Month guide · Brisbane · Australia
Brisbane in December
What December is really like in Brisbane: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brisbane City Council, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 13.9 hours of daylight. Hot, humid and stormy; Christmas lights at City Hall and summer holidays begin.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 4th-warmest month in Brisbane: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (28°C (82°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 04:48
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:39
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
Autumn (March–May). Humidity eases into warm, sunny, drier days — May is one of the most pleasant months.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas lights and events at King George Square (December)
- New Year's Eve fireworks at South Bank (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Waterfront · Fortitude Valley
Howard Smith Wharves
Restored heritage wharf sheds beneath the Story Bridge now hold restaurants, a riverside brewery, bars and lawns facing Kangaroo Point.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
- Views
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Garden · Brisbane CBD
Roma Street Parkland
Bring lunch; the barbecues and lawns by the lake are rarely crowded on weekdays.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Park · New Farm
New Farm Park and Brisbane Powerhouse
A riverside park famous for its jacaranda trees, which turn purple from about late October, with rose gardens, a large fig-tree playground and its own CityCat stop.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Food
- Outdoors
- Couples
Gallery · South Bank
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Check the programme for the Children's Art Centre and the cinémathèque, both included in or alongside the free collection displays.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 20°C and 9 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Brisbane?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and August–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Brisbane in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Brisbane?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot, humid and stormy; Christmas lights at City Hall and summer holidays begin.
+How warm is Brisbane in December?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Brisbane in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.