01Weather
Shanghai weather in December
Afternoons in December average 12.1 °C (54 °F) and nights cool to 4.7 °C (40 °F). The month brings about 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with November it is 6.7 °C cooler; January is 2.3 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 18 °C / 64 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 7 °C / 45 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 32 °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) | 4.4 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 27 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 24.0 °C / -6.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 06:35 | 16:51 | 10.3 h |
| 15 December | 06:45 | 16:53 | 10.1 h |
| 31 December | 06:52 | 17:01 | 10.1 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai).
03Crowds
How busy Shanghai is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Christmas lights on Nanjing Road
- cold, grey
- New Year countdown on the Bund
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
No public holidays in China fall in December, so shops and museums keep normal hours all month.
05Events
What's on in Shanghai in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve countdown | 31 December, the Bund | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Shanghai in December
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold and often grey, with afternoons around 11 °C, Christmas lights on Nanjing Road and in the malls, though it is not a holiday, and the New Year's Eve countdown on the Bund drawing huge crowds, with crowd controls after past crushes. Early December is quiet and cheap. Rain falls on about eight days. The first frost is possible.
The Longhua Temple's New Year's Eve bell and the Bund light shows are the traditional midnight. Disneyland's Christmas season runs all month. The Shanghai Tower deck has its best winter visibility on clear days after a cold front. Daylight runs from about half past six to five. For the coldest month and the Spring Festival, see January.
09Compare
Shanghai month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 °C | 3 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 11 °C | 4 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Good |
| March | 17 °C | 8 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 22 °C | 14 °C | 11 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 26 °C | 18 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| June | 29 °C | 22 °C | 15 | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 34 °C | 27 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| August | 34 °C | 27 °C | 14 | – | busy | Mixed |
| September | 30 °C | 23 °C | 12 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 24 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 19 °C | 12 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| December | 12 °C | 5 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Shanghai.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in December | 4 °C | 11 |
| Beijing in December | 5 °C | 1 |
| Kyoto in December | 12 °C | 7 |
| Tokyo in December | 12 °C | 6 |
| Bangkok in December | 33 °C | – |
| Singapore in December | 31 °C | 16 |
11FAQ
Shanghai in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Shanghai?
December is a good month to visit Shanghai. Daytime highs average 12 °C (54 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Shanghai in December?
Expect cool days around 12 °C (54 °F) and nights near 5 °C (40 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 18 °C, and one in ten stays below 7 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in December?
December brings about 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by Shanghai standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 27 percent.
What should I wear in Shanghai in December?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Shanghai crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Christmas lights on Nanjing Road; cold, grey; New Year countdown on the Bund.
What time does it get dark in Shanghai in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:53 and rises at 06:45, giving 10.1 hours of daylight.