Month guide · Denver · United States
Denver in December
What December is really like in Denver: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sandersenvie, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of -8°C (18°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 9.4 hours of daylight. Cold and often sunny, with holiday lights downtown and at the Botanic Gardens.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / -8°C (18°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Denver: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about -8°C (18°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with November (11°C (52°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 6°C (43°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:14
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:37
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold but often sunny in the city, with snow that rarely lasts; prime ski season in the mountains.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- 9News Parade of Lights downtown (usually early December)
- Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (usually 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.
Architecture · Golden Triangle
Colorado State Capitol
The Capitol's dome is covered with real Colorado gold leaf, and one of its west steps is engraved 'One Mile Above Sea Level'.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Architecture · LoDo and Union Station
Denver Union Station
Grab a drink at the Great Hall bar and watch the trains come and go.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Food
- History
Street · Downtown and Larimer Square
Larimer Square
Denver's oldest block, saved from demolition in the 1960s, is lined with Victorian buildings, restaurants and boutiques under overhead strings of lights that make it especially pretty after dark.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- History
Garden · Cheesman Park
Denver Botanic Gardens
Visit in June or July for peak bloom, or in December for the Blossoms of Light display.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near -8°C and 5 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Denver?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Denver in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Denver?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and often sunny, with holiday lights downtown and at the Botanic Gardens.
+How warm is Denver in December?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around -8°C (18°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Denver in December?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.