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
30°F (-1°C)
High Temp
23°F (-5°C)
Low Temp
13.3 inches (338 mm)
Rainfall
73%
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 under a low, soft light. Days feel both brief and expansive. The air carries a clean, cold edge, a scent of wet spruce and saltwater. The mountains that cradle the city are often dusted with fresh snow, their peaks vanishing into a ceiling of cloud. You will see strings of white lights tracing the eaves of buildings in the downtown grid. You will hear the cheerful clatter from warm, steamy-windowed cafes where locals gather out of the chill. This is not a month for large beach days. It is for embracing the intimate scale of Alaska's capital, where grandeur is felt in the deep blue ice of a glacier, the misty breath of a humpback whale, and the cozy glow of a brewery tasting room after a day spent in crisp, open air. Travelers curious about Juneau weather in December will find it variable, a dance between clear, still moments and sudden, misty showers that leave the streets gleaming. Pack for layers. Pack for the feel of a damp breeze coming off the Gastineau Channel. Pack for the possibility of seeing snow gather on the wooden boardwalks. The search for things to do in Juneau leads naturally to its wild surroundings, where winter quiets the summer crowds and turns the waterways and trails into more personal experiences. You might plan day trips to the silent face of a glacier. You might seek out Juneau restaurants known for their hearty, locally sourced fare, a perfect counterpoint to the chill outside. This is a time for substantive exploration, where sensory rewards are the sharp taste of a craft ale, the echoing crack of calving ice, and the sight of your own breath hanging in the still air of a coastal rainforest.
Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View
otherpairs two of Alaska's most profound sights into a single journey. You will feel the boat's gentle roll as you scan for the dark, arching back of a humpback whale. Then you will hear the collective gasp when a fluke rises and slaps the steel-gray water. Later, you stand before the frozen river of Mendenhall Glacier, its craggy face a wall of electric blue, and listen to the distant thunder of ice calving into the lake.
It delivers the twin icons of the Inside Passage, marine mammals and ancient ice, in one efficient, impressive outing.
Insider tip: Dress in full waterproof layers, not just a jacket, as the spray from the boat and the mist from the glacier can leave you soaked through.
Alaska Whale Watching Cruise: 3 Hours on the Water
cruisededicates three full hours to seeking out the giants of the deep in the nutrient-rich waters around Juneau. The boat's heated cabin has a reprieve from the cold. You will want to be out on deck, feeling the wind on your face and smelling the salty air as you watch for a puff of vapor that signals a whale's breath.
This focused marine safari maximizes your time on the water and your chances of witnessing spectacular feeding behaviors or breaching.
Insider tip: Ask the crew about the hydrophone. If conditions allow, they may lower it so you can hear the haunting, melodic songs of the whales underwater.
Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour!
foodmarries urban exploration with panoramic vistas, moving from the malty, hoppy aroma of a brewery taproom to overlooks where you can see snow clinging to the distant peaks. You will taste small-batch ales made with local ingredients, perhaps a spruce tip IPA that carries the essence of the rainforest, while learning about Juneau's character from a guide.
It connects the story of modern Juneau through its craft beverage scene and its outstanding natural backdrop.
Insider tip: Eat a solid meal before the tour. The samples come in quick succession and the alpine roads can be winding.
Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour
guided_experiencecombines a vigorous land-based adventure with a marine excursion. You will hike a forest trail where the air smells of damp earth and spruce, feeling the crunch of frozen gravel underfoot, to reach the roaring spray of Nugget Falls pounding before the glacier's face. Later, you transition to a boat to search for sea lions and whales in the channel.
This tour satisfies both the urge to walk amid monumental landscapes and the desire to examine the rich coastal ecosystem.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good traction. The trail to the waterfall can be icy and slick in December.
Norris Adventure: Seaplane, Paddle and Glacier Hike
adventureis an ambitious immersion into the remote backcountry accessible only from Juneau. After a thrilling seaplane flight where you see a mosaic of ice and forest from above, you will paddle a kayak across a placid, iceberg-dotted lake, listening to the drip of melting ice, before strapping on crampons to walk directly on the ancient, grooved surface of a glacier.
It has a rare, multi-faceted access to the Alaskan wilderness, from aerial views to intimate contact with glacial ice.
Insider tip: This is a physically demanding trip. Be honest about your fitness level and prepare for several hours of active movement in cold conditions.
Juneau Top Sight Seeing Group Tour
guided_experienceprovides a complete overview of the capital city's highlights, from the gold-rush era architecture of downtown to the sweeping overlooks along the Douglas Highway. You will see the small, ornate Russian Orthodox church, feel the cool humidity of the rainforest at the Glacier Gardens, and hear stories of the city's boom-and-bust past.
It is an efficient way to grasp the historical and geographical layout of Juneau, useful for visitors with limited time.
Insider tip: Request a window seat when you board the vehicle for unobstructed views and better photos at the quick-stop viewpoints.
Explore More Activities in Juneau
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See All Juneau Tours on ViatorWhere to Stay in Juneau in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
New Year's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
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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