01Weather
Prague weather in December
Afternoons in December average 4.6 °C (40 °F) and nights cool to 0.4 °C (33 °F). The month brings about 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with November it is 3.1 °C cooler; January is 0.5 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 10 °C / 51 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 32 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -5 °C / 24 °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) | 13.1 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 25 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 17.5 °C / -12.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:39 | 16:03 | 8.4 h |
| 15 December | 07:54 | 16:00 | 8.1 h |
| 31 December | 08:01 | 16:09 | 8.1 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 18 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Prague).
03Crowds
How busy Prague is in December
busy The main sights are busy in December. What drives it:
- Christmas markets on Old Town Square
- New Year's Eve fireworks
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 24 Dec 2026 | Christmas Eve |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| 26 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 Prague in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas markets | late November to early January, Old Town and Wenceslas Squares | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Prague in December
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 13 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold, with afternoons around 5 °C and often a dusting of snow, and busy with the Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, mulled wine and trdelník everywhere and carp sold live from tanks in the streets before Christmas. Czech Christmas is celebrated on the 24th, when restaurants close early, and the 25th and 26th are holidays with shops shut. New Year's Eve is loud and expensive, with fireworks across the city.
Hotel rates are moderate until mid-December, then rise for the Christmas and New Year week. Daylight is under eight and a half hours. The Christmas concerts in churches and the Municipal House run nightly. The markets continue to 6 January. For the cheapest month with the ball season beginning, see January.
09Compare
Prague month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -1 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 7 °C | 0 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 11 °C | 2 °C | 7 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 15 °C | 4 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 19 °C | 8 °C | 11 | – | very busy | Good |
| June | 25 °C | 14 °C | 11 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 26 °C | 15 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 26 °C | 15 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 21 °C | 11 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 15 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 8 °C | 2 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 5 °C | 0 °C | 8 | – | busy | Mixed |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Prague.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Budapest in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
| Copenhagen in December | 6 °C | – |
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| Rome in December | 14 °C | 10 |
11FAQ
Prague in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Prague?
December is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Prague. Daytime highs average 5 °C (40 °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 Prague in December?
Expect cold days around 5 °C (40 °F) and nights near 0 °C (33 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 10 °C, and one in ten stays below -0 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Prague in December?
December brings about 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by Prague standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 25 percent.
What should I wear in Prague in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Prague crowded in December?
The main sights are busy in December. Main drivers: Christmas markets on Old Town Square; New Year's Eve fireworks.
What time does it get dark in Prague in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:00 and rises at 07:54, giving 8.1 hours of daylight.