Month guide · Houston · United States
Houston in December
What December is really like in Houston: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
December is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 10.2 hours of daylight. Mild with occasional cold fronts; holiday lights and ice skating at Discovery Green.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Houston: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (22°C (72°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 17°C (63°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:10
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:24
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild with occasional cold fronts and rare freezes; good value and comfortable for sightseeing.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is March at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in March). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Zoo Lights continues (through December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Museum District
Children's Museum Houston
A hands-on museum for children up to about 12, with a kid-sized city where children run shops and earn money, a water-play area, science labs and a big outdoor play space.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Market · Uptown
The Galleria
Watch the skaters from the upper levels, or skate yourself; rentals are available at the rink.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Kids
Religious site · Montrose
Rothko Chapel
A non-denominational octagonal chapel holding 14 dark canvases painted by Mark Rothko for the space, opened in 1971.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Park · Museum District
Hermann Park
Check the Miller Outdoor Theatre schedule and bring a blanket for the hill seating on a summer evening.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 18°C, lows near 7°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Houston?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Houston in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Houston?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Mild with occasional cold fronts; holiday lights and ice skating at Discovery Green.
+How warm is Houston in December?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Houston in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.