Things to Do in Albany in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Albany
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Holiday festivities peak in December - Tulip Festival kicks off mid-month at Washington Park, ice skating at the Empire State Plaza opens daily (11am-9pm, $5 admission plus $5 skate rental), and the Palace Theatre runs seasonal performances that locals actually attend, not just tourist shows
- Museum season hits its stride when outdoor activities slow down - New York State Museum stays warm and uncrowded on weekday mornings (free admission, 9:30am-5pm), perfect for those drizzly afternoons that happen roughly 10 days this month
- Hotel rates drop 20-30% compared to summer and fall foliage season - you'll find downtown properties in the $90-140 range instead of $150-200, and booking 3-4 weeks out typically locks in the best deals before holiday travelers fill remaining inventory
- Winter restaurant menus showcase upstate New York ingredients - local restaurants feature venison, root vegetables from nearby farms, and warming dishes that make more sense in 4°C (39°F) weather than the standard year-round menus you'd get in warmer months
Considerations
- Daylight ends around 4:30pm by mid-December - outdoor activities need to wrap by 4pm, which cuts your sightseeing window to roughly 9am-4pm, and the early darkness combined with 70% humidity creates that bone-chilling dampness that feels colder than the thermometer suggests
- Weather unpredictability makes planning tricky - those 10 rainy days could be light drizzle or freezing rain, temperatures can swing from -3°C (27°F) to 4°C (39°F) within 24 hours, and you might see bare pavement one day and 5 cm (2 inches) of snow the next
- Many outdoor attractions either close or operate on reduced schedules - hiking trails at Thacher Park become icy and potentially dangerous, boat tours on the Hudson shut down for winter, and several historic sites outside the city center close until April
Best Activities in December
New York State Capitol Building Tours
December is actually ideal for exploring this architectural landmark because you're inside, warm, and the tour groups thin out significantly compared to spring and fall. The building's heating system keeps things comfortable while you examine the Million Dollar Staircase and Senate Chamber. The free guided tours run hourly on weekdays (10am-3pm) and the building's Romanesque Revival details photograph beautifully in the soft winter light filtering through those massive windows. Worth noting that the Capitol is less crowded in December than any other month except January and February.
Washington Park Winter Walks and Tulip Festival Prep
The park takes on a completely different character in December - bare trees reveal architectural details of surrounding brownstones you can't see in summer, and the Moses Fountain area becomes almost meditative when snow dusts the pathways. The Tulip Festival planning happens throughout December, so you'll occasionally see crews setting up infrastructure. Morning walks work best (8am-10am) before wind picks up, and the park's 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of paths are usually walkable unless there's been recent snow. The damp cold means you'll want to keep moving rather than sitting on benches.
Empire State Plaza Ice Skating
This is genuinely one of the better outdoor skating experiences in upstate New York during December because the plaza's architecture creates a wind buffer, and the ice quality stays decent even when temperatures hover around freezing. The rink operates daily through December (11am-9pm, weather permitting), and evening sessions under the plaza lights have that proper winter atmosphere locals actually enjoy. The -3°C to 4°C (27°F to 39°F) range is actually ideal for skating - cold enough for good ice, not so cold that you're miserable after 20 minutes.
Historic Mansion Tours in Center Square and Mansion Neighborhoods
December is perfect for touring Albany's historic house museums because you're escaping the cold while seeing how wealthy 19th-century families lived, and many properties decorate for historical holiday celebrations. The Ten Broeck Mansion and Schuyler Mansion offer guided tours that run 45-60 minutes, and the period rooms feel especially atmospheric when it's gray and damp outside. These neighborhoods also showcase some of Albany's best residential architecture - brownstones and row houses from the 1800s that photograph beautifully against winter skies.
Craft Brewery Tours in Albany and Troy
The Capital Region's brewery scene peaks in winter when locals spend more time indoors, and December means seasonal releases - winter stouts, barrel-aged beers, and holiday specials you won't find other months. Several breweries operate within 8 km (5 miles) of downtown Albany, and the taproom atmosphere is genuinely welcoming rather than touristy. Troy's brewery district (about 15 minutes north) clusters several spots within walking distance. The warming effect of tasting rooms makes this ideal for those damp 4°C (39°F) afternoons when outdoor activities lose their appeal.
New York State Museum Extended Visits
December weather makes this the ideal month for spending 2-3 hours in the state museum rather than rushing through. The permanent exhibitions on New York history, the Adirondacks, and Native American cultures are substantial enough to fill a rainy afternoon, and the building's climate control is a relief when it's damp and cold outside. The museum is genuinely free (not suggested donation - actually free), which makes it excellent value. Weekday mornings see almost no crowds, and you can easily combine this with the Empire State Plaza skating rink in a single afternoon.
December Events & Festivals
Victorian Stroll in Troy
This annual event typically happens the first Sunday in December in Troy's downtown historic district, about 15 minutes north of Albany. The neighborhood's 19th-century architecture gets decorated period-style, local shops stay open late, and street performers create that proper Victorian winter atmosphere. It's one of the few December events in the region that locals actually attend rather than just tourists, and it gives you a reason to explore Troy's surprisingly intact historic downtown.
Empire State Plaza Holiday Lighting
The plaza's modernist architecture gets lit up throughout December with seasonal displays, and the ice skating rink operates against this backdrop. It's not a single-day event but rather an ongoing display that runs from late November through early January. The lighting is most impressive after 5pm when it's fully dark, which happens quite early in December. Combine this with an evening skating session for the full experience.
Palace Theatre Holiday Performances
This restored 1930s theater runs seasonal shows throughout December - typically a mix of holiday concerts, classic film screenings, and touring performances. The theater itself is worth seeing regardless of what's playing, with original Art Deco details and surprisingly good acoustics for a venue this size. Check their schedule in November as December shows often sell out 2-3 weeks in advance for weekend performances.