Month guide · Belfast · United Kingdom
Belfast in December
What December is really like in Belfast: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: GFoxGOH, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 7.3 hours of daylight. Festive lights, pantomime at the Grand Opera House and busy pubs, with very short days.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 7.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Belfast: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with November (10°C (50°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 8°C (46°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:40
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 15:58
- Daylight
- About 7.3 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, wet and short days, offset by the Christmas market, pantomime and the lowest hotel rates in January and February.
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 at City Hall continues (usually until just before Christmas)
- New Year's Eve celebrations
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.
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Market · City Centre
St George's Market
Belfast's last surviving Victorian covered market, built in the 1890s, comes alive from Friday to Sunday with stalls selling local produce, fish, crafts and street food, often with live music.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Historic site · City Centre
Linen Hall Library
Stop at the upstairs café for a quiet cup of tea in the book-lined rooms.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Falls and Shankill
Murals and peace walls of west Belfast
The Falls Road and Shankill Road, divided by peace walls built during the Troubles, are covered in political and memorial murals that show the history and identities of each community.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Art
- Photo spot
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Historic site · Titanic Quarter
SS Nomadic
Entry is usually included with a Titanic Belfast ticket, so visit straight after the main exhibition.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near 2°C and 14 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 Belfast?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and August–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Belfast in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Belfast?
It is a shoulder-season month. Festive lights, pantomime at the Grand Opera House and busy pubs, with very short days.
+How warm is Belfast in December?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Belfast in December?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.