut down for the season. Others run on severely limited, weather-dependent schedules.
- − Downtown Juneau stays lively. Some smaller, quirkier shops and seasonal eateries in outlying areas like Auke Bay or Douglas might be closed for winter.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Juneau in December exists in a state of deep quiet. The summer cruise ship throngs are gone. The air carries a crisp, metallic chill, often filled with the scent of damp spruce and saltwater. Locals trade hiking boots for snowshoes and embrace the short days, their windows glowing with warm light against the long, indigo evenings. The city does not host major verified festivals this month. The rhythm shifts to one of intimate gatherings and hushed, frosty landscapes. This is a time for witnessing the raw power of the Alaskan winter, where the sound of calving ice echoes across frozen fjords and the sight of a whale's breath hangs in the still air. It is a season defined by elemental beauty rather than scheduled events, offering a perspective on Juneau few summer visitors ever see.
Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View
otherPlaces you on the icy, slate-colored waters of the Inside Passage, where the sharp scent of the sea mixes with the mineral chill of glacier air. You will feel the boat's deck vibrate as humpbacks surface nearby, their exhalations creating a sudden, fishy mist in the cold December light, with the blue-white wall of Mendenhall Glacier looming in the distance.
The chance to witness two of Alaska's most powerful spectacles, the migration of marine giants and the advance of ancient ice, within the same panoramic view.
Insider tip: Dress in layers beneath your provided gear, as the wind whipping across the water in December can penetrate even the warmest coats.
This month: Whale sightings in December are less frequent than in summer but often include large, feeding groups. The glacial ice takes on a more intense, crystalline blue against the winter grays.
Alaska Whale Watching Cruise: 3 Hours on the Water
cruiseDedicates three hours to searching the deep, sheltered channels where nutrient-rich upwellings attract marine life. You will hear the captain cut the engine to silence, leaving only the lap of waves and the sudden, explosive puff of a whale's blowhole, while you taste the salty spray carried on the breeze.
Its focused, expert-led pursuit of humpback and orca pods in their winter feeding grounds.
Insider tip: Book the earliest departure of the day, as winter weather in Juneau tends to be most settled in the morning, offering clearer views.
This month: December cruises often encounter large congregations of Steller sea lions hauled out on rocky islets, their barking calls carrying across the water.
Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour!
foodWeaves through the steep, snowy streets of downtown Juneau, from the malty, warm atmosphere of a brewery taproom to overlooks where you can see clouds snag on the peaks of Mount Juneau. You will taste small-batch ales with notes of local spruce tips and feel the warmth of a handcrafted mug against your palm while looking out over the Gastineau Channel's dark, choppy water.
Pairing Alaska's distinctive craft beer culture with panoramic vistas of the capital's dramatic winter setting.
Insider tip: Ask your guide about the limited-run winter seasonal brews, which often incorporate foraged local ingredients unavailable other times of year.
Norris Adventure: Seaplane, Paddle and Glacier Hike
adventureBegins with the roaring ascent from Juneau's waterfront in a small floatplane, offering a dizzying view of frozen waterfalls and crevassed ice fields. You will then feel the crunch of crampons on the Mendenhall Glacier's surface, hear the creak and groan of the moving ice beneath you, and taste the pure, cold meltwater from a glacial stream.
For those seeking the profound silence and scale of the Juneau Icefield, accessed by a thrilling flight over winter-stark landscapes.
Insider tip: Wear thin, warm gloves that allow dexterity for handling paddle and hiking equipment, as temperatures on the ice can be intensely cold.
This month: December has a chance to see the glacier under a layer of fresh snow, with stark blue ice peeking through, and fewer visitors on the ice.
Juneau Top Sight Seeing Group Tour
guided_experienceEfficiently covers the city's essential vistas, from the quiet, snow-draped grounds of the Alaska State Capitol to the thunderous roar of Nugget Falls where cold spray mists your face. You will see bald eagles perched in bare cottonwood trees and feel the textured ice of the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center's photo-worthy viewing platforms.
For visitors with limited time who want a complete, narrated overview of Juneau's natural and civic landmarks in winter.
Insider tip: Request a window seat on the van when booking, as the views along the winding road to the glacier are continuous.
Where to Stay in Juneau in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Juneau Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the chains. Heritage Coffee on Seward delivers the real deal: baristas who remember your name and sourdough baked fresh in-house. This is where Juneau drinks its coffee.
Want the view without the tram fare? Drive to the overlook at the end of Thane Road. You get the channel, Douglas Island, and maybe a whale spout. No crowds. No ticket.
November through April, restaurants run winter specials and prix-fixe menus. Same high-end Alaskan seafood. Smaller price tag. Worth planning your trip around.
Skip the rental. Downtown Juneau is walkable. Taxis and tour buses handle Mendenhall and the airport just fine. Rent only if you're heading out the road repeatedly.
Avoid These Mistakes
Starting a hike at 4 PM? You'll finish in the dark. Juneau's daylight disappears fast. Plan accordingly.
Pack for wet, not just cold. Soaking 4°C (39°F) cuts deeper than dry -7°C (19°F). Rain gear matters more than extra fleece.
Hours shrink in the off-season. Shops, museums, and tour operators close early or mid-week. Verify before you go.
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