Month guide · London · United Kingdom
London in December
What December is really like in London: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 7.9 hours of daylight. Festive markets, ice rinks and department-store windows; almost no public transport runs on Christmas Day.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 3°C (37°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in London: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 3°C (37°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 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 08:00
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 15:52
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, short days but lively Christmas markets and lights, January sales and quieter museums; hotel prices dip after New Year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas markets and ice rinks in Hyde Park, on the South Bank and elsewhere (December)
- New Year's Eve fireworks over the Thames (ticketed viewing areas)
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.
Park · Hyde Park
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Together the two royal parks cover about 250 hectares of central London.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Nature
Historic site · Greenwich
Royal Observatory and Greenwich Park
Arrive by river boat from Westminster or London Eye pier for a scenic approach, and return on the DLR.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
Garden · Kew
Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-west London, hold one of the world's great plant collections across about 130 hectares.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
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Viewpoint · City of London
Sky Garden
If the free slots are gone, a reservation at one of the Sky Garden's bars or restaurants also gets you in.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Architecture
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 3°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit London?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
London in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit London?
It is a shoulder-season month. Festive markets, ice rinks and department-store windows; almost no public transport runs on Christmas Day.
+How warm is London in December?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F).
+Does it rain a lot in London in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.