Month guide · Victoria · Canada
Victoria in December
What December is really like in Victoria: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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 18 rainy days and roughly 8.3 hours of daylight. Wet and dark early, brightened by Christmas lights at Butchart Gardens and the lit Parliament Buildings.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 8.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 9°C (48°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Victoria: 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 18 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 08:59
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:19
- Daylight
- About 8.3 hours
- Sea
- 9°C (48°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild, wet and grey with little snow, low hotel prices and Christmas lights at Butchart Gardens.
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
- The Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens (usually December)
- Parliament Buildings and harbour lit for the holidays (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.
Castle · Rockland
Craigdarroch Castle
Coal magnate Robert Dunsmuir built this Scottish baronial mansion in the late 1880s and died before it was finished.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Views
Aquarium · Sidney
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Combine it with Butchart Gardens or a ferry arrival at Swartz Bay; it is a short, easy visit for young children.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Architecture · Inner Harbour and James Bay
BC Parliament Buildings
Designed by Francis Rattenbury and completed in 1897, the legislature's granite façade and copper dome topped with a gilded statue of Captain George Vancouver dominate the harbour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Free
- After dark
- History
Landmark · Inner Harbour and James Bay
Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea
Even without tea, walk through the lobby and the rose garden at the side of the hotel.
- Time needed
- 2 hours for tea
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Couples
- Food
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near 1°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 Victoria?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Victoria in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Victoria?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Wet and dark early, brightened by Christmas lights at Butchart Gardens and the lit Parliament Buildings.
+How warm is Victoria in December?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Victoria in December?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.