December in Anuradhapura averages 29C by day and 23C at night, with 174 mm of rain over about 19 wet days. It is the 3rd wettest month of the year. Unduvap Poya early in the month connects directly to Anuradhapura's own founding story, worth timing a visit around if dates align.
What to Expect
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 29C by day, 23C at night |
| Rainfall | 174 mm, about 19 wet days |
Averages for 2015 to 2024 from the Open-Meteo weather archive.
Events and Festivals
- Unduvap Poya (early December, marks the arrival of Sangamitta Theri with the Bodhi tree sapling - especially relevant to Anuradhapura's own history)
- Christmas and New Year holiday season (late December, foreign arrivals increase)
What to Do This Season
- Unduvap Poya ceremonies at Sri Maha Bodhi tie directly to the site's founding story
- Clearer skies return in the second half of the month for cycling and photography
What to Watch Out For
- Early December can still bring heavy monsoon tail rain
- Late December prices and bookings rise fast with the holiday rush
What to Wear
Light cotton for daytime with a rain layer early in the month, dropping as skies clear by late December.
Is It Worth Visiting Now?
Check the weather forecast before deciding.
More on Anuradhapura
Flexible on dates? Compare Anuradhapura in November and Anuradhapura in January. The best time to visit Anuradhapura sets all twelve months side by side. For what is open and worth it, see the things to do in Anuradhapura. The main Anuradhapura page covers costs and transport.
We plan trips to Anuradhapura and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.