Best December Trips from Dallas: Nonstop Flights to Snow, Sun & Holiday Magic

December from Dallas means one thing: options. You can chase holiday magic in cities draped with lights, thaw out on Caribbean beaches, or hit fresh powder in the Rockies—all on nonstop flights under 4 hours. We've mapped out the best December escapes from DFW and Love Field, complete with typical prices, flight times, and what makes each destination worth your PTO.

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Winter Sun & Beach Escapes

Skip the space heater. These destinations deliver guaranteed warmth, and they're all under 4 hours nonstop from DFW.

Cancún, Mexico

Flight time: 2h 45m nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American, United, Spirit, Frontier
Typical December price: $250–$400 roundtrip
Weather: 80°F, dry season begins

December marks the start of Cancún's peak season—and for good reason. Hurricane season is over, humidity drops, and you're looking at consistent sunshine. Hotel Zone beaches are pristine, and the cenotes near Tulum are refreshingly cool. Book accommodations early; this is high season and prices reflect it.

Pro tip: Fly out December 1–15 for better pricing before the holiday rush. Read our complete DFW to Cancún flight guide for booking strategies.

Miami, Florida

Flight time: 3h nonstop from DFW or Love Field
Airlines: American (DFW), Southwest (DAL)
Typical December price: $150–$280 roundtrip
Weather: 75°F, low humidity

Miami in December is the sweet spot—warm enough for the beach, cool enough for Art Basel and outdoor dining in Wynwood. South Beach isn't as brutally hot as summer, and you can actually enjoy walking the Art Deco district. Love Field often has competitive fares on Southwest if you're flexible with dates.

Check our Dallas to Miami flights page for current deals.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Flight time: 4h nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American, JetBlue, Spirit
Typical December price: $300–$450 roundtrip
Weather: 82°F, occasional brief showers

No passport needed, no currency exchange, and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Old San Juan is magical at night with holiday lights strung across the cobblestone streets. December is technically "rainy season," but showers are short and usually hit in the afternoon. El Yunque rainforest is lush this time of year.

Aruba

Flight time: 4h 30m nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American
Typical December price: $450–$600 roundtrip
Weather: 84°F, virtually no rain

Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, so December weather is essentially guaranteed. Eagle Beach consistently ranks among the world's best, and the island's small size means you can explore everything in a week. Prices are higher than other Caribbean spots, but the reliability is worth it if you're escaping Dallas cold for sure.

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Holiday Magic & City Lights

If you want the full holiday experience—markets, lights, ice skating, hot chocolate—these cities deliver. All have multiple daily nonstops from DFW.

New York City

Flight time: 3h 30m nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Typical December price: $180–$350 roundtrip
Weather: 35–45°F, possible snow

The Rockefeller tree, Dyker Heights lights, holiday windows on Fifth Avenue, ice skating in Central Park—NYC in December is a cliché because it delivers. Yes, it's crowded. Yes, it's cold. But if you've never done a December trip to New York, it's worth experiencing once. Broadway shows have holiday-themed performances, and the Union Square Holiday Market runs through Christmas Eve.

See our DFW to NYC flight guide for the best booking windows.

Chicago

Flight time: 2h 30m nonstop from DFW or Love Field
Airlines: American, United, Southwest, Spirit
Typical December price: $120–$250 roundtrip
Weather: 25–35°F, often snowy

Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza is one of the best German-style Christmas markets in the country. The Magnificent Mile lights up, and the Chicago Architecture Foundation offers holiday-themed tours. It's genuinely cold—pack layers—but that's part of the charm. Flights are often cheaper than NYC, and Love Field routes on Southwest can be solid values.

Check our Dallas to Chicago flights page for current pricing.

Boston

Flight time: 3h 45m nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American, JetBlue
Typical December price: $200–$350 roundtrip
Weather: 30–40°F, possible snow

Boston Pops holiday concerts, the Frog Pond ice rink on Boston Common, Faneuil Hall decorations, and some of the best seafood you'll find anywhere. It's a smaller, more walkable city than New York with similar holiday energy. The Freedom Trail takes on a different character with snow on the ground.

Ski & Mountain Escapes

December means early season conditions at most resorts—not always full coverage, but fewer crowds and better prices than January and February. These destinations put you on the slopes within hours of landing.

