Things to Do in Ann Arbor in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Ann Arbor
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December sits in Ann Arbor's sweet spot between fall football chaos and winter deep freeze - you'll actually find hotel availability without the September-October premium pricing that comes with home games, typically saving 30-40% on accommodations compared to fall weekends
- The holiday atmosphere transforms downtown into something genuinely special, with the Ann Arbor Winter Art Fair (one of the oldest juried art fairs in the country) bringing 200+ artists to Liberty Street and Main Street, plus the streets stay walkable without the ice and snow that typically hits mid-January through February
- University of Michigan operates on a lighter schedule after finals wrap around December 15-18, meaning you can actually get reservations at Zingerman's Delicatessen without the 45-minute weekday lunch lines, and campus attractions like the Museum of Natural History and Nichols Arboretum feel more accessible
- December weather in Ann Arbor tends toward mild by Midwest standards - those 22°C (71°F) highs we're seeing lately mean you can still enjoy outdoor activities like walking the Huron River trails or exploring Kerrytown without the bitter cold that makes January and February genuinely uncomfortable for extended outdoor time
Considerations
- That 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) of rainfall spread across 10 days is actually misleading - December in Ann Arbor means unpredictable weather swings where you might get 15°C (59°F) and sunny one day, then 2°C (36°F) with freezing rain the next, making it tough to pack efficiently or plan outdoor activities more than 48 hours ahead
- The university empties out after December 18, which sounds nice but actually means many student-oriented restaurants and coffee shops run reduced hours or close entirely for winter break, and the energy that makes Ann Arbor feel vibrant during the academic year noticeably drops off in the final two weeks of December
- December sits in that awkward shoulder period where outdoor activities feel too cold for comfort but there's often not enough snow for proper winter sports - you're essentially stuck indoors more than you'd like, without the compensation of reliable snow for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing that makes January and February more purposeful
Best Activities in December
University of Michigan Campus Walking Tours
December offers the rare opportunity to explore campus when it's not swarming with 47,000 students rushing between classes. The Law Quad looks particularly atmospheric in early winter light, and you can actually spend time in the Hatcher Graduate Library or Harlan Hatcher Reading Room without competing for space. After finals end around December 18, you'll have iconic spots like the Diag and the Michigan Union nearly to yourself. The mild temperatures we're seeing (highs around 22°C/71°F) make this significantly more pleasant than the January-February deep freeze when walking tours become genuinely miserable.
Ann Arbor Winter Art Fair Browsing
Running typically during the second or third week of December, this juried art fair has been operating since the 1960s and brings serious artists (not craft fair vendors) selling ceramics, jewelry, photography, and paintings across multiple downtown venues. December timing means you're shopping in heated indoor spaces rather than summer heat, and the fair coincides with downtown holiday decorations. The quality here is legitimately high - many artists have waiting lists for their work. Plan to spend 3-4 hours if you're serious about browsing all venues, which typically include the Michigan League, Ann Arbor Art Center, and Liberty Street locations.
Zingerman's Delicatessen and Bakehouse Tours
December is actually the ideal time to experience Zingerman's without the overwhelming crowds that plague this Ann Arbor institution during academic year peak times. The delicatessen on Detroit Street still draws lines, but they move faster when students are gone, and the behind-the-scenes bakehouse tours (showing how they make their famous Jewish rye and challah) run throughout December with better availability. The deli's hot chocolate and coffee program is particularly worth experiencing in cooler weather. Worth noting that Zingerman's has expanded into a family of businesses - the Roadhouse, Creamery, and Coffee Company each offer different experiences.
Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens Hiking
December strips away the summer foliage, which actually improves sightlines along the Huron River trails and makes the 123-acre Arboretum feel more expansive. The peony garden is obviously dormant, but the prairie restoration areas and woodland trails offer solid hiking when temperatures cooperate. Matthaei Botanical Gardens (3 km/1.9 miles northeast of campus) keeps its conservatory greenhouse open year-round, providing a warm tropical escape when December weather turns nasty. The conservatory's 70-75°F interior offers genuine relief during cold snaps. Trail conditions vary wildly in December - some days are perfect for hiking, others turn muddy or icy.
Downtown Ann Arbor Independent Bookstore Browsing
Ann Arbor maintains an unusually strong independent bookstore culture, with Literati Bookstore on East Washington and Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room offering the kind of browsing experience that's increasingly rare. December means holiday recommendation tables are well-curated, author events continue through mid-month before winter break, and the tea room at Crazy Wisdom provides a warm spot to sit with purchases. The Literati also runs a cocktail bar upstairs (Literati Cocktails and Provisions) that's worth visiting separately. These aren't tourist traps - they're legitimate community institutions where locals actually shop.
Kerrytown Market and Farmers Market Shopping
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market continues through December (Saturdays 8am-3pm) in the Kerrytown district, transitioning from fresh produce to root vegetables, winter squash, Michigan apples, and prepared foods like artisan bread and pastured meats. December means smaller vendor turnout than summer peak, but the quality remains high and you're shopping with locals rather than tourists. The surrounding Kerrytown shops (specialty foods, kitchen supplies, Detroit Street Filling Station restaurant) stay open and the whole district feels authentically Ann Arbor rather than campus-oriented.
December Events & Festivals
Ann Arbor Winter Art Fair
This juried art fair typically runs for 3-4 days during the second or third week of December, featuring 200+ artists across multiple downtown venues. It's one of the oldest and most respected art fairs in the region, focusing on fine art and craft rather than mass-produced items. Expect ceramics, jewelry, photography, fiber arts, and paintings from artists who've been juried into the show. The indoor format means you're browsing in comfort regardless of weather. Many locals do their holiday shopping here specifically because the quality exceeds typical craft fair offerings.
University of Michigan Holiday Concerts
The School of Music, Theatre and Dance typically schedules holiday concerts in early-to-mid December before students leave for winter break. These range from classical performances at Hill Auditorium (one of the country's great concert halls with exceptional acoustics) to jazz ensembles and choral groups. The quality is legitimately high - these are serious music students, not community theater. Hill Auditorium itself is worth seeing as an architectural landmark, and tickets for student performances typically run 10-25 USD, dramatically cheaper than professional touring acts.