Things to Do in Catania in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Catania
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuinely mild temperatures between 6-16°C (43-62°F) make this ideal for walking Catania's volcanic stone streets without the summer sweat - you can actually explore the fish market at midday without wilting
- December brings Sant'Agata's smaller feast preparations and Christmas markets around Piazza Duomo, giving you access to local traditions without the massive February crowds that pack the city for the main Sant'Agata festival
- Mount Etna's snow-capped peak creates spectacular photo opportunities from the city, and December weather patterns typically mean clearer morning visibility before afternoon clouds roll in - locals know this is prime volcano-viewing season
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to summer peaks, and you'll actually get tables at Via Santa Filomena restaurants without advance bookings - December sits in that sweet spot before Christmas week pricing kicks in
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days aren't predictable drizzles - when it rains in Catania, it properly rains, and the city's ancient drainage struggles with sudden downpours that can flood Piazza Stesicoro within 20 minutes
- Sunset hits around 4:50pm by mid-December, which genuinely cuts into your sightseeing time and means evening activities start earlier than you'd expect - that aperitivo culture shifts to 5:30pm instead of 7pm
- Sea swimming is essentially off the table unless you're particularly hardy - water temperatures drop to around 16°C (61°F), and most beach clubs along La Playa close for the season by early December
Best Activities in December
Mount Etna Winter Crater Tours
December is actually one of the better months for Etna excursions because morning visibility tends to be exceptional before cloud cover develops around 2pm. Snow on the upper slopes creates dramatic landscapes you won't see in summer, and temperatures at 2,900 m (9,514 ft) hover around -5 to 5°C (23-41°F) - cold but manageable with proper layering. The cable car operates weather-permitting, and 4x4 tours to higher elevations work around snow conditions. You'll avoid the summer tour bus crowds, though weekends still get busy with Italian day-trippers.
Historic Center Walking Routes
Those 6-16°C (43-62°F) temperatures make December perfect for covering Catania's baroque core on foot - you can walk from Castello Ursino through Via Crociferi to the Roman Amphitheater without the 35°C (95°F) summer heat bouncing off black lava stone. Morning starts around 9:30am work well, giving you 6-7 hours of daylight. The fish market operates year-round and is actually more atmospheric in cooler weather when you're not fighting August crowds. Churches stay heated, making them pleasant refuge points if rain hits.
Sicilian Cooking Workshop Experiences
December brings seasonal ingredients like wild fennel, blood oranges starting their season, and winter greens that feature in traditional Catanese dishes. Cooking classes move entirely indoors, which matters when those afternoon rains hit. You'll learn pasta alla Norma, arancini techniques, and cassata siciliana in 3-4 hour sessions. Classes typically include market visits in the morning when produce is freshest, then cooking and eating. The indoor nature makes this a perfect rainy-day backup activity.
Taormina and Castelmola Day Trips
The 50 km (31 mile) trip north to Taormina works beautifully in December because summer's oppressive heat and cruise ship crowds disappear. You'll get clearer views of Etna and the coast from Teatro Antico, and wandering Corso Umberto in 12-15°C (54-59°F) weather is genuinely pleasant. Castelmola, perched 8 km (5 miles) above, offers almond wine tastings and panoramic views without summer tour groups. Rain can obscure views, so check forecasts and aim for morning departures.
Syracuse and Ortigia Island Explorations
The 65 km (40 mile) journey south to Syracuse rewards December visitors with empty archaeological sites and comfortable walking temperatures. The Greek Theater, Roman Amphitheater, and Ear of Dionysius are far more atmospheric without summer's crowds and heat. Ortigia Island's narrow streets, Duomo, and Fonte Aretusa spring are perfect for the 4-5 hours of good afternoon light you'll have. Coastal winds can make it feel cooler than Catania, so layer accordingly.
Wine Tasting Routes on Etna's Slopes
December sits in the quiet period after harvest but before spring pruning, meaning winery visits are relaxed and staff have genuine time for tastings. Etna DOC wineries between 400-900 m (1,312-2,953 ft) elevation offer Nerello Mascalese and Carricante tastings in atmospheric cellars. The volcanic soil story becomes more visible with winter's sparse vegetation, and snow-capped Etna provides dramatic backdrops. Temperatures at vineyard elevations run 4-12°C (39-54°F), so indoor tastings are welcome.
December Events & Festivals
Catania Christmas Markets
Piazza Duomo and surrounding streets host wooden chalet-style markets selling local crafts, nativity figures, and Sicilian food specialties. You'll find arancini stalls, roasted chestnuts, and vendors selling handmade presepi (nativity scenes) that Catanese families take seriously. The market atmosphere peaks evenings between 5-9pm when lights come on and locals do their passeggiata. Worth visiting for the food alone - look for pannuzzu (sweet bread) and torrone.
Feast of Santa Lucia
December 13th brings processions and special foods honoring Syracuse's patron saint, celebrated throughout Sicily including Catania. The tradition involves avoiding wheat-based foods, so you'll find cuccia (a sweet made with boiled wheat berries, ricotta, and chocolate) everywhere despite the wheat avoidance - Sicilian logic. Churches hold special masses, and some neighborhoods organize small processions. More low-key than February's Sant'Agata festival but gives you insight into local religious culture.
New Year's Eve in Piazza Duomo
Catania's main square becomes the city's celebration center with live music, food stalls, and midnight fireworks. Locals gather from 10pm onward, and the atmosphere builds toward midnight when Etna often provides a natural fireworks backdrop if she's active. Restaurants require advance bookings for New Year's Eve dinners and charge premium prices - expect €80-150 per person for set menus. The celebration continues until 2-3am with street parties in Via Etnea.