Month guide · Anchorage · United States
Anchorage in December
What December is really like in Anchorage: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Christy747, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of -4°C (25°F), lows of -11°C (12°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 5.5 hours of daylight. The darkest month, about five and a half hours of daylight at the solstice, with festive lights and skiing at Alyeska.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -4°C (25°F) / -11°C (12°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 5.5 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Anchorage: days average -4°C (25°F) against a yearly average high of 7°C (45°F), and nights fall to about -11°C (12°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with November (-2°C (28°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near -5°C (23°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 10:10
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 15:41
- Daylight
- About 5.5 hours
Spring (April–May). Breakup mud in April gives way to fresh green and bright, dry days in May as summer services resume.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Anchorage International Film Festival (usually early December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Street · Downtown
4th Avenue and the Log Cabin Visitor Center
Downtown's main street has the sod-roofed Log Cabin Visitor Information Center, Alaska Native art galleries, outfitters and gift shops.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- History
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Museum · Downtown
Anchorage Museum
Start with the Smithsonian gallery on the second floor; it gives the best background for the rest of an Alaska trip.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Experience · Airport and Lake Hood
Lake Hood Seaplane Base and Alaska Aviation Museum
Lake Hood and neighbouring Lake Spenard form one of the busiest floatplane bases in the world, with bush planes taking off every few minutes in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Northeast Anchorage
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Time your visit for a dance or Native games demonstration, and talk with the hosts at each village site.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near -4°C, lows near -11°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Anchorage?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Anchorage in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Anchorage?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The darkest month, about five and a half hours of daylight at the solstice, with festive lights and skiing at Alyeska.
+How warm is Anchorage in December?
Average highs are around -4°C (25°F) and lows around -11°C (12°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Anchorage in December?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.