01Weather
Dublin weather in December
Afternoons in December average 9.4 °C (49 °F) and nights cool to 3.8 °C (39 °F). The month brings about 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain spread over roughly 14 days. Compared with November it is 1.6 °C cooler; January is 0.9 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 14 °C / 56 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 6 °C / 42 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -1 °C / 30 °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) | 4.9 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 45 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 17.2 °C / -4.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 08:17 | 16:10 | 7.9 h |
| 15 December | 08:34 | 16:06 | 7.5 h |
| 31 December | 08:40 | 16:15 | 7.6 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 18 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Dublin).
03Crowds
How busy Dublin is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Christmas shopping on Grafton Street
- 12 Pubs season
- New Year's Festival
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 Dublin in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Festival Dublin | 31 December | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Dublin in December
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold, damp and festive, with afternoons around 8 °C, Grafton Street carol singers, the 12 Pubs of Christmas crowds in Santa suits on the Fridays before Christmas and Christmas Eve a major night out. Everything closes on Christmas Day, including public transport, and St Stephen's Day on the 26th has racing at Leopardstown and the start of the sales. The New Year's Festival ends the year with concerts and a countdown.
Rain falls on about twelve days, and daylight is under eight hours. The Forty Foot Christmas Day swim at Sandycove draws hundreds. Hotel rates rise for the Christmas week and New Year's Eve. Museums close from 24 to 26 December. For TradFest and the cheapest month, see January.
09Compare
Dublin month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 °C | 3 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 10 °C | 3 °C | 13 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 11 °C | 4 °C | 12 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| April | 13 °C | 5 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 17 °C | 8 °C | 13 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 19 °C | 11 °C | 12 | – | busy | Good |
| July | 21 °C | 12 °C | 13 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 20 °C | 12 °C | 14 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 18 °C | 10 °C | 13 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 15 °C | 8 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 11 °C | 5 °C | 14 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 9 °C | 4 °C | 14 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Dublin.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| London in December | 8 °C | 11 |
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| Copenhagen in December | 6 °C | – |
| Prague in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Barcelona in December | 16 °C | 3 |
11FAQ
Dublin in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Dublin?
December is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Dublin. Daytime highs average 9 °C (49 °F), rain falls on about 14 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Dublin in December?
Expect cold days around 9 °C (49 °F) and nights near 4 °C (39 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 14 °C, and one in ten stays below 6 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Dublin in December?
December brings about 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain over roughly 14 days, which is showery by Dublin standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 45 percent.
What should I wear in Dublin in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Dublin crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Christmas shopping on Grafton Street; 12 Pubs season; New Year's Festival.
What time does it get dark in Dublin in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:06 and rises at 08:34, giving 7.5 hours of daylight.