01Weather
Seoul weather in December
Afternoons in December average 4.1 °C (39 °F) and nights cool to -3.8 °C (25 °F). The month brings about 52 mm (2.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 11 days. Compared with November it is 9.2 °C cooler; January is 1.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 10 °C / 50 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | -3 °C / 26 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -11 °C / 12 °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) | 23.7 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 36 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 16.7 °C / -15.5 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:28 | 17:14 | 9.8 h |
| 15 December | 07:39 | 17:14 | 9.6 h |
| 31 December | 07:46 | 17:23 | 9.6 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Seoul).
03Crowds
How busy Seoul is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Christmas lights in Myeongdong
- winter sales
- Bosingak bell on New Year's Eve
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 Seoul in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bosingak Bell-Ringing | midnight on 31 December, Jongno | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Seoul 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 24 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold and dry, with afternoons around 3 °C and nights near minus five, Myeongdong and the department stores lit for Christmas, which is a public holiday though not a family one, so restaurants are busy. Ice rinks open at Seoul Plaza and the Olympic Park. The Bosingak bell rings thirty-three times at midnight on New Year's Eve, with crowds filling Jongno. Snow falls on a few days.
Hotel rates are moderate until the Christmas week. The Lantern Festival continues along the stream. The ski resorts in Gangwon open from late November. The winter sales begin in late December. Daylight runs from about half past seven to half past five. For the coldest month and Seollal, see January.
09Compare
Seoul month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 °C | -5 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 6 °C | -3 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 13 °C | 3 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 20 °C | 9 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 14 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 28 °C | 20 °C | 17 | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 31 °C | 24 °C | 20 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| August | 31 °C | 25 °C | 19 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| September | 27 °C | 19 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 11 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 13 °C | 4 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 4 °C | -4 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Seoul.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto in December | 12 °C | 7 |
| Shanghai in December | 12 °C | 8 |
| Beijing in December | 5 °C | 1 |
| Tokyo in December | 12 °C | 6 |
| Bangkok in December | 33 °C | – |
| Singapore in December | 31 °C | 16 |
11FAQ
Seoul in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Seoul?
December is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Seoul. Daytime highs average 4 °C (39 °F), rain falls on about 11 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Seoul in December?
Expect cold days around 4 °C (39 °F) and nights near -4 °C (25 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 10 °C, and one in ten stays below -3 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Seoul in December?
December brings about 52 mm (2.0 in) of rain over roughly 11 days, which is showery by Seoul standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 36 percent.
What should I wear in Seoul in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Seoul crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Christmas lights in Myeongdong; winter sales; Bosingak bell on New Year's Eve.
What time does it get dark in Seoul in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 17:14 and rises at 07:39, giving 9.6 hours of daylight.