01Weather
Budapest weather in December
Afternoons in December average 5.0 °C (41 °F) and nights cool to -0.1 °C (32 °F). The month brings about 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with November it is 4.6 °C cooler; January is 1.0 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 10 °C / 50 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 33 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -5 °C / 24 °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) | 14.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 28 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 16.5 °C / -11.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:10 | 15:54 | 8.7 h |
| 15 December | 07:24 | 15:53 | 8.5 h |
| 31 December | 07:31 | 16:02 | 8.5 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Budapest).
03Crowds
How busy Budapest is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Christmas markets at Vörösmarty Square and the Basilica
- New Year's Eve
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 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 Budapest in December
No major recurring events fall in December.
07Packing
What to pack for Budapest in December
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 14 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold and festive, with afternoons around 3 °C, the Christmas markets at Vörösmarty Square and the Basilica, mulled wine, chimney cakes, ice skating in the City Park rink and the thermal baths at their most atmospheric with steam over the outdoor pools. Christmas Eve closes most restaurants early, and 25 and 26 December are holidays with shops shut. New Year's Eve is loud, with fireworks along the river and the Opera's traditional performance of Die Fledermaus.
Snow falls on a few days. Hotel rates rise for the Christmas week and New Year. The markets run to 1 January. The Széchenyi bath's New Year's Eve party sells out. Daylight is under nine hours. For the cheapest month and the ball season, see January.
09Compare
Budapest month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -2 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 8 °C | 0 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 13 °C | 3 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 18 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 22 °C | 11 °C | 12 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 28 °C | 16 °C | 11 | – | busy | Good |
| July | 29 °C | 18 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 29 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 24 °C | 13 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 17 °C | 8 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| November | 10 °C | 3 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| December | 5 °C | 0 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Budapest.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Prague in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
| Rome in December | 14 °C | 10 |
| Copenhagen in December | 6 °C | – |
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
11FAQ
Budapest in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Budapest?
December is a good month to visit Budapest. Daytime highs average 5 °C (41 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Budapest in December?
Expect cold days around 5 °C (41 °F) and nights near -0 °C (32 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 10 °C, and one in ten stays below 0 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Budapest in December?
December brings about 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by Budapest standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 28 percent.
What should I wear in Budapest in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Budapest crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Christmas markets at Vörösmarty Square and the Basilica; New Year's Eve.
What time does it get dark in Budapest in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 15:53 and rises at 07:24, giving 8.5 hours of daylight.