Germany Hamburg Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Hamburg is moderate
December is moderate for Hamburg.
December in Hamburg is cold, grey, and dark — the shortest days of the year — but the Christmas markets make it genuinely magical. It averages around 5°C/0°C with damp air, harbor wind, occasional frost, and only the rare dusting of snow.
The Weihnachtsmärkte are the reason to come: the historic Town Hall (Rathaus) market with its flying-Santa show, the brick-canal Speicherstadt market, and the adults-leaning 'Santa Pauli' on the Reeperbahn — all Glühwein, roasted almonds, and festive lights against the early dark. They run until December 23. Pair them with warming indoor sights — Miniatur Wunderland, the Elbphilharmonie, the museums — for a cozy winter trip.
Travel score
Hamburg December Weather Stats
Avg High
5°C
Avg Low
0°C
Rainy Days
17
64mm total
Sunshine
1h
Daily avg
Humidity
89%
damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
21 km/h
Gusts 44
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
12 μg/m³
PM10
20 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
2°C
Nighttime
-3°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
21 km/h
Max gust 44 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas markets in full swing (until Dec 23)
- Festive lights and Glühwein
- New Year's Eve harbor fireworks
- Cozy indoor culture for the cold
Cons
- Cold, grey, and the shortest days
- Many closures over Dec 24-26
- Higher prices and weekend crowds
- Damp harbor wind, very little sun
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas markets (until Dec 23) — Town Hall, Speicherstadt, 'Santa Pauli'
- Christmas (Dec 25-26) — public holidays, many places closed
- New Year's Eve (Dec 31) — harbor fireworks
- Festive lights across the city
Hamburg in December — Full Picture
December in Hamburg is cold, grey, and dark — the shortest days of the year — but the Christmas markets make it genuinely magical. It averages around 5°C/0°C with damp air, harbor wind, occasional frost, and only the rare dusting of snow.
The Weihnachtsmärkte are the reason to come: the historic Town Hall (Rathaus) market with its flying-Santa show, the brick-canal Speicherstadt market, and the adults-leaning 'Santa Pauli' on the Reeperbahn — all Glühwein, roasted almonds, and festive lights against the early dark. They run until December 23. Pair them with warming indoor sights — Miniatur Wunderland, the Elbphilharmonie, the museums — for a cozy winter trip.
Note the Christmas holidays (Dec 24-26) close many shops, restaurants, and sights, and New Year's Eve brings harbor fireworks. Market season and the holidays push up hotel prices and weekend crowds.
Pack a warm, windproof, waterproof coat and accept very little daylight. December suits travelers who want the Christmas-market atmosphere over weather.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter — around 5°C/0°C, cold, grey, and damp with the shortest days, occasional frost, and rare light snow. A warm winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf, plus a windproof, waterproof layer. Christmas-market season is the highlight.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
13°C
4.3°C
13.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
21.3°C
12.3°C
13.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
13°C
7°C
14.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current4.7°C
-0.7°C
16.7/mo
Hamburg Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4° | -1° | 18d·64mm | 1.5h | 87% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -1° | 15d·47mm | 2.5h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 1° | 14d·51mm | 3.5h | 81% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 13° | 4° | 13d·46mm | 5h | 75% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 18° | 8° | 13d·54mm | 7h | 71% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 20° | 11° | 14d·75mm | 7.5h | 71% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 22° | 13° | 14d·84mm | 7h | 73% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 22° | 13° | 13d·79mm | 6.5h | 75% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 18° | 11° | 13d·68mm | 5h | 79% | 4 | Busy | Peak | |
| 13° | 7° | 14d·64mm | 3h | 84% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 8° | 3° | 16d·64mm | 1.5h | 88% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 5° | 0° | 17d·64mm | 1h | 89% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Hamburg December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Hamburg?
Hamburg in December is moderate. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Hamburg in December?
Hamburg December averages a high of 5°C and a low of 0°C.
Does it rain much in Hamburg in December?
Hamburg December averages 64mm of rainfall over about 17 rainy days.
What should I wear in Hamburg in December?
Winter — around 5°C/0°C, cold, grey, and damp with the shortest days, occasional frost, and rare light snow. A warm winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf, plus a windproof, waterproof layer. Christmas-market season is the highlight.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Hamburg in December?
Hamburg December sunrise is 08:25 and sunset is 16:00, with 7h 35min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Hamburg in December?
Hamburg December air quality (AQI) averages 33, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 12μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Hamburg in December?
In December, Hamburg is great for Christmas markets (Town Hall, Speicherstadt, Santa Pauli), Miniatur Wunderland and museums, Elbphilharmonie concert + Plaza.
Is December peak season in Hamburg?
Hamburg December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Hamburg
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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.