★★★
Budget
Holiday Inn NEW ORLEANS-DOWNTOWN SUPERDOME by IHG
From $84 / night
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Things to Do in Houma in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Houma
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
67°F (19°C)
High Temp
51°F (11°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Crisp air and clear skies sharpen the bayou reflections to mirror-perfect clarity along Bayou Terrebonne. The 6 AM fog lift is when the water turns to liquid mercury, giving photographers their best window before the day stirs the surface.
- + December marks oyster season's peak, so roadside stands between Houma and Cocodrie sell sacks of Gulf oysters that were still in the water that morning. Locals hoard these while most tourists drive right past, missing the day's freshest catch entirely.
- + Mosquito counts plummet once nighttime temps drop to 13°C (55°F), letting you sit outside at the waterfront bars on Barrow Street without becoming the evening's main course.
- + Holiday decorations along Main Street remain up through New Year's, but crowds thin dramatically after December 15th. You get that small-town Christmas feeling without fighting shoulder-to-shoulder conditions.
Considerations
- − December kicks off duck hunting season, so shotgun echoes start at 5:30 AM across Terrebonne Parish. Light sleepers should book rooms away from the bayou edges if they want to avoid the dawn chorus.
- − Some swamp tour operators switch to reduced winter schedules after December 20th, dropping the 8 AM departure to a single daily run at 10 AM.
- − The humidity might register 70% but cuts bone-cold when wind sweeps across the water. It's that damp chill that settles in your joints even when the thermometer reads 17°C (63°F).
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Swamp airboat tours through Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge
December brings migratory waterfowl that transform the cypress swamps into an aviary. You'll spot white pelicans in flocks of 200+ and the occasional bald eagle. Cooler weather keeps alligators closer to the surface for warmth, making sightings more reliable than summer. Morning tours kick off around 9 AM when fog lifts and bird activity peaks.
Booking Tip: Book 48 hours ahead through licensed operators (see current options in booking section below). December duck hunters snap up weekend slots early. But weekdays stay open for the taking.
Downtown Houma food crawls focusing on Cajun Christmas traditions
December is when restaurants roll out their boucherie plates - blood sausage, cracklins, and head cheese that vanishes after New Year's. Cool weather plus holiday cooking means places like Big Al's Seafood (operating since 1982) keep their wood-fired grills burning all day. The hickory smoke drifting through the air will guide you by scent alone.
Booking Tip: Most crawls run 11 AM to 3 PM - perfect timing to dodge afternoon showers and catch lunch specials. Seek guides who grew up here and know which grandmothers are cooking that week.
Bayou Lafourche kayak tours through Christmas-decorated fishing camps
December's low rainfall slows and clears the bayou. You can see 2 meters (6.6 feet) down in spots. Fishing camps string Christmas lights that reflect off the black water like constellations. It's quiet enough to hear shrimp jumping and the splash of nutria tails.
Booking Tip: Morning tours (8-11 AM) catch the best light and calmest water. Book through local outfitters who provide dry bags - December humidity dampens everything even without rain.
Terrebonne Parish marshland photography expeditions
December's 10 rainy days usually deliver brief showers followed by intense golden hour light. This turns the marsh grass copper and makes every photo look filtered. Shorter days (sunset around 5:15 PM) compress shooting windows. But the low angle stays dramatic through most of the afternoon.
Booking Tip: Photography tours typically run 2 PM to 6 PM to catch the golden marsh light. Local guides know which levees stay accessible after rain - check conditions day-of.
Cajun dance hall nights with live zydeco
December weather drives locals indoors to places like the Jolly Inn, where the dance floor heats up fast despite 11°C (52°F) outside. The humidity makes accordion reeds sound richer - there's a reason zydeco recordings from here carry that distinctive swampy edge.
Booking Tip: No reservations needed for dance halls - just show up after 8 PM when the second band starts. Dress in layers - you'll be sweating by the third song despite the cold walk in.
Where to Stay in Houma in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★
Budget
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Canal St. French Quarter
From $109 / night
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December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Second Saturday of December
Houma Christmas parade
Floats built by local shrimpers and oil workers wind through downtown on the second Saturday of December. Expect throws of plastic crawfish and moon pies instead of generic beads. The parade route passes historic homes decorated with fishing nets and crab traps spray-painted gold.
December 23rd
Bonfire on the Bayou
One massive bonfire built from storm-fallen cypress lights up the bayou edge near the downtown boat launch. Locals bring gumbo pots and a pickup band plays until the last log burns around midnight.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Houma Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best oyster happy hour runs 3-5 PM at Black's, not because of prices but because that's when the morning catch comes off the boats. They'll shuck them fresh instead of serving the morning batch.
If you hear accordion music drifting across the bayou around 4 PM, follow it. Someone's having a backyard jam session that'll probably feed you too.
Local gas stations sell the best boudin links - look for handwritten signs on butcher paper. The Chevron on Tunnel Boulevard has been using the same family recipe since 1978.
December duck hunting means you'll see airboats with Christmas lights mounted on the bow. It's how hunters spot each other in the dark, and it's oddly beautiful from shore.
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to do swamp tours in the afternoon - December's brief rain showers hit around 2-3 PM and turn boat rides into cold, wet misery.
Booking a hotel too far from downtown - December fog rolls in thick and fast, making the 15-minute drive from the interstate feel like an hour.
Many travelers assume Cajun food always means fiery heat. Yet December menus lean on clove and allspice for warmth, swapping the cayenne punch most visitors expect for gentler, wintry notes.
Book Experiences in Houma
Top-rated things to do in Houma this December
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