01Weather
Vancouver weather in December
Afternoons in December average 7.1 °C (45 °F) and nights cool to 3.2 °C (38 °F). The month brings about 205 mm (8.1 in) of rain spread over roughly 17 days. Compared with November it is 2.9 °C cooler; January is 0.4 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 11 °C / 51 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 4 °C / 38 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -1 °C / 30 °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) | 4.1 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 57 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 13.4 °C / -10.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 08:46 | 17:16 | 8.5 h |
| 15 December | 09:01 | 17:14 | 8.2 h |
| 31 December | 09:07 | 17:23 | 8.3 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Vancouver).
03Crowds
How busy Vancouver is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- VanDusen Festival of Lights
- Christmas market
- ski season
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 Vancouver in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| VanDusen Festival of Lights | late November to early January | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Vancouver 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
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cool, wet and dark, with afternoons around 6 °C, rain on about sixteen days, occasional snow in the city and reliable snow on the mountains, the Christmas market downtown and the Festival of Lights at VanDusen. The week between Christmas and New Year is busy with ski travellers. Early December is calm and cheap. Christmas Day closes most things; Boxing Day opens the sales.
The Bright Nights train in Stanley Park runs through the month. Grouse Mountain's Peak of Christmas has reindeer and skating. Whistler's Christmas week is the most expensive of its year. Daylight is under eight and a half hours. For the rainy season at its wettest and Dine Out, see January.
09Compare
Vancouver month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 °C | 3 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 7 °C | 3 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 10 °C | 5 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| April | 14 °C | 7 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 18 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 21 °C | 13 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 24 °C | 15 °C | 4 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 24 °C | 16 °C | 4 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 20 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 14 °C | 8 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 6 °C | 18 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| December | 7 °C | 3 °C | 17 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Vancouver.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco in December | 15 °C | 8 |
| Las Vegas in December | 15 °C | 1 |
| Los Angeles in December | 20 °C | 2 |
| Toronto in December | 3 °C | 10 |
| New York City in December | 8 °C | 10 |
| Orlando in December | 23 °C | 2 |
11FAQ
Vancouver in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Vancouver?
December is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Vancouver. Daytime highs average 7 °C (45 °F), rain falls on about 17 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Vancouver in December?
Expect cold days around 7 °C (45 °F) and nights near 3 °C (38 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 11 °C, and one in ten stays below 4 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Vancouver in December?
December brings about 205 mm (8.1 in) of rain over roughly 17 days, which is wet by Vancouver standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 57 percent.
What should I wear in Vancouver in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Vancouver crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: VanDusen Festival of Lights; Christmas market; ski season.
What time does it get dark in Vancouver in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 17:14 and rises at 09:01, giving 8.2 hours of daylight.