Month guide · Kansas City · United States
Kansas City in December
What December is really like in Kansas City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:charvex, Public domain
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of -5°C (23°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 9.4 hours of daylight. Cold, with holiday lights on the Plaza and at Crown Center; occasional snow.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / -5°C (23°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Kansas City: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about -5°C (23°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with November (12°C (54°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:31
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:57
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, sometimes icy days and low prices, with the Plaza Lights in December and indoor sights at their quietest.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in September). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Plaza Lights (through mid-January)
- Holiday ice skating at Crown Center (usually November to January)
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 · Crown Center
Union Station and Science City
The 1914 Beaux-Arts station has a Grand Hall with a 95-foot ceiling and three huge chandeliers, and still serves Amtrak trains.
- Time needed
- 1 hour; 3 hours with Science City
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Museum · River Market
Arabia Steamboat Museum
Go on a weekend morning and combine it with the City Market stalls just outside.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Gallery · Country Club Plaza
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
A small, free contemporary museum beside the Kansas City Art Institute, with a permanent collection of modern and contemporary art and a steady programme of changing exhibitions.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Westside
Boulevard Brewing Company
Book a tour slot online on weekends, then walk to the Mexican restaurants on Southwest Boulevard for dinner.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near -5°C and 6 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 Kansas City?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Kansas City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Kansas City?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, with holiday lights on the Plaza and at Crown Center; occasional snow.
+How warm is Kansas City in December?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around -5°C (23°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kansas City in December?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.