Month guide · Antwerp · Belgium
Antwerp in December
What December is really like in Antwerp: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 7.9 hours of daylight. Christmas market, ice rink and lights in the old town.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Antwerp: days average 7°C (45°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with November (10°C (50°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 6°C (43°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:41
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:35
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Christmas market and lights in December, then cold, damp, quiet weeks with low prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas market on the Groenplaats and Grote Markt (usually December to early January)
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.
Museum · Oude Stad
Museum Plantin-Moretus
The home and printing business of Christophe Plantin and his Moretus descendants, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, keeps its 16th-century workshops, two of the oldest surviving printing presses, original typefaces and a library of rare books, around a courtyard garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Eilandje
MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)
Even if you skip the galleries, ride the free escalators to the rooftop at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Museum · Het Zuid
KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts)
Reopened in 2022 after an 11-year renovation, the KMSKA displays Flemish masters including Jan van Eyck, Rubens and Jordaens in its 19th-century galleries, and the world's largest James Ensor collection, along with Magritte and other modern artists in new white galleries inside the old building.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Eilandje
Red Star Line Museum
Climb the museum's tower for a view over the Eilandje and the river.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Views
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near 2°C and 13 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Antwerp?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Antwerp in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Antwerp?
It is a shoulder-season month. Christmas market, ice rink and lights in the old town.
+How warm is Antwerp in December?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Antwerp in December?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.