Delhi · Month comparison

December vs October

October ranks #1 overall vs December at #4. Delhi's golden month — Dussehra and Diwali make October the greatest festival window in the world

Old Delhi streets in winter fog with chai vendors and rickshaws

December

#4 of 12 months

Strong option

Festive Delhi in cool winter — Christmas markets at Connaught Place and good sightseeing weather

  • Pleasant 5–20°C days comfortable for all-day exploration with layers
  • Christmas and New Year atmosphere around Khan Market and Connaught Place
Diwali lights illuminating Delhi streets and rooftops

October

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Delhi's golden month — Dussehra and Diwali make October the greatest festival window in the world

  • Dussehra: giant burning Ravana effigies light up the night sky across the city
  • Diwali: every rooftop, street and temple blazes with diyas and fireworks
FactorDecemberOctober
Weather score
6
8
Value score
5
5
Crowd score
6
7
Events score
5
9
Atmosphere
7
9
Avg high temp22°C32°C
Monthly rain11mm19mm
Daily sunshine8.5hrs9.5hrs

December trade-offs

  • Morning fog and smog events possible — particularly in the last week of December
  • Cold nights (4–7°C) require proper winter clothing, especially outside the city centre

October trade-offs

  • Festival dates drive hotel prices to annual high — book 3–4 months ahead
  • Post-Diwali air quality drops sharply as firework smoke combines with stubble burning
Scores compare months within Delhi. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →