Romania Bucharest Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Bucharest is moderate
December is moderate for Bucharest.
December is Bucharest's Christmas-market month — the Bucharest Christmas market at Piața Constituției (early December through January 7 Orthodox Christmas) is the canonical atmospheric Bucharest evening experience. Sinaia + Brașov ski season opens mid-December (Carpathian Mountains 1-2h north of Bucharest). Cold (4°C high, -2°C low) + short daylight (9h) + indoor culture season + Christmas decorations across central Bucharest. December 1 Great Union Day national holiday + Revolution Anniversary Dec 21-25 + New Year's Eve fireworks at Bucharest central squares are canonical Romanian capital cultural moments. Hotels add 20-30% for Christmas weeks + 40-60% for New Year's Eve.
Travel score
Christmas market + Sinaia + Brașov ski opens + December 1 Great Union Day + Orthodox January 7
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 39°F / 4°C highs and 28°F / -2°C lows with 40mm precipitation over 10 wet/snow days. Humidity 82%. Sunshine 2h daily — year's least. Daylight shortest at 9h average. Wind chill -6°C on cold-snap days. Snow accumulation 10-25cm in central Bucharest, 100-200cm in Carpathian Mountains. UV index 1 — minimal. Air quality moderate-to-poor (winter wood-burning + automobile pollution).
December Travel Advice
December is Bucharest's Christmas atmospheric month — Piața Constituției Christmas market early December through January 7 is the canonical atmospheric evening. Sinaia + Brașov ski opens mid-December — Carpathian Mountains 1-2h north of Bucharest. Pre-book Christmas-week hotels 6-8 weeks ahead (20-30% premium); New Year's Eve hotels 10-12 weeks ahead (40-60% premium). Pack proper winter clothing + waterproof boots. Plan major outdoor walks for 10:00-15:00 daylight window.
December Pricing Trends
Christmas + New Year pricing climbs: Athénée Palace Hilton $140-260/night (Christmas weeks), $230-440 (New Year's Eve), mid-range 4-star $80-160 + $150-260 (NYE). Flights from EU $130-300. December early-month before Christmas markets retains November low-season pricing.
Bucharest December Weather Stats
Avg High
4°C
Avg Low
-2°C
Rainy Days
10
40mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
82%
humid
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
13 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
5°C
no swimming
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
38 μg/m³
PM10
64 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
2°C
Nighttime
-6°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
13 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Piața Constituției Christmas market — atmospheric canonical Bucharest evening experience
- Sinaia + Brașov ski season opens mid-December (Carpathian Mountains 1-2h north)
- Indoor culture + Romanian wine cellar + State Opera + Operetta + fine-dining season
- Orthodox Christmas January 7 — distinctive Romanian religious calendar
- Snow-covered Calea Victoriei + Romanian Athenaeum + Palace of Parliament visually striking
- December 1 Great Union Day national holiday + Revolution Anniversary Dec 21-25 atmospheric Romanian cultural moments
Cons
- Cold afternoons (-2°C lows with -6°C wind chill)
- Short daylight (9h — sunrise 07:50, sunset 16:50)
- Snow + ice on Bucharest cobblestones + Calea Victoriei (twisted-ankle risk)
- Christmas + New Year hotel pricing climbs 20-60%
- Outdoor Village Museum + Mogoșoaia chilly
December Events & Festivals
- Bucharest Christmas market at Piața Constituției early December through January 7 Orthodox Christmas (atmospheric Bucharest evening canonical)
- Sinaia + Brașov ski season opens mid-December
- December 1 Romania's Great Union Day national holiday (parades + memorial events)
- Western Christmas December 25 + Orthodox Christmas January 7
- Revolution Anniversary December 21-25 + New Year's Eve fireworks Bucharest central squares (December 31)
- Christmas season hotel pricing
Bucharest in December — Full Picture
December is Bucharest's Christmas-market month — the Bucharest Christmas market at Piața Constituției (early December through January 7 Orthodox Christmas) is the canonical atmospheric Bucharest evening experience. Sinaia + Brașov ski season opens mid-December (Carpathian Mountains 1-2h north of Bucharest). Cold (4°C high, -2°C low) + short daylight (9h) + indoor culture season + Christmas decorations across central Bucharest. December 1 Great Union Day national holiday + Revolution Anniversary Dec 21-25 + New Year's Eve fireworks at Bucharest central squares are canonical Romanian capital cultural moments. Hotels add 20-30% for Christmas weeks + 40-60% for New Year's Eve.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Full winter dress code. Warm jacket (-8°C rated) + thermal Merino base + fleece mid + scarf + gloves + warm hat + waterproof boots. Snow regular December through February. Hand warmers helpful for Christmas market evenings + Sinaia + Brașov ski days. Indoor cafés very hot — removable layers.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.7°C
6°C
10/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28°C
15.3°C
9.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
17.3°C
6.7°C
8.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current3.7°C
-3.3°C
9.7/mo
Bucharest Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | -5° | 10d·40mm | 2h | 82% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -3° | 9d·35mm | 3h | 79% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 1° | 9d·40mm | 4h | 73% | 3 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 6° | 10d·50mm | 5h | 70% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 22° | 11° | 11d·70mm | 7h | 70% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| June (Best) | 26° | 14° | 11d·80mm | 9h | 67% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 29° | 16° | 9d·65mm | 11h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 29° | 16° | 8d·50mm | 11h | 63% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 24° | 12° | 7d·45mm | 8h | 66% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 18° | 6° | 8d·50mm | 6h | 73% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 2° | 10d·50mm | 3h | 79% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 4° | -2° | 10d·40mm | 2h | 82% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Bucharest December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Bucharest?
Bucharest in December is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Bucharest in December?
Bucharest December averages a high of 4°C and a low of -2°C.
Does it rain much in Bucharest in December?
Bucharest December averages 40mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in Bucharest in December?
Full winter dress code. Warm jacket (-8°C rated) + thermal Merino base + fleece mid + scarf + gloves + warm hat + waterproof boots. Snow regular December through February. Hand warmers helpful for Christmas market evenings + Sinaia + Brașov ski days. Indoor cafés very hot — removable layers.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Bucharest in December?
Bucharest December sunrise is 07:50 and sunset is 16:50, with 9h of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Bucharest in December?
Bucharest December air quality (AQI) averages 95, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 38μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Bucharest in December?
In December, Bucharest is great for Piața Constituției Christmas market evenings (early December through January 7), Sinaia + Brașov ski season (Carpathian Mountains 1-2h north of Bucharest), Palace of Parliament + Romanian Athenaeum + Village Museum indoor circuit.
Is December peak season in Bucharest?
Bucharest December crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Bucharest
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.