01Weather
Los Angeles weather in December
Afternoons in December average 19.6 °C (67 °F) and nights cool to 10.6 °C (51 °F). The month brings about 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain spread over roughly 2 days. Compared with November it is 2.6 °C cooler; January is 0.4 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 25 °C / 77 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 16 °C / 60 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 8 °C / 46 °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 | 8 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 28.9 °C / 4.4 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 06:40 | 16:43 | 10.1 h |
| 15 December | 06:51 | 16:45 | 9.9 h |
| 31 December | 06:58 | 16:53 | 9.9 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Los_Angeles).
03Crowds
How busy Los Angeles is in December
busy The main sights are busy in December. What drives it:
- Christmas to New Year
- Rose Parade preparations
- holiday lights
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 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 Los Angeles in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade | December | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Los Angeles in December
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cool by LA standards, around 19 °C by day, with the rainy season starting on about five days and holiday lights from Rodeo Drive to the Grove and the Mission Inn in Riverside. The week between Christmas and New Year is busy, with the Rose Parade float viewing in Pasadena and the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Early December is calm. Snow on the mountains is visible after a storm.
The Marina del Rey boat parade and the LA Zoo Lights fill the evenings. Disneyland's holiday season is at its busiest in the final week. The ocean is cold at 16 °C. Daylight runs from about seven to half past four. For the Rose Parade and the awards season, see January.
09Compare
Los Angeles month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 °C | 10 °C | 1 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| February | 19 °C | 10 °C | 1 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| March | 19 °C | 12 °C | 1 | – | busy | Excellent |
| April | 21 °C | 14 °C | 1 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 21 °C | 15 °C | 0 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| June | 23 °C | 17 °C | 0 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 25 °C | 19 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 26 °C | 20 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 26 °C | 19 °C | 0 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 25 °C | 16 °C | 0 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 22 °C | 13 °C | 1 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| December | 20 °C | 11 °C | 2 | – | busy | Excellent |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Los Angeles.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas in December | 15 °C | 1 |
| San Francisco in December | 15 °C | 8 |
| Vancouver in December | 7 °C | 17 |
| Cancún in December | 28 °C | – |
| Toronto in December | 3 °C | 10 |
| Orlando in December | 23 °C | 2 |
11FAQ
Los Angeles in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Los Angeles?
December is one of the best months to visit Los Angeles. Daytime highs average 20 °C (67 °F), rain falls on about 2 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Los Angeles in December?
Expect mild days around 20 °C (67 °F) and nights near 11 °C (51 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 25 °C, and one in ten stays below 16 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Los Angeles in December?
December brings about 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain over roughly 2 days, which is dry by Los Angeles standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 8 percent.
What should I wear in Los Angeles in December?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes.
Is Los Angeles crowded in December?
The main sights are busy in December. Main drivers: Christmas to New Year; Rose Parade preparations; holiday lights.
What time does it get dark in Los Angeles in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:45 and rises at 06:51, giving 9.9 hours of daylight.