Things to Do in Houma in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Houma
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Comfortable temperatures averaging 15°C (59°F) make December ideal for outdoor exploration without the summer swelter - you can actually walk around midday without melting, which locals take full advantage of for farmers market season
- December marks the tail end of sugarcane harvest season, meaning you'll catch the annual Rougarou Fest preparations and genuine Cajun cultural events that aren't staged for tourists - plus fresh cane syrup at every market stall
- Bayou fishing conditions peak in December as redfish and speckled trout move into shallow waters with cooling temperatures - charter boats are readily available and you'll pay 20-30% less than spring rates, typically USD 350-500 for half-day trips versus USD 500-700 in March
- Christmas on the Bayou transforms downtown Houma into something genuinely special, with 200,000+ lights along the waterfront and actual Cajun holiday traditions like bonfires on the levee - it's become a regional draw but hasn't hit overcrowded status yet
Considerations
- December weather in south Louisiana is genuinely unpredictable - you might get 24°C (75°F) and sunny one day, then 8°C (46°F) with drizzle the next, which makes packing frustrating and outdoor plans require flexibility
- Roughly 10 days see some rainfall, and while totals are low at 5 mm (0.2 inches) for the month, those gray drizzly days can shut down swamp tours and make bayou photography pretty dismal - have indoor backup plans ready
- This isn't peak tourism season because Houma isn't really a tourist town, which means some smaller attractions and tour operators run limited schedules or close entirely - always call ahead rather than assuming something's open
Best Activities in December
Bayou Swamp Tours
December is actually one of the better months for swamp tours despite what you'd think. The cooler water temperatures bring alligators closer to the surface during midday warmth, and the thinned-out vegetation after first frost means better sightlines into the cypress groves. You'll spot more birds too - December is migration season for various duck species. The 70% humidity feels manageable at 15°C (59°F) rather than oppressive. Tours typically run 90 minutes to 2 hours through Terrebonne Parish wetlands.
Cajun Cooking Classes and Food Tours
December is when locals actually cook the good stuff - it's gumbo season, boucherie season, and every church in Terrebonne Parish is doing fundraiser dinners with real family recipes. Cooking classes tend to focus on holiday Cajun dishes you won't find in summer sessions. The cooler weather makes standing over a cast iron pot actually pleasant rather than torturous. Food tours through downtown hit seasonal specialties like oyster dishes during Louisiana's R-month oyster season.
Charter Fishing Trips
December is legitimately one of the best fishing months in Terrebonne Parish. Redfish are schooling in shallow marsh areas, speckled trout are aggressive in 13-16°C (55-60°F) water, and you'll avoid the brutal sun exposure of summer trips. The UV index of 8 is manageable with basic sun protection versus summer's relentless intensity. Four-hour trips give you genuine chances at limits, and captains aren't juggling multiple bookings like they do March through May.
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge Kayaking
The 4,212-hectare (10,408-acre) refuge is spectacular in December when water levels stabilize and temperatures make paddling comfortable rather than exhausting. You'll see overwintering waterfowl, and the cooler weather means you can paddle midday without heat stroke risk. The variable December weather actually works in your favor - overcast days create moody bayou photography conditions. Plan for 2-3 hour paddles through protected waterways with minimal powerboat traffic.
Southdown Plantation and Museum Tours
December is ideal for the indoor-outdoor mix of plantation touring. The 70% humidity feels comfortable enough for the 0.8 km (0.5 mile) grounds walk, but you've got the museum buildings when drizzle hits. December typically features special exhibits on Cajun Christmas traditions and sugarcane harvest history that aren't up other months. The senator's home section and Mardi Gras exhibit are climate-controlled. Plan 90 minutes to 2 hours for thorough exploration.
Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum and Walking Tours
This downtown museum makes perfect sense for December's variable weather - you can duck inside when drizzle starts, then continue the self-guided downtown heritage walk when it clears. December means fewer crowds, so you can actually read exhibits without jostling. The working boat displays and shrimping history sections give context for what you're seeing on swamp tours. Pair with the 2.4 km (1.5 mile) downtown walking trail along Bayou Terrebonne for a half-day outing.
December Events & Festivals
Christmas on the Bayou
This has become the genuine December draw for Houma - over 200,000 lights along the downtown waterfront, lighted boat parade on Bayou Terrebonne, and actual Cajun holiday traditions mixed in rather than generic Christmas stuff. The bonfires on the levee are a south Louisiana tradition worth experiencing. Local food vendors set up with seasonal specialties. It's grown into a regional event but hasn't hit overwhelmed status yet.
Rougarou Fest Setup and Preparations
While the main Rougarou Fest happens in October, December is when you'll see locals building next year's sculptures and krewe members planning. If you're interested in the genuine cultural side of Cajun folklore rather than just tourist events, December conversations in local bars and community centers offer more authentic insight than festival day itself. Worth noting if you're a cultural traveler rather than event chaser.