01Weather
Melbourne weather in December
Afternoons in December average 25.4 °C (78 °F) and nights cool to 13.3 °C (56 °F). The month brings about 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with November it is 2.6 °C warmer; January is 2.5 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 34 °C / 93 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 19 °C / 66 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 9 °C / 49 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 7.0 | 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 | 25 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 44.4 °C / 6.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 05:51 | 20:26 | 14.6 h |
| 15 December | 05:52 | 20:38 | 14.8 h |
| 31 December | 06:01 | 20:45 | 14.7 h |
Daylight grows by about 6 minutes over the month. Times are local (Australia/Melbourne).
03Crowds
How busy Melbourne is in December
busy The main sights are busy in December. What drives it:
- Boxing Day Test at the MCG
- Christmas
- summer holidays begin
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 Melbourne in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing Day Test | 26 December, MCG | sport |
07Packing
What to pack for Melbourne in December
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 7 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is early summer, warm and busy, with afternoons around 25 °C, Christmas, school holidays from mid-month and the Boxing Day Test at the MCG drawing 90,000 on the first day. Heat waves are possible. New Year's Eve fireworks over the Yarra and the city close the year with a family show at half past nine and the midnight display. Book early for the final week. Rain falls on about seven days.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays with reduced transport; the Boxing Day sales start at Bourke Street at dawn. The Myer Christmas windows on Bourke Street run from November. The Carols by Candlelight at the Music Bowl on Christmas Eve is televised nationally. Daylight lasts until nearly nine. For high summer and the Australian Open, see January.
09Compare
Melbourne month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 °C | 16 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| February | 27 °C | 15 °C | 5 | – | busy | Excellent |
| March | 25 °C | 14 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| April | 21 °C | 11 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 17 °C | 9 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| June | 14 °C | 7 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 14 °C | 6 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Good |
| August | 15 °C | 7 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Good |
| September | 18 °C | 8 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 20 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| November | 23 °C | 12 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| December | 25 °C | 13 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Melbourne.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney in December | 28 °C | 8 |
| Singapore in December | 31 °C | 16 |
| Bangkok in December | 33 °C | – |
| Shanghai in December | 12 °C | 8 |
| Kyoto in December | 12 °C | 7 |
| Tokyo in December | 12 °C | 6 |
11FAQ
Melbourne in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Melbourne?
December is one of the best months to visit Melbourne. Daytime highs average 25 °C (78 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Melbourne in December?
Expect warm days around 25 °C (78 °F) and nights near 13 °C (56 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 34 °C, and one in ten stays below 19 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in December?
December brings about 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by Melbourne standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 25 percent.
What should I wear in Melbourne in December?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Melbourne crowded in December?
The main sights are busy in December. Main drivers: Boxing Day Test at the MCG; Christmas; summer holidays begin.
What time does it get dark in Melbourne in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 20:38 and rises at 05:52, giving 14.8 hours of daylight.