Month guide · Pittsburgh · United States
Pittsburgh in December
What December is really like in Pittsburgh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of -3°C (27°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. Cold with holiday markets, an ice rink at PPG Place and decorated Nationality Rooms.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / -3°C (27°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Pittsburgh: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about -3°C (27°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with November (11°C (52°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 2°C (36°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:36
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:55
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, cloudy and snowy at times, with holiday lights, skating at PPG Place and low hotel rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Holiday market in Market Square (usually late November to December)
- Ice skating at PPG Place (winter)
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 · Oakland
Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
Andrew Carnegie's twin museums share a building and a ticket.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Architecture · Oakland
Cathedral of Learning
Check the Nationality Rooms tour schedule; some rooms can only be seen with a guide, and December brings holiday decorations.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Garden · Oakland
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
A Victorian glasshouse opened in 1893 at the edge of Schenley Park, Phipps has more than a dozen rooms of palms, orchids, desert plants and a tropical forest, with seasonal flower shows and Chihuly glass.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Couples
- Kids
- Photo spot
Museum · Strip District
Senator John Heinz History Center
Families should head straight for the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood display, including King Friday XIII's castle.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near -3°C and 14 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 Pittsburgh?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Pittsburgh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Pittsburgh?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold with holiday markets, an ice rink at PPG Place and decorated Nationality Rooms.
+How warm is Pittsburgh in December?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Pittsburgh in December?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.