Month guide · Minneapolis · United States
Minneapolis in December
What December is really like in Minneapolis: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mikael Häggström , M.D. Author info - Reusing images - Conflicts of interest: None Mikael , CC0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of -3°C (27°F), lows of -11°C (12°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 8.8 hours of daylight. Snowy and cold, with holiday markets and lights; dress for real winter.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -3°C (27°F) / -11°C (12°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 8.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Minneapolis: days average -3°C (27°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about -11°C (12°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (5°C (41°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around -6°C (21°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:45
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:32
- Daylight
- About 8.8 hours
Winter (December–February). Long and very cold, with snow cover, frozen lakes and wind chills below −20°C; the skyway and indoor culture make it manageable.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Holiday markets and Nordic Christmas events at the American Swedish Institute (usually 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.
Museum · Phillips
American Swedish Institute
A 33-room chateau-style mansion built in 1908 for newspaper publisher Swan Turnblad houses this museum of Swedish and Nordic culture, with carved woodwork, tiled stoves and changing exhibitions.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Food
- Rainy day
Architecture · Downtown
Minneapolis Skyway System
Use the skyway maps posted at junctions; on cold days it is the quickest way to cross downtown on foot.
- Time needed
- As needed
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Gallery · University of Minnesota
Weisman Art Museum
Frank Gehry's crumpled stainless-steel museum on the University of Minnesota campus looks out over the Mississippi from the east bank.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Market · Lake Street
Midtown Global Market
Come hungry at lunchtime and share several small plates from different counters.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
What to pack
For highs near -3°C, lows near -11°C and 9 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 Minneapolis?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Minneapolis in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Minneapolis?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Snowy and cold, with holiday markets and lights; dress for real winter.
+How warm is Minneapolis in December?
Average highs are around -3°C (27°F) and lows around -11°C (12°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.