01Weather
New York City weather in December
Afternoons in December average 7.5 °C (46 °F) and nights cool to 1.4 °C (35 °F). The month brings about 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with November it is 5.8 °C cooler; January is 2.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 13 °C / 56 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 2 °C / 36 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -4 °C / 25 °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) | 11.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 2.4 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 31 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 17.9 °C / -12.9 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:00 | 16:29 | 9.5 h |
| 15 December | 07:12 | 16:29 | 9.3 h |
| 31 December | 07:19 | 16:38 | 9.3 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/New_York).
03Crowds
How busy New York City is in December
very busy The main sights are very busy in December. What drives it:
- Rockefeller tree
- Christmas week
- New Year's Eve in Times Square
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 New York City in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rockefeller Center tree lighting | late November or early December | seasonal |
| New Year's Eve ball drop | 31 December, Times Square | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for New York City 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
- gloves: frost on about 11 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is the most expensive month, especially the last ten days, with afternoons around 7 °C, the Rockefeller tree, the Rockettes at Radio City, the holiday windows on Fifth Avenue and New Year's Eve in Times Square, where crowds stand for twelve hours in the cold without toilets. Early December is manageable. Expect temperatures near freezing and possible snow; rain or snow falls on about ten days.
The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center and the Dyker Heights Christmas lights in Brooklyn fill the evenings. Christmas Day closes most museums; the subway runs. Hanukkah brings the Menorah lighting at Grand Army Plaza. Hotel rates triple for New Year's Eve. For the cheapest weeks of the year and Broadway Week, see January.
09Compare
New York City month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 °C | -1 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| February | 8 °C | 1 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 11 °C | 3 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 16 °C | 8 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 22 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 27 °C | 19 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 31 °C | 23 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| August | 29 °C | 22 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| September | 26 °C | 19 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 13 °C | 7 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 13 °C | 6 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| December | 8 °C | 1 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Off-season |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit New York City.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto in December | 3 °C | 10 |
| Orlando in December | 23 °C | 2 |
| Miami in December | 26 °C | 6 |
| Cancún in December | 28 °C | – |
| Las Vegas in December | 15 °C | 1 |
| Vancouver in December | 7 °C | 17 |
11FAQ
New York City in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit New York City?
December is the off-season to visit New York City. Daytime highs average 8 °C (46 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in New York City in December?
Expect cold days around 8 °C (46 °F) and nights near 1 °C (35 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 13 °C, and one in ten stays below 2 °C.
Does it rain a lot in New York City in December?
December brings about 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by New York City standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 31 percent.
What should I wear in New York City in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is New York City crowded in December?
The main sights are very busy in December. Main drivers: Rockefeller tree; Christmas week; New Year's Eve in Times Square.
What time does it get dark in New York City in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:29 and rises at 07:12, giving 9.3 hours of daylight.