Month guide · Vilnius · Lithuania
Vilnius in December
What December is really like in Vilnius: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 0°C (32°F), lows of -4°C (25°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 7.3 hours of daylight. Festive, with the elaborate Christmas tree and market on Cathedral Square; often snowy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 0°C (32°F) / -4°C (25°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 7.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Vilnius: days average 0°C (32°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about -4°C (25°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with November (4°C (39°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around -2°C (28°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:36
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 15:53
- Daylight
- About 7.3 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and snowy, with the Christmas tree on Cathedral Square, quiet museums and low prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas market on Cathedral Square (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.
Park · Žvėrynas
Vingis Park
Vilnius's largest park fills a bend of the Neris west of the centre with pine woods, cycling and running paths, playgrounds and a large open-air stage used for concerts and the Song Festival.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Experience · Old Town
Hot-air balloon flight over the Old Town
Book with a flexible date: flights are often cancelled at short notice for wind or rain.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours including transfers
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Palace · Old Town
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Demolished in the early 19th century, the Grand Dukes' palace behind the cathedral was rebuilt on its original foundations and opened as a museum in the 2010s.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Historic site · Old Town
Vilnius University
Start at the Great Courtyard and finish in the Littera bookshop, which is free to enter.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Views
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 0°C, lows near -4°C and 12 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 Vilnius?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Vilnius in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Vilnius?
It is a shoulder-season month. Festive, with the elaborate Christmas tree and market on Cathedral Square; often snowy.
+How warm is Vilnius in December?
Average highs are around 0°C (32°F) and lows around -4°C (25°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Vilnius in December?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.