Month guide · Johannesburg · South Africa
Johannesburg in December
What December is really like in Johannesburg: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: NJR ZA, Public domain
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 13.8 hours of daylight. Many residents leave for the coast, so roads are quieter and city hotels offer lower rates; storms are frequent.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 2nd-warmest month in Johannesburg: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with November (25°C (77°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:10
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:56
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
Autumn (March–May). Settled, sunny weather and cooling evenings; one of the most comfortable times for sightseeing and day trips.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is October at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in October). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Day of Reconciliation — public holiday (16 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.
Street · Soweto
Vilakazi Street and Mandela House
Nelson Mandela lived in the small brick house at 8115 Vilakazi Street in Orlando West from 1946 until his arrest in the early 1960s; it is now a museum with family photographs and bullet marks on the walls.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Food
Experience · Soweto
Soweto by bicycle or with a local guide
Choose a Soweto-based operator and add lunch at a local shisa nyama to the tour.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Active
- Food
Theme park · Ormonde
Gold Reef City
A theme park built around an old gold mine shaft, with roller coasters and water rides, a recreated gold-rush streetscape and an underground tour that goes down into the former mine workings.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Active
Landmark · Soweto
Orlando Towers
Even if you skip the jump, the platform view helps you understand Soweto's scale.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Views
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 14°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Johannesburg?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Johannesburg in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Johannesburg?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Many residents leave for the coast, so roads are quieter and city hotels offer lower rates; storms are frequent.
+How warm is Johannesburg in December?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Johannesburg in December?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.