01Weather
Barcelona weather in December
Afternoons in December average 15.8 °C (60 °F) and nights cool to 7.4 °C (45 °F). The month brings about 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain spread over roughly 3 days. Compared with November it is 2.8 °C cooler; January is 1.1 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 18 °C / 65 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 13 °C / 56 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 4 °C / 40 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 9 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 22.2 °C / 1.9 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:57 | 17:22 | 9.4 h |
| 15 December | 08:10 | 17:22 | 9.2 h |
| 31 December | 08:17 | 17:31 | 9.2 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Madrid).
03Crowds
How busy Barcelona is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Santa Llúcia Christmas market
- Constitution Day on 6 December
- New Year's Eve
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 6 Dec 2026 | Constitution Day |
| 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec 2026 | St. Stephen's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Barcelona in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cap d'Any | 31 December, Plaça d'Espanya | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Barcelona in December
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cool and mostly sunny, with afternoons around 14 °C, Christmas markets at Santa Llúcia by the cathedral and at the Sagrada Família, nativity scenes with the Catalan caganer figure and the Constitution and Immaculate Conception holidays on 6 and 8 December making a long weekend. Christmas Day and 26 December, Sant Esteve, are holidays in Catalonia. New Year's Eve at Plaça d'Espanya draws big crowds for the fountain show and fireworks.
Rain falls on about four days. The Fira de Reis on Gran Via sells toys before Epiphany. Hotel rates rise for the Christmas week and New Year. The Sagrada Família closes early on 24 and 31 December and is closed on 25 December and 1 January. For the quietest month and the Three Kings parade, see January.
09Compare
Barcelona month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15 °C | 6 °C | 4 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 16 °C | 8 °C | 4 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 17 °C | 9 °C | 4 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 19 °C | 11 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 22 °C | 15 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 27 °C | 20 °C | 3 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 29 °C | 22 °C | 2 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 30 °C | 23 °C | 4 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| September | 27 °C | 19 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 23 °C | 16 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 19 °C | 10 °C | 5 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| December | 16 °C | 7 °C | 3 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Barcelona.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| Rome in December | 14 °C | 10 |
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
| Lisbon in December | 16 °C | 9 |
| London in December | 8 °C | 11 |
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
11FAQ
Barcelona in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona?
December is a good month to visit Barcelona. Daytime highs average 16 °C (60 °F), rain falls on about 3 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Barcelona in December?
Expect cool days around 16 °C (60 °F) and nights near 7 °C (45 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 18 °C, and one in ten stays below 13 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Barcelona in December?
December brings about 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain over roughly 3 days, which is dry by Barcelona standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 9 percent.
What should I wear in Barcelona in December?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Barcelona crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Santa Llúcia Christmas market; Constitution Day on 6 December; New Year's Eve.
What time does it get dark in Barcelona in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 17:22 and rises at 08:10, giving 9.2 hours of daylight.