Belgium Brussels Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Brussels is moderate
December is moderate for Brussels.
December in Brussels is cold and dark but genuinely magical, thanks to one of Europe's best Christmas markets. It averages 7°C/2°C with 80mm of rain and the year's shortest days.
The Winter Wonders / Plaisirs d'Hiver market spreads across the Grand-Place, the Bourse, and the Marché aux Poissons (Sainte-Catherine), with hundreds of wooden chalets selling mulled wine, hot chocolate, waffles, and crafts, plus a Ferris wheel and an ice rink. A nightly sound-and-light show is projected onto the Grand-Place façades — a free, unmissable spectacle.
Travel score
Brussels December Weather Stats
Avg High
7°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
18
80mm total
Sunshine
1.6h
Daily avg
Humidity
87%
damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 36
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
17 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
4°C
Nighttime
-1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 36 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Winter Wonders Christmas market
- Grand-Place sound-and-light show
- Festive food, mulled wine, and chocolate
- Ice rink and Ferris wheel
Cons
- Cold, damp, and shortest days
- High demand and prices around the market
- Frequent grey, drizzly weather
- Book accommodation ahead
December Events & Festivals
- Winter Wonders / Plaisirs d'Hiver Christmas market (through early January)
- Grand-Place sound-and-light show nightly
- Christmas (Dec 25) & New Year
- Ice rink and Ferris wheel at Sainte-Catherine
Brussels in December — Full Picture
December in Brussels is cold and dark but genuinely magical, thanks to one of Europe's best Christmas markets. It averages 7°C/2°C with 80mm of rain and the year's shortest days.
The Winter Wonders / Plaisirs d'Hiver market spreads across the Grand-Place, the Bourse, and the Marché aux Poissons (Sainte-Catherine), with hundreds of wooden chalets selling mulled wine, hot chocolate, waffles, and crafts, plus a Ferris wheel and an ice rink. A nightly sound-and-light show is projected onto the Grand-Place façades — a free, unmissable spectacle.
It's cold, damp, and frequently grey, with sunset before 5pm, so it's all about the festive atmosphere, hot drinks, and warming Belgian food and beer indoors. Snow is occasional and rarely heavy.
The market makes December a high-demand month — book accommodation a few weeks to a couple of months ahead, especially for weekends and around Christmas. Prices rise accordingly.
Note: dress very warm and waterproof, and plan for the lights and market in the evening when the city is at its most atmospheric.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold and festive — around 7°C/2°C with the shortest days and frequent damp. A warm waterproof coat, scarf, hat, and gloves. Snow is occasional and light; expect grey, drizzly days.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
14.3°C
5.7°C
15.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
22.3°C
13.3°C
13.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
7.7°C
15/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current6.7°C
1.3°C
17.7/mo
Brussels Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | 1° | 19d·75mm | 1.8h | 86% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 7° | 1° | 16d·65mm | 2.6h | 83% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 3° | 16d·65mm | 3.8h | 78% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 5° | 15d·55mm | 5.2h | 73% | 4 | Busy | Peak | |
| May (Best) | 18° | 9° | 15d·65mm | 6.2h | 71% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 21° | 12° | 14d·70mm | 6.6h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 23° | 14° | 13d·75mm | 7h | 71% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 23° | 14° | 13d·75mm | 6.4h | 73% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 20° | 11° | 13d·60mm | 5h | 76% | 4 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 15° | 8° | 15d·75mm | 3.6h | 82% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 4° | 17d·75mm | 2h | 86% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | 2° | 18d·80mm | 1.6h | 87% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Brussels December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Brussels?
Brussels in December is moderate. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Brussels in December?
Brussels December averages a high of 7°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in Brussels in December?
Brussels December averages 80mm of rainfall over about 18 rainy days.
What should I wear in Brussels in December?
Cold and festive — around 7°C/2°C with the shortest days and frequent damp. A warm waterproof coat, scarf, hat, and gloves. Snow is occasional and light; expect grey, drizzly days.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Brussels in December?
Brussels December sunrise is 08:40 and sunset is 16:40, with 8h 00min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Brussels in December?
Brussels December air quality (AQI) averages 44, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 17μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Brussels in December?
In December, Brussels is great for Winter Wonders Christmas market, Grand-Place sound-and-light show, Ice skating at Sainte-Catherine.
Is December peak season in Brussels?
Brussels December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Brussels
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.