Dakar in December: Dry Season, Holidays and a Week on the Ground

Dakar in December sits squarely in the dry season, with clear skies and milder temperatures than during the rainy months, while the city eases into the end of year holidays. In 2026, the month also overlaps with the close of the Dak'Art Biennale, announced by organisers from November 19 to December 19, under the theme "(Anti)fragility." Enough to build a week of visits that mixes the coast, the city and art, with a possible stop in Point E, at Ge'eza, for an Ethiopian meal and a turn through the gallery.

A pleasant dry season for visiting

December falls right in the middle of Senegal's dry season, which generally runs from November to May. The air is less humid than during the rainy hivernage, showers are rare, and the days stay warm without the heavier heat of some summer months. That makes it a popular time for visitors on a one-week trip, whether for work, a conference, or a straightforward holiday, since mild weather leaves plenty of room for outdoor time, from the Corniche to a restaurant terrace.

Dak'Art 2026 in the background

For art lovers passing through Dakar in December 2026, the calendar overlaps with the final weeks of the 16th Dakar Biennale, announced by organisers from November 19 to December 19, under the theme "(Anti)fragility." The official international exhibition and the many events running alongside it across the city set the pace for part of the month. Our article on Dak'Art 2026 covers what to know before planning around it. A stop at Ge'eza's gallery, in Point E, rounds out a day given over to art in the capital, outside the Biennale's own venues.

The holiday season across the city

December also carries the end of year holidays: Christmas, a public holiday in Senegal despite the country's Muslim majority, followed by the run-up to New Year. The city keeps its usual pace through most of the month, with a noticeable slowdown around December 25 and the final days of the year, when some shops and offices close or cut their hours. For a visitor, that means checking the opening hours of any place on the itinerary before heading there during that particular stretch, since public holidays are not always covered by the hours posted under normal circumstances.

Building a week in Dakar

For a full week, it helps to spread the days across different kinds of visits rather than packing everything into one neighbourhood. Our 48 hours in Dakar itinerary gives a base for the first two days, covering downtown, the markets and a trip to Gorée or the Corniche. The rest of the week can build around the Biennale if it is still running, one or two gallery visits, and quieter time by the sea or on a terrace.

A stop in Point E

For anyone staying or working near Point E, a stop at Ge'eza covers several needs in one address: an Ethiopian meal, a walk through the gallery, and, to extend the visit, a coffee ceremony at 7,000 F per person. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm, closed on Mondays, the same hours as the gallery and the concept store. For December's public holidays, it is best to check opening hours on WhatsApp at +221 78 660 07 07 before heading over, since hours for those particular days are not published online.

Getting around during the month

December remains a month of heavy traffic in Dakar, especially in the late afternoon, with the extra activity of the holiday season sometimes slowing certain routes further. For a week-long programme, it helps to build in some margin between appointments rather than scheduling them too tightly, especially when moving between neighbourhoods as far apart as the Plateau and Point E.

Light and colour across the month

The dry season gives Dakar a particular quality of light, useful for anyone who enjoys photographing the city or simply sitting on a terrace at the end of the day: the sky stays clear most of the time, and sunset along the Corniche often draws visitors in the late afternoon. December also ranks among the more comfortable months for walking around certain neighbourhoods, since the heat stays easier to handle than later in the dry season, around February or March.

Booking before coming

For lunch or dinner at Ge'eza during a December trip, tables can be booked on the reservation page, particularly useful in the evening and on weekends, when tables fill up faster. For groups of more than eight, a WhatsApp message alongside the form helps the team prepare the space.