Month guide · Boston · United States
Boston in December
What December is really like in Boston: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 9.1 hours of daylight. Cold, with festive lights on the Common and Faneuil Hall and the first snow likely.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 7°C (45°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Boston: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about -2°C (28°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with November (11°C (52°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:07
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:13
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
- Sea
- 7°C (45°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold and often snowy, with nor'easter storms that can disrupt travel, but festive lights, ice skating and the lowest hotel rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in May). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Boston Common Christmas tree lighting — the tree is a yearly gift from Nova Scotia (usually early December)
- Boston Tea Party reenactment (around 16 December)
- First Night Boston on New Year's Eve (31 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.
Religious site · Back Bay
Trinity Church
H.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
- Art
Museum · Fort Point
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Tours leave at set times and fill up in summer; book a slot and arrive about 15 minutes early.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
Neighbourhood · Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill and Acorn Street
Walk the brick pavements of Beacon Hill past gas lamps, window boxes and Federal-era doorways, from the gold-domed State House down to Charles Street.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- Photo spot
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Garden · Jamaica Plain
Arnold Arboretum
Visit in May, when the lilacs bloom; take the Orange Line to Forest Hills and walk about 10 minutes to the gate.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near -2°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 Boston?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 3 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Boston in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Boston?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, with festive lights on the Common and Faneuil Hall and the first snow likely.
+How warm is Boston in December?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Boston in December?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.