Month guide · Vancouver · Canada
Vancouver in December
What December is really like in Vancouver: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Xicotencatl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 17 rainy days and roughly 8.2 hours of daylight. Wet and dark but festive, with light displays in the city and skiing on Grouse, Cypress and Seymour.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 17
- Daylight
- About 8.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 9°C (48°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Vancouver: days average 7°C (45°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 17 of its 31 days. Compared with November (9°C (48°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 09:02
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:14
- Daylight
- About 8.2 hours
- Sea
- 9°C (48°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild and very rainy at sea level, with snow on the North Shore mountains for skiing within about 30 minutes of downtown.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- VanDusen Festival of Lights (usually December)
- Vancouver Christmas Market (usually until 24 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.
Nature · West Vancouver
Lighthouse Park
Some of the region's largest old-growth Douglas firs stand in this 75-hectare park at the entrance to Howe Sound, where short trails lead to granite outcrops below the Point Atkinson lighthouse, with views back to Stanley Park and downtown.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Burrard Inlet
SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay
Sit by the front or rear windows on the way over and return at dusk for the city lights.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Food
Waterfront · North Vancouver
Deep Cove and Quarry Rock
This village on the Indian Arm fjord is the base for kayaking and paddleboarding along forested shores, and for the Quarry Rock trail, a walk of about 3.8 km return to a granite viewpoint over the water.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Free
Beach · Kitsilano
Kitsilano Beach and Kits Pool
Come for sunset, then walk the seawall to Vanier Park and the Maritime Museum.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Views
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near 1°C and 17 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 Vancouver?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Vancouver in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Vancouver?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Wet and dark but festive, with light displays in the city and skiing on Grouse, Cypress and Seymour.
+How warm is Vancouver in December?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Vancouver in December?
Expect rain on about 17 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.