Ireland Dublin Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Dublin is moderate
December is moderate for Dublin.
December is the darkest month — the shortest days of the year (around 7.5 hours, with the sun setting near 16:15) — but Dublin dresses up festively, with Christmas lights along Grafton and Henry Streets, markets, and packed, cozy pubs.
The weather is cold, damp, and dim, averaging 8°C/3°C; hard frosts happen but snow is uncommon and rarely settles. It's raw and wet rather than deep-freeze cold.
Travel score
Dublin December Weather Stats
Avg High
8°C
Avg Low
3°C
Rainy Days
13
75mm total
Sunshine
1.6h
Daily avg
Humidity
86%
damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 38
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
9 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
5°C
Nighttime
0°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 38 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Festive lights, markets, and atmosphere
- Cozy pub and museum season
- New Year's Eve celebrations
- Mild for the latitude — rarely freezing hard
Cons
- Shortest, darkest days (dark by ~16:15)
- Most things closed Dec 25-26
- Cold, damp, and grey
- Pre-Christmas crowds and higher prices
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas markets, lights & shopping (Grafton/Henry Street)
- Christmas Day (Dec 25) & St Stephen's Day (Dec 26) — most things closed
- New Year's Eve celebrations
- Shortest, darkest days of the year
Dublin in December — Full Picture
December is the darkest month — the shortest days of the year (around 7.5 hours, with the sun setting near 16:15) — but Dublin dresses up festively, with Christmas lights along Grafton and Henry Streets, markets, and packed, cozy pubs.
The weather is cold, damp, and dim, averaging 8°C/3°C; hard frosts happen but snow is uncommon and rarely settles. It's raw and wet rather than deep-freeze cold.
The run-up to Christmas is festive and busy — shopping crowds and rising hotel prices — and the city has a real seasonal buzz. Note that on Christmas Day (Dec 25) and St Stephen's Day (Dec 26) almost everything closes, including most attractions, restaurants, and public transport on the 25th, so plan around it.
New Year's Eve brings celebrations and events around the city. Outside the holiday closures, it's a good time for indoor Dublin and snug pubs with the festive atmosphere.
Note: pack for cold, damp, and very short days, and check opening hours carefully over the Christmas period — many places shut for several days.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter — cold, damp, and the darkest month at around 8°C/3°C, with the shortest days (~7.5h light, dark by 16:15). A warm waterproof coat, sweater, hat, gloves, scarf, and waterproof shoes. Snow uncommon.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
12.3°C
5.7°C
11/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
19°C
11.7°C
11/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
13.7°C
7.7°C
12.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current8°C
3°C
12.3/mo
Dublin Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8° | 3° | 13d·65mm | 1.8h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 3° | 11d·50mm | 2.6h | 84% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 4° | 11d·55mm | 3.5h | 81% | 2 | Busy | Peak | |
| 12° | 5° | 11d·55mm | 5.2h | 78% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 15° | 8° | 11d·60mm | 6h | 77% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 18° | 11° | 11d·65mm | 6h | 76% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 20° | 12° | 11d·55mm | 5.5h | 76% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 19° | 12° | 11d·70mm | 5h | 78% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| 17° | 10° | 11d·65mm | 4.2h | 80% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 14° | 8° | 13d·80mm | 3.2h | 83% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 5° | 13d·75mm | 2h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 3° | 13d·75mm | 1.6h | 86% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Dublin December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Dublin?
Dublin in December is moderate. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Dublin in December?
Dublin December averages a high of 8°C and a low of 3°C.
Does it rain much in Dublin in December?
Dublin December averages 75mm of rainfall over about 13 rainy days.
What should I wear in Dublin in December?
Winter — cold, damp, and the darkest month at around 8°C/3°C, with the shortest days (~7.5h light, dark by 16:15). A warm waterproof coat, sweater, hat, gloves, scarf, and waterproof shoes. Snow uncommon.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Dublin in December?
Dublin December sunrise is 08:35 and sunset is 16:10, with 7h 35min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Dublin in December?
Dublin December air quality (AQI) averages 30, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 9μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Dublin in December?
In December, Dublin is great for Christmas markets & lights (Grafton/Henry St), Guinness Storehouse + Gravity Bar, Free museums + cozy festive pubs.
Is December peak season in Dublin?
Dublin December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Dublin
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.