Quick answer: Umrah in December is one of the most comfortable times to go. Days in Makkah are warm rather than hot, and the evenings are pleasant for walking to the Haram. Madinah is cooler, and nights there can feel properly cold. The catch for UK families is timing. The December school holidays are busy, and in 2027 February half-term is expected to fall in Ramadan.
Checked in October 2026 against Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announcements, UK council term dates and long-term weather averages.
In this post
- What the weather is really like
- Crowds and prices in the school holidays
- What to pack for winter Umrah
- Umrah with children in the holidays
- FAQ
Umrah in December: what the weather is really like
Makkah is warm rather than hot in the day from December to February, usually in the low 30s °C, and cooler after Maghrib. You will still sweat in Tawaf at midday. Many pilgrims prefer the evenings for Tawaf and Sa'i.
Madinah is noticeably colder, especially late at night and before Fajr. The walk from the hotel to Masjid an-Nabawi for Fajr is when you feel it.
| Month | Makkah (day / night) | Madinah (day / night) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 33°C / 21°C | 26°C / 14°C |
| January | 31°C / 19°C | 24°C / 12°C |
| February | 33°C / 20°C | 27°C / 14°C |
Average daily highs and lows. Source: World Meteorological Organization climate averages for 1991 to 2020. Any single week can be warmer or colder.
Rain is not common, but winter is when it tends to fall. November to January are the wettest months in Makkah, though even then it usually rains on only a day or two a month. When it does rain, the courtyards get slippery and the roads can flood quickly.
Inside the mosques, buses and hotels, the air conditioning can make it feel cooler than outside.
For more on coping with the climate, read adjusting to the climate in Makkah: a guide for UK pilgrims.
Crowds and prices in the school holidays
Families with school-age children usually travel in the holidays. So can everyone else in the same position, which is why these weeks are busy.
The December school holidays make this month popular with UK and European families. Expect fuller hotels and flights, and book early. Package prices usually go up in these weeks, so compare a few licensed UK operators before you pay.
February half-term 2027 falls in Ramadan
February half-term 2027 is the big one to plan around. Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr expected around 9 or 10 March. The exact dates depend on the moon sighting. Most schools in England break for half-term from 15 to 19 February 2027, and some areas and many Welsh schools break the week before. Either way, half-term falls inside Ramadan. Check your own council's dates. That makes a half-term Umrah a Ramadan Umrah.
The Prophet ﷺ said that Umrah in Ramadan is equal in reward to Hajj (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782 and Sahih Muslim 1256). But the Haram is at its busiest, hotels near it cost more, and you will be fasting with children in tow. Read more in our guide to Umrah in Ramadan.
If you are an adult travelling without children, early to mid-January or the weeks after Eid al-Fitr are worth comparing. Our guide to the best time to perform Umrah for UK residents goes through each month.
You need an Umrah permit with a time slot in the Nusuk app all year round, not only in Ramadan, and it is separate from your visa. Permits can be harder to get at peak times, so book yours as soon as you know your dates. Check the latest rules on the official Nusuk site (nusuk.sa) before you travel.
What to pack for winter Umrah
Pack in layers. You will go from cool street to warm crowd to cold air conditioning in the same hour.
- A warm layer for Madinah. A fleece or jumper for men, a cardigan or warmer abaya for women.
- Thermal or thick socks. Marble floors are cold at Fajr.
- Something warm that is allowed in Ihram. Men in Ihram cannot wear a fitted jumper or jacket. You can wrap an extra unstitched sheet, shawl or plain blanket around your shoulders instead, as long as your head stays uncovered.
- A compact umbrella. For the odd downpour, and for shade at midday.
- Unscented lip balm and moisturiser. Winter air is dry, and in Ihram they must be unscented.
- Hats and gloves for children, for Madinah evenings.
Layers you take off need somewhere to go, and so do your shoes at the mosque door. Plan one small bag for valuables and one for shoes and water. You can see our secure bags and shoe bags in the Hajj Safe essentials collection.
Hajj & Umrah Bag for Women (black)
Three zipped pockets for phone, money and passport. Worn over or under the abaya, so a cardigan underneath is no problem.
Free: the Hajj Safe packing checklist
A 4-page printable checklist of what to pack and what to do before you fly. Tick it off as you pack your winter layers.
Umrah with children in the holidays
Children often love the Haram, but crowds and late nights are hard on them. A few things help.
- Choose your Tawaf floor. Pushchairs are not allowed on the ground floor around the Kaaba (the mataf), so use a baby carrier there. They are usually allowed on the upper Tawaf floors and in the Safa and Marwah area, which are calmer for small legs too. Staff can stop them at any time when it is busy.
- Put a wristband or card on each child with your phone number and hotel name.
- Agree a meeting point you can all recognise, such as a numbered gate.
- Go when they are rested, not straight after a long day of sightseeing.
- Talk it through at home first. Our free Hajj and Umrah printables for children include seven PDFs, among them a colouring map of the steps and simple duas. It is a digital download you print at home.
A child's Umrah is valid and rewarded, and so are the parents who help them, but it does not replace the obligatory Umrah they may make as an adult. Parents make the intention for very young children. This is based on the hadith in Sahih Muslim 1336 about a child's Hajj.
For the Madinah part of the trip, read our tips for visiting Madinah with children.
FAQ
Is Umrah in December a good idea?
Yes, for the weather. Just book early if you are going in the December school holidays.
Do I need a coat for Umrah in winter?
A heavy coat is rarely needed. A warm fleece, cardigan or shawl for Madinah evenings usually is.
Does February half-term 2027 fall in Ramadan?
Yes, it is expected to. Ramadan is expected to start around 8 February 2027, and half-term in England and Wales falls between 8 and 19 February depending on where you live. Check the dates once Ramadan is confirmed.
Does it rain in Makkah in winter?
Sometimes. Winter is when rain is most likely. Pack a compact umbrella and take care on wet marble floors.
Shop this post
Hajj & Umrah Bag for Men (black)
A neck or side bag with three zipped pockets, made to be worn in Ihram.
Shoe & Prayer Mat Travel Bag (black)
Shoes, a compact prayer mat and a water bottle in one drawstring bag.
Free Hajj and Umrah Printables for Kids
Seven printable PDFs to prepare children before you fly.