Month guide · Salt Lake City · United States
Salt Lake City in December
What December is really like in Salt Lake City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Beneathtimp, CC0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -5°C (23°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. Ski season is in full swing and Temple Square is lit for Christmas; holiday weeks are busy in the mountains.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -5°C (23°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Salt Lake City: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about -5°C (23°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (10°C (50°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:45
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:01
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
Autumn (September–November). Warm September days, golden aspens in the canyons in early October and a quiet November before ski season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Temple Square Christmas lights (through the end of 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 · Downtown
Cathedral of the Madeleine
Completed in 1909 on South Temple Street, the Catholic cathedral combines a Romanesque exterior with a richly painted Gothic interior, stained glass from Germany and carved gargoyles.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
Historic site · Downtown
Beehive House
It is one block east of Temple Square on South Temple; combine it with the Eagle Gate arch across the street.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · University and East Bench
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
The university's art museum, in the Marcia and John Price Museum Building, covers world art from antiquity to the present, with strong collections of American Western landscapes and contemporary work.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Downtown
Clark Planetarium
The exhibit floors are free; pay only if you want a dome or IMAX show.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -5°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 Salt Lake City?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, January–March, June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Salt Lake City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Salt Lake City?
It is a shoulder-season month. Ski season is in full swing and Temple Square is lit for Christmas; holiday weeks are busy in the mountains.
+How warm is Salt Lake City in December?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -5°C (23°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Salt Lake City in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.