Month guide · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa in December
What December is really like in Ottawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jcart1534, Public domain
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of -3°C (27°F), lows of -10°C (14°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 8.7 hours of daylight. Snowy and festive, with holiday lights around the parliamentary precinct and markets at Lansdowne Park.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -3°C (27°F) / -10°C (14°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Ottawa: days average -3°C (27°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about -10°C (14°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 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 07:36
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:21
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Long, snowy and very cold, but with canal skating, Winterlude and cross-country skiing minutes from downtown.
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 July). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Holiday lights along Confederation Boulevard (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 · Old Hull, Gatineau
Canadian Museum of History
Douglas Cardinal's curving, wave-like building on the Gatineau riverbank holds one of Canada's most-visited museums.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Iconic
Museum · LeBreton Flats
Canadian War Museum
Allow time for the First World War gallery, which is the most powerful section, and the LeBreton Gallery of large vehicles.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Centretown
Canadian Museum of Nature
Housed in the turreted Victoria Memorial Museum Building — locals call it 'the castle' — the natural history museum has a full blue whale skeleton, a dinosaur gallery, a mineral hall and the Canada Goose Arctic Gallery.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Architecture
Museum · Rockcliffe
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Drive or take a rideshare; it is about 15 minutes from downtown and awkward by bus.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near -3°C, lows near -10°C and 13 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Ottawa?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Ottawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Ottawa?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Snowy and festive, with holiday lights around the parliamentary precinct and markets at Lansdowne Park.
+How warm is Ottawa in December?
Average highs are around -3°C (27°F) and lows around -10°C (14°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ottawa in December?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.