Month guide · Galway · Ireland
Galway in December
What December is really like in Galway: 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 9°C (48°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 7.5 hours of daylight. Festive lights and the Christmas market, with busy pubs before Christmas and very short days.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 7.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 11°C (52°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Galway: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with November (11°C (52°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:45
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:18
- Daylight
- About 7.5 hours
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F)
Winter (December–February). Wet, windy and short days, but the Christmas market, cosy pub sessions and the lowest room rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Galway Christmas Market continues (usually until just before Christmas)
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 · Newcastle
University of Galway Quadrangle
The university's Tudor Gothic Quadrangle of 1849, modelled on Christ Church, Oxford, is a quiet limestone courtyard with a central lawn and clock tower.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Museum · Latin Quarter
Galway City Museum
Head to the top floor for the view over the Spanish Arch and Galway Bay.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Religious site · Woodquay
Galway Cathedral
Dedicated in 1965, the domed limestone cathedral beside the Salmon Weir Bridge is often described as one of the last great stone cathedrals built in Europe.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Aquarium · Salthill
Galway Atlantaquarium
Combine it with the playground and promenade nearby for a full rainy-morning plan with kids.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 4°C and 18 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Galway?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Galway in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Galway?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Festive lights and the Christmas market, with busy pubs before Christmas and very short days.
+How warm is Galway in December?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Galway in December?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.