Month guide · Christchurch · New Zealand
Christchurch in December
What December is really like in Christchurch: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tzuhsun Hsu, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Christchurch. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 15.4 hours of daylight. Early summer with long evenings; busy around Christmas and the New Year holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 15.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 15°C (59°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 3rd-warmest month in Christchurch: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with November (19°C (66°F)), December is warmer; by January highs climb to around 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:43
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 21:07
- Daylight
- About 15.4 hours
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F)
Autumn (March–May). Settled early autumn weather, golden trees in Hagley Park in April and cooling, frosty nights by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
December has no major recurring festival in Christchurch, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Experience · Central City
Punting on the Avon
Punters in boaters and striped jackets pole flat-bottomed boats along the Avon (Ōtākaro) beneath willows and past the Botanic Gardens.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Port Hills
Christchurch Gondola
Go on a clear morning for the best chance of seeing the Alps, and walk part of the Crater Rim track.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Zoo · McLeans Island
Orana Wildlife Park
New Zealand's open-range zoo, on the city's north-western edge, keeps lions, giraffes, rhinos and gorillas in large enclosures, as well as native kiwi, tuatara and birds.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Park · Central City
Margaret Mahy Family Playground
Bring a change of clothes for the water-play area in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 11°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Christchurch?
One of the best months to visit Christchurch. The other best months are January–March. Compare every month.
Christchurch in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Christchurch?
It is one of the best months to visit Christchurch. Early summer with long evenings; busy around Christmas and the New Year holidays.
+How warm is Christchurch in December?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Christchurch in December?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.