Month guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Washington, D.C. in December
What December is really like in Washington, D.C.: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 9.4 hours of daylight. Cold, with festive lights, skating at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden and quieter museums between the holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Washington, D.C.: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (14°C (57°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:20
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:47
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold with occasional snow, festive lights in December and the quietest museums and lowest hotel rates of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in April). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- National Christmas Tree lighting near the White House (usually early December)
- ZooLights at the National Zoo (usually late November to late 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.
Historic site · Arlington, Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery
Across the Potomac, rows of white headstones cover the hillsides of the nation's best-known military cemetery.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Views
Zoo · Woodley Park
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Take the Red Line to Cleveland Park, which gives a flatter walk to the main entrance than the climb from Woodley Park.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Georgetown
Georgetown and the C&O Canal
Georgetown's brick rowhouses, the shops of M Street and the towpath of the 19th-century Chesapeake and Ohio Canal make for the city's best neighbourhood walk.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Couples
- History
- Outdoors
Market · Capitol Hill
Eastern Market
Come on a Saturday or Sunday morning for the full outdoor market, then walk ten minutes to the Library of Congress.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 1°C and 10 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 Washington, D.C.?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Washington, D.C. in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, with festive lights, skating at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden and quieter museums between the holidays.
+How warm is Washington, D.C. in December?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Washington, D.C. in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.