Month guide · Portland · United States
Portland in December
What December is really like in Portland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: DJ Cane, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 8.7 hours of daylight. Cold and damp, with holiday lights and Christmas ships parading on the rivers.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Portland: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with November (12°C (54°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:44
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:28
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Cool, grey and wet with occasional snow or ice; quiet and lower-priced, with ski season on Mount Hood.
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
- Christmas Ship Parade on the Willamette and Columbia rivers (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.
Garden · Washington Park
Portland Japanese Garden
Considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan, it has five garden styles, including a sand-and-stone garden and a strolling pond garden, plus a cultural village designed by architect Kengo Kuma.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Nature
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Experience · Citywide
Food cart pods
Go with friends and order from several carts to share; most pods have covered seating for rainy days.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Kids
- Iconic
Historic site · Northwest and Nob Hill
Pittock Mansion
Built in 1914 for newspaper publisher Henry Pittock, this French Renaissance-style mansion sits about 300 metres above the city, with period rooms inside and grounds that look out over downtown to Mount Hood, Mount St.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Architecture
Park · Northwest and Nob Hill
Forest Park
For a short taste, walk the Lower Macleay Trail from NW Upshur Street to the Stone House and back.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near 2°C and 18 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 Portland?
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.
Portland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Portland?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and damp, with holiday lights and Christmas ships parading on the rivers.
+How warm is Portland in December?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Portland in December?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.