Month guide · Hamburg · Germany
Hamburg in December
What December is really like in Hamburg: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bildersindtoll, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 7.5 hours of daylight. Christmas markets at the Rathausmarkt and across the city make December busy despite the cold.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 7.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Hamburg: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with November (8°C (46°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:31
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:01
- Daylight
- About 7.5 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and dark with drizzle, brightened in December by Christmas markets; low prices in January and February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is May at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas market at the Rathausmarkt (usually late November to 23 December)
- New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbour and Alster
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 · Neustadt
St. Michael's Church (Michel)
Hamburg's landmark Baroque church has a bright white-and-gold interior with five organs and a copper-clad tower over 130 metres high.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Architecture · Altstadt
Hamburg City Hall
Join a guided tour of the interior; tours in English run on most days when parliament is not sitting.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · St. Georg
Hamburger Kunsthalle
One of Germany's largest art museums spans old masters, 19th-century German Romantics, including Caspar David Friedrich's Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, and modern and contemporary art in the Galerie der Gegenwart.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · HafenCity and Speicherstadt
International Maritime Museum
Start at the top floor and work down; the ship-model floors are the highlight.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near 0°C and 12 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Hamburg?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Hamburg in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Hamburg?
It is a shoulder-season month. Christmas markets at the Rathausmarkt and across the city make December busy despite the cold.
+How warm is Hamburg in December?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hamburg in December?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.