01Weather
Toronto weather in December
Afternoons in December average 3.0 °C (37 °F) and nights cool to -2.7 °C (27 °F). The month brings about 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with November it is 5.3 °C cooler; January is 2.5 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 9 °C / 49 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | -3 °C / 27 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -9 °C / 15 °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) | 20.6 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 33 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 16.0 °C / -20.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:31 | 16:41 | 9.2 h |
| 15 December | 07:44 | 16:41 | 9.0 h |
| 31 December | 07:50 | 16:50 | 9.0 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Toronto).
03Crowds
How busy Toronto is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Christmas markets
- holiday shows
- New Year's Eve at Nathan Phillips Square
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 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 Toronto in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve at Nathan Phillips Square | 31 December | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Toronto 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 21 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold with snow likely on about nine days, afternoons around 1 °C, the Christmas market in the Distillery District, holiday shows at the theatres and a quiet first three weeks before the Christmas-to-New-Year rush. Boxing Day sales on the 26th are huge, with queues at the Eaton Centre. New Year's Eve at Nathan Phillips Square has free concerts and fireworks. Christmas Day closes almost everything, including the subway until later in the morning.
The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre and the Toronto Christmas Market's weekend ticketing fill the evenings. Outdoor skating opens at Nathan Phillips Square and the Harbourfront. Daylight is under nine hours. Hotel rates rise for the New Year week. For the coldest month and Winterlicious, see January.
09Compare
Toronto month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 °C | -6 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 2 °C | -5 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 6 °C | -1 °C | 8 | – | quiet | Good |
| April | 12 °C | 4 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 19 °C | 10 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 25 °C | 15 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 28 °C | 19 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 27 °C | 18 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 23 °C | 15 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 16 °C | 8 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 8 °C | 2 °C | 8 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 3 °C | -3 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Toronto.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| New York City in December | 8 °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
Toronto in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Toronto?
December is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Toronto. Daytime highs average 3 °C (37 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Toronto in December?
Expect cold days around 3 °C (37 °F) and nights near -3 °C (27 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 9 °C, and one in ten stays below -3 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Toronto in December?
December brings about 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by Toronto standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 33 percent.
What should I wear in Toronto in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Toronto crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Christmas markets; holiday shows; New Year's Eve at Nathan Phillips Square.
What time does it get dark in Toronto in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:41 and rises at 07:44, giving 9.0 hours of daylight.