Denver (Gateway to Colorado Ski Resorts)

Flight time: 2h nonstop from DFW or Love Field
Airlines: American, United, Southwest, Frontier
Typical December price: $100–$200 roundtrip
Weather: 20–45°F in Denver; colder at elevation

Denver is your gateway to Vail (1h 40m drive), Breckenridge (1h 30m), Keystone (1h 30m), and Winter Park (1h 30m). December is early season, so check snow reports—but prices on flights and lodging are significantly lower than peak season in February. Southwest runs frequent Love Field routes, often with good last-minute availability.

Salt Lake City (Utah Ski Country)

Flight time: 2h 45m nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American, Delta
Typical December price: $150–$280 roundtrip
Weather: 25–40°F in city; teens at resorts

Utah's "Greatest Snow on Earth" claim isn't just marketing—the powder here is consistently lighter and drier than Colorado. Park City is 35 minutes from SLC airport, and you can hit multiple resorts (Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird, Alta) in a single trip. December brings reliable early-season snow at higher elevations.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Flight time: 3h nonstop from DFW (seasonal)
Airlines: American
Typical December price: $350–$500 roundtrip
Weather: 15–30°F

Jackson Hole is for serious skiers—steep terrain, deep snow, and a town square with elk antler arches. The nonstop from DFW is seasonal (December through March), so availability matters. It's pricier than Denver or Salt Lake, but the resort is genuinely world-class. December offers better deals than the February crowds.

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International Adventures

December is shoulder season in Europe (cold but fewer tourists) and peak season in the Southern Hemisphere (summer weather). DFW has excellent nonstop options for both.

London, England

Flight time: 9h 30m nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American, British Airways
Typical December price: $500–$750 roundtrip
Weather: 40–50°F, often rainy

London at Christmas is legitimately special—Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, the Harrods food hall, West End shows, and actual history behind every corner. The weather is grey and damp, but pub culture exists for a reason. Fly in early December before prices spike for the holidays.

See our DFW to London flight guide for the best deals.

Paris, France

Flight time: 10h nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American
Typical December price: $550–$800 roundtrip
Weather: 35–45°F, occasional rain

The Champs-Élysées Christmas market, Galeries Lafayette light show, and fewer tourists than summer make December Paris genuinely romantic. Yes, it's cold—but you're in Paris. Warm up in a café. The Louvre has shorter lines, and restaurant reservations are easier to get.

Check our Dallas to Paris flights page for booking tips.

Rome, Italy

Flight time: 11h nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American
Typical December price: $550–$850 roundtrip
Weather: 45–55°F, some rain

Rome without the summer crowds is a different experience entirely. You can actually see the Sistine Chapel without being crushed. Piazza Navona hosts a Christmas market, and the Vatican has special holiday ceremonies. Weather is mild by European standards—pack a jacket, not a parka.

Our DFW to Rome guide covers the best booking strategies.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Flight time: 10h 30m nonstop from DFW
Airlines: American
Typical December price: $700–$1,000 roundtrip
Weather: 75–85°F (summer)

Flip the seasons—December in Buenos Aires is summer. The city comes alive with outdoor dining in Palermo, tango shows, and incredible steak at prices that still feel reasonable despite recent economic shifts. It's also a gateway to Patagonia if you want to extend the trip. The nonstop from DFW makes this genuinely accessible.

December Booking Strategy

December pricing follows predictable patterns:

• December 1–15: Generally affordable. Most people are still working, and Thanksgiving travel has cleared out.
• December 16–23: Prices climb as schools let out and holiday travel ramps up.
• December 24–26: Peak pricing on most routes. Book 6–8 weeks out minimum.
• December 27–31: Mixed—some routes drop after Christmas, others spike for NYE destinations.

For the best deals, target early December departures or the awkward window between Christmas and New Year's when prices sometimes dip. Check our complete booking guide for more timing strategies.

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Quick Reference: December Nonstops from DFW

Bottom Line

December travel from Dallas comes down to what you're after. Want guaranteed warmth? Cancún and Miami are your safest bets. Craving holiday atmosphere? NYC and Chicago deliver. Looking to ski without breaking the bank? Denver in early December is hard to beat. And if you're flexible on dates, Europe offers genuine value when you avoid the Christmas week surge.

Whatever you choose, book early and watch prices. December deals exist—they just require timing. That's exactly what our deals page and trip alerts are built for.

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