Month guide · Lucerne · Switzerland
Lucerne in December
What December is really like in Lucerne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: WES1947, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of -1°C (30°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 8.5 hours of daylight. Christmas markets, lights in the old town and the first snow on the peaks; cold but festive.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / -1°C (30°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 8.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Lucerne: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about -1°C (30°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with November (8°C (46°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:06
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:38
- Daylight
- About 8.5 hours
Winter (December–February). Christmas markets, Fasnacht and skiing on Titlis, with frequent low fog in town and sunshine above it.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas markets on Franziskanerplatz and in the old town (usually late November to 24 December)
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 · Old Town
Jesuit Church
Built in the second half of the 17th century on the left bank of the Reuss, this was the first large Baroque church in Switzerland.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- History
Religious site · Hof
Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche)
It is a five-minute walk from the Lion Monument, so link the two on the way back to the lake.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Architecture · Station
KKL Luzern and Kunstmuseum Luzern
Jean Nouvel's culture and congress centre beside the station has a vast cantilevered roof reaching out over the lake and a concert hall famed for its acoustics.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
- After dark
Gallery · Neustadt
Rosengart Collection
Start with the Klee rooms downstairs, which are often quieter than the Picasso galleries.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near -1°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Lucerne?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Lucerne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Lucerne?
It is a shoulder-season month. Christmas markets, lights in the old town and the first snow on the peaks; cold but festive.
+How warm is Lucerne in December?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lucerne in December?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.