Things to Do in Ithaca in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Ithaca
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Gorge waterfalls are actually frozen into spectacular ice formations by mid-December - Taughannock Falls transforms into a 65 m (215 ft) ice wall that you can view from the base trail, something impossible in warmer months
- Cornell's winter break (starts December 19, 2026) means downtown restaurants and cafes drop their prices by 15-20% and you can actually get reservations at places like Moosewood - the student exodus creates a quieter, more local atmosphere
- Ithaca Farmers Market runs indoor sessions at Steamboat Landing every Saturday in December (9am-1pm), featuring winter squash, maple products, and hot cider that locals stock up on - prices are 30-40% lower than summer tourist season
- December's low sun angle (UV index 8 is misleading - it's only that high on clear days around midday) makes hiking comfortable without overheating, and the bare trees open up gorge views that are completely obscured by foliage May through October
Considerations
- Trails close without warning when ice forms - Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen typically shuts down by December 15th, and even Ithaca's gorges close sections when temperatures drop below -1°C (30°F) overnight, which happens 18-20 nights in December
- Driving requires genuine winter skills - Route 13 and Route 79 get black ice on bridges, and the hills around Cayuga Lake create microclimates where conditions change every 3 km (2 miles). Rental cars rarely come with winter tires unless you specifically request them
- Outdoor activities end by 4:45pm when it gets dark, and the 70% humidity makes that -2°C (28°F) feel more like -7°C (20°F) with windchill off the lake - you're essentially limited to 9am-4pm for gorge visits
Best Activities in December
Frozen Waterfall Viewing at Finger Lakes Gorges
December is the only month where you catch waterfalls in transition - partially frozen formations with water still flowing behind ice curtains. Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, and Robert Treman gorges all develop different ice patterns depending on that week's temperatures. The variable conditions in December 2026 mean you might see full liquid flow one day and ice columns the next. Best viewing is 11am-2pm when low winter sun actually illuminates the gorge floors. Crowds are essentially non-existent - you'll have these 122 m (400 ft) gorges to yourself on weekdays.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail Tastings
December is harvest celebration month for Finger Lakes wineries - the 2026 vintage is bottled and they're pouring new releases alongside ice wine production (grapes are harvested frozen in December). The 14 wineries along Cayuga Lake's western shore run holiday events, but more importantly, tasting rooms are empty. In summer you wait 20 minutes for a pour; in December you get 15-minute conversations with actual winemakers. Temperatures inside are 18-21°C (65-70°F), making this perfect for those 10 rainy days when outdoor plans fail.
Indoor Rock Climbing at Lindseth Climbing Center
When gorge trails ice over, locals shift to Cornell's climbing gym - open to public during winter break (December 19-31, 2026) with day passes. This is a legitimate 1,400 sq m (15,000 sq ft) facility with 13 m (43 ft) walls, not a tourist attraction. December is when Cornell Outdoor Education runs intro classes for community members since students are gone. The building stays 20°C (68°F) regardless of outside conditions, and it's where you'll actually meet Ithaca residents rather than tourists.
Sciencenter Hands-On Museum
This is Ithaca's backup plan for families when weather turns, but it's genuinely excellent - 250+ interactive exhibits focused on Finger Lakes ecology, including a walk-in camera obscura showing real-time Cayuga Lake views. December features special astronomy programming since sunset at 4:45pm means planetarium shows run during normal visiting hours. The outdoor science playground (usually closed) occasionally opens on those weird December days that hit 10°C (50°F), which happens 3-4 times per month.
Snowshoeing at Hammond Hill State Forest
By late December 2026, Hammond Hill typically has 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) of snow cover while lower elevations around Ithaca are still brown. This 1,500-acre forest at 610 m (2,000 ft) elevation has 16 km (10 miles) of ungroomed trails that locals use for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The variable December weather means you're gambling - check snow depth reports before driving the 25 km (15 miles) from downtown. When conditions work, you get silent forest hiking with views over Cayuga Lake that are impossible to see in summer.
Ithaca Bakery and Local Food Crawl
December is when Ithaca's food scene shifts to locals-only mode - restaurants drop their tourist menus and bring back comfort food. The Ithaca Bakery (not a tourist spot, an actual community bakery) does morning buns and sourdough that sell out by 10am. GreenStar Co-op runs hot soup bars with local ingredients. Collegetown bagel shops have zero lines during winter break. This isn't a formal food tour - it's learning where Ithacans actually eat when students leave. Temperatures hover around 2°C (36°F), so this is perfect for walking 1-2 km (0.5-1 mile) between stops with warm-up breaks.
December Events & Festivals
Ithaca Festival of Trees
Local nonprofits decorate themed trees that get auctioned off, displayed at various downtown businesses and the History Center throughout December. This is a genuine community fundraiser, not a tourist event, but it gives you a reason to explore downtown shops that are otherwise easy to miss. Trees stay up through December 23rd.
First Night Ithaca
New Year's Eve alcohol-free celebration with 50+ performances across downtown venues - theater, music, kids activities, all included in a single button (typically 15-20 USD). Runs 5pm-midnight on December 31st. This is when you see actual Ithaca families downtown rather than Cornell students. Button sales start in November and occasionally sell out.
Winter Solstice Celebration at Cayuga Nature Center
Evening event around December 21st with bonfire, night hiking, and astronomy viewing. The Nature Center sits above Cayuga Lake with minimal light pollution. December's clear cold nights (when it's not cloudy) offer excellent stargazing. This is more participatory than performative - you're hiking trails with locals, not watching a show.