01Weather
Lisbon weather in December
Afternoons in December average 15.9 °C (61 °F) and nights cool to 10.5 °C (51 °F). The month brings about 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with November it is 2.4 °C cooler; January is 0.3 °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) | 14 °C / 57 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 7 °C / 45 °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 | 31 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 20.4 °C / 5.8 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:35 | 17:15 | 9.7 h |
| 15 December | 07:47 | 17:15 | 9.5 h |
| 31 December | 07:54 | 17:24 | 9.5 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Lisbon).
03Crowds
How busy Lisbon is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Christmas lights
- Restoration of Independence on 1 December
- New Year's Eve at Praça do Comércio
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Dec 2026 | Restoration of Independence |
| 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas 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 Lisbon in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve at Praça do Comércio | 31 December, fireworks on the Tagus | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Lisbon in December
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant 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 mild and festive, with afternoons around 15 °C, Christmas lights along the Avenida da Liberdade and in the Baixa, the Restoration of Independence holiday on 1 December, the Immaculate Conception on 8 December and New Year's Eve fireworks over the Tagus at Praça do Comércio with a free concert. The week between Christmas and New Year is busy; early December is calm and good value. Rain falls on about nine days.
Christmas Eve is the family dinner with bacalhau; the 25th is quiet with most restaurants closed. The Wonderland market and the Baixa ice rink run all month. Sintra's palaces are decorated and quiet. Daylight is under nine and a half hours. For the quietest, cheapest month, see January.
09Compare
Lisbon month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16 °C | 9 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 17 °C | 10 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 18 °C | 11 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| April | 21 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 24 °C | 15 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 26 °C | 17 °C | 3 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 28 °C | 19 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 29 °C | 19 °C | 1 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 27 °C | 18 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 24 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 13 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| December | 16 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Lisbon.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona in December | 16 °C | 3 |
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| London in December | 8 °C | 11 |
| Dublin in December | 9 °C | 14 |
| Rome in December | 14 °C | 10 |
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
11FAQ
Lisbon in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Lisbon?
December is a good month to visit Lisbon. Daytime highs average 16 °C (61 °F), rain falls on about 9 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Lisbon in December?
Expect cool days around 16 °C (61 °F) and nights near 10 °C (51 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 18 °C, and one in ten stays below 14 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Lisbon in December?
December brings about 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is showery by Lisbon standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 31 percent.
What should I wear in Lisbon in December?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Lisbon crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Christmas lights; Restoration of Independence on 1 December; New Year's Eve at Praça do Comércio.
What time does it get dark in Lisbon in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 17:15 and rises at 07:47, giving 9.5 hours of daylight.