SeasonMapMatera (Sassi) weather in December
Italy
December in Matera: cool, a little rain, with clean air — a great time to visit.
#11 of 12 months in Matera · #669 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 72/100 (tier B)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Matera in December
No notes yet. Open Matera on the map to add the first one.
Matera climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 13°C / 56°F | 🙂 cool |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 6°C / 42°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 11°C / 52°F | |
| Rainfall | 41 mm / 1.6 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 7 days | |
| Humidity | 81% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 6°C / 43°F | |
| Sunshine | 6.9 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.3 h | |
| Wind | 15 km/h / 9 mph | |
| Snowfall | 0.2 cm / 0.1 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 33 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Matera in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsLiving nativity in the caves, Christmas holidays in Italy, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Matera's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherMatera's best weather comes in May, September and October — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Matera in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Festival
Living nativity in the caves
20 Dec – 6 Jan · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedThe cave quarters are used as a nativity set over the holidays, which is the one time of year the Sassi are properly lit at night. Dress for stone: the caves hold the cold as well as the heat. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Matera — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Matera?
Matera in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Matera?
- December in Matera: cool, a little rain, with clean air — a great time to visit. It ranks #11 of 12 months for Matera on SeasonMap's comfort score (72/100).
- What is the weather like in Matera in December?
- In December, Matera averages a daily high of 13.1°C and a low of 5.8°C, with about 41 mm of rain over roughly 6.9 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Matera in December?
- Matera has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in December.
Other months in Matera
Warmer or cooler than Matera in December
Similar destinations in Southern Europe — December
Within 300 km: Sorrento's Christmas lights and markets on 25 Nov – 6 Jan, and Naples' Crib season, San Gregorio Armeno on 1 Nov – 6 Jan.