Month guide · São Paulo · Brazil
São Paulo in December
What December is really like in São Paulo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Pablo Trincado, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 18°C (64°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 13.6 hours of daylight. Hot and wet, with Christmas lights on Avenida Paulista and the São Silvestre race on New Year's Eve.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 18°C (64°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 4th-warmest month in São Paulo: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 18°C (64°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with November (26°C (79°F)), December is warmer; by January highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:15
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:49
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
Autumn (March–May). Warm, increasingly dry days, cooler nights and the Virada Cultural; comfortable for walking.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in February). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- São Silvestre road race (31 December)
- New Year's Eve concert and fireworks on Avenida Paulista (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Luz
Pinacoteca de São Paulo
The state art museum occupies a 1900 brick building remodelled by Paulo Mendes da Rocha with glass roofs and walkways over its inner courtyards.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Luz
Museu da Língua Portuguesa
Many exhibits work best if you have some Portuguese or Spanish, but the station building and the projection room appeal to everyone.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Centro
Farol Santander
The art deco Altino Arantes Building, modelled on the Empire State Building and long the city's tallest tower, now houses a cultural centre with exhibitions, a café and an observation deck on its upper floors.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Ipiranga
Museu do Ipiranga
Walk down through the gardens to the Independence Monument, which holds the crypt of Emperor Pedro I.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 18°C and 15 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit São Paulo?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and August–October are better overall. Compare every month.
São Paulo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit São Paulo?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot and wet, with Christmas lights on Avenida Paulista and the São Silvestre race on New Year's Eve.
+How warm is São Paulo in December?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F).
+Does it rain a lot in São Paulo in December?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.