01Weather
London weather in December
Afternoons in December average 8.2 °C (47 °F) and nights cool to 4.3 °C (40 °F). The month brings about 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain spread over roughly 11 days. Compared with November it is 2.1 °C cooler; January is 1.5 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 12 °C / 54 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 4 °C / 39 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 32 °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) | 2.9 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 36 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 14.6 °C / -5.6 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:43 | 15:55 | 8.2 h |
| 15 December | 07:59 | 15:51 | 7.9 h |
| 31 December | 08:06 | 16:00 | 7.9 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 18 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/London).
03Crowds
How busy London is in December
busy The main sights are busy in December. What drives it:
- Christmas shopping and markets
- theatre season peaks
- New Year's Eve fireworks
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| 28 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 London in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve fireworks | 31 December on the Thames, ticketed viewing areas | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for London 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 festive and busy, especially the last two weeks. Christmas markets, ice rinks and department-store windows draw big crowds at weekends, and theatres run two shows a day with pantomimes for families. Most attractions close on Christmas Day, when the Tube, buses and trains also stop entirely; Boxing Day on the 26th has limited transport and the start of the sales, with queues outside Selfridges and Harrods from early morning.
New Year's Eve fireworks on the Thames require a ticket, sold in autumn, and the viewing areas close hours ahead. Daylight lasts under eight hours, with sunset before four all month. Afternoon temperatures hover around 8 °C with frost on a handful of mornings; snow is rare. Hotel rates are high from mid-December to New Year and drop sharply from 2 January. The first week of December is the calm window: lights on, markets open, but the crowds still at work.
09Compare
London month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 2 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 9 °C | 4 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 11 °C | 4 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 14 °C | 5 °C | 7 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 17 °C | 8 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 21 °C | 12 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 22 °C | 14 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 22 °C | 14 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 19 °C | 12 °C | 7 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 15 °C | 9 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 6 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 8 °C | 4 °C | 11 | – | busy | Mixed |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit London.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
| Dublin in December | 9 °C | 14 |
| Copenhagen in December | 6 °C | – |
| Prague in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
11FAQ
London in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit London?
December is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit London. Daytime highs average 8 °C (47 °F), rain falls on about 11 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in London in December?
Expect cold days around 8 °C (47 °F) and nights near 4 °C (40 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 12 °C, and one in ten stays below 4 °C.
Does it rain a lot in London in December?
December brings about 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain over roughly 11 days, which is showery by London standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 36 percent.
What should I wear in London in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is London crowded in December?
The main sights are busy in December. Main drivers: Christmas shopping and markets; theatre season peaks; New Year's Eve fireworks.
What time does it get dark in London in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 15:51 and rises at 07:59, giving 7.9 hours of daylight.