01Weather
Sydney weather in December
Afternoons in December average 27.7 °C (82 °F) and nights cool to 18.7 °C (66 °F). The month brings about 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with November it is 2.2 °C warmer; January is 0.7 °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) | 22 °C / 72 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 16 °C / 60 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 8.5 | 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 | 27 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 43.5 °C / 12.3 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 05:37 | 19:51 | 14.2 h |
| 15 December | 05:38 | 20:02 | 14.4 h |
| 31 December | 05:47 | 20:09 | 14.4 h |
Daylight grows by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Australia/Sydney).
03Crowds
How busy Sydney is in December
very busy The main sights are very busy in December. What drives it:
- Christmas on Bondi Beach
- Boxing Day yacht race
- New Year's Eve fireworks over the Harbour
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 Sydney in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start | 26 December, Harbour | sport |
| New Year's Eve fireworks | 31 December, Sydney Harbour | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Sydney in December
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 8 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is hot, humid and the busiest month, with afternoons around 26 °C, Christmas on Bondi Beach drawing backpackers in Santa hats, the Sydney to Hobart race start on Boxing Day watched from the Harbour foreshores and New Year's Eve, when vantage points fill by early morning and hotels with a view charge multiples of their normal rate. School holidays begin mid-month. Rain falls on about ten days.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays with transport on reduced timetables; the Boxing Day sales start the same morning. Sea temperatures reach 22 °C. Carols in the Domain fills the park on a Saturday in mid-December. The first half of the month, before the schools break up, is the calm window. For high summer and the Sydney Festival, see January.
09Compare
Sydney month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 °C | 20 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| February | 28 °C | 20 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| March | 26 °C | 19 °C | 11 | – | busy | Good |
| April | 24 °C | 16 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 21 °C | 12 °C | 6 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| June | 18 °C | 10 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 19 °C | 9 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| August | 20 °C | 10 °C | 6 | – | quiet | Excellent |
| September | 22 °C | 12 °C | 7 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| October | 24 °C | 15 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 26 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| December | 28 °C | 19 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Sydney.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne in December | 25 °C | 8 |
| Singapore in December | 31 °C | 16 |
| Bangkok in December | 33 °C | – |
| Tokyo in December | 12 °C | 6 |
| Kyoto in December | 12 °C | 7 |
| Shanghai in December | 12 °C | 8 |
11FAQ
Sydney in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Sydney?
December is a good month to visit Sydney. Daytime highs average 28 °C (82 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Sydney in December?
Expect warm days around 28 °C (82 °F) and nights near 19 °C (66 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 34 °C, and one in ten stays below 22 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Sydney in December?
December brings about 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by Sydney standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 27 percent.
What should I wear in Sydney in December?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Sydney crowded in December?
The main sights are very busy in December. Main drivers: Christmas on Bondi Beach; Boxing Day yacht race; New Year's Eve fireworks over the Harbour.
What time does it get dark in Sydney in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 20:02 and rises at 05:38, giving 14.4 hours of daylight.