United Kingdom London Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in London is Festive
December is Festive for London.
Christmas in London is magic — lights, markets, ice rinks at Somerset House and Natural History Museum. Hotel prices spike around Christmas; book 4+ months ahead. Boxing Day sales (Dec 26) bring crowds back to Oxford Street; entire stores discount 30-50%. Christmas Day (Dec 25): NO public transport at all — plan carefully. New Year's Eve fireworks at London Eye require ticketed viewing (£15).
Travel score
Winter + Christmas + Korean year-end surge
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 46°F / 8°C highs and 39°F / 4°C lows — proper winter. 11 rainy days, 55mm. Humidity 85% + 2 hours of sunshine. Christmas on Oxford Street + Regent Street illumination + Winter Wonderland Hyde Park + Christmas Markets (Southbank, Leicester Square, Covent Garden).
December Travel Advice
Heavy coat + scarf + gloves + umbrella. December 25 Christmas Day (UK's #1 closure day — Tube/buses + restaurants/attractions 90% closed, beware!) + December 26 Boxing Day (public holiday, sales start). Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (November - early January, ice skating + Ferris wheel + Christmas market). December 31 New Year's Eve Thames fireworks (15 min, world top 5).
Flying In from Overseas
Korean year-end holiday (Dec 20 - Jan 5) drives 2x baseline — Asia-London $1,400-2,450 round-trip. First 2 weeks of December are the last value window.
December Pricing Trends
Year-end hotels 2-3x — Covent Garden 3-star $420-700/night. December 27-31 is the year's highest. Mayfair 5-star (Savoy, Ritz, Claridge's) $1,400-2,800.
London December Weather Stats
Avg High
8°C
Avg Low
3°C
Rainy Days
11
55mm total
Sunshine
1.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
81%
Damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 35
Sea Temp
10°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
30 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
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 35 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas lights + markets + ice skating
- Pantomime season in West End
- Boxing Day sales
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Cons
- Christmas Day: zero Tube/bus service
- Hotel prices spike Dec 22-26
- Wet, dark, cold — no snow charm
December Events & Festivals
- Winter Wonderland Hyde Park (mid-Nov to Jan 1)
- Carols at Royal Albert Hall (mid-Dec)
- Boxing Day sales (Dec 26)
- New Year's Eve fireworks at London Eye
London in December — Full Picture
Christmas in London is magic — lights, markets, ice rinks at Somerset House and Natural History Museum. Hotel prices spike around Christmas; book 4+ months ahead. Boxing Day sales (Dec 26) bring crowds back to Oxford Street; entire stores discount 30-50%. Christmas Day (Dec 25): NO public transport at all — plan carefully. New Year's Eve fireworks at London Eye require ticketed viewing (£15).
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Waterproof shoes essential. London Christmas is wet, not white — snow falls maybe 2-3 days a year and rarely settles.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
14°C
6.3°C
8.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
21.7°C
13.3°C
6.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
8°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current8.3°C
2.3°C
10.3/mo
London Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8° | 2° | 11d·55mm | 1.5h | 80% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 9° | 2° | 9d·40mm | 2h | 78% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 4° | 9d·40mm | 3.5h | 73% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 6° | 9d·45mm | 5h | 70% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 9° | 8d·45mm | 6.5h | 68% | 5 | Busy | Peak | |
| June (Best) | 20° | 12° | 7d·45mm | 7h | 65% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 23° | 14° | 6d·45mm | 7h | 65% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| 22° | 14° | 7d·50mm | 6.5h | 66% | 5 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 19° | 11° | 8d·50mm | 5h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak | |
| 15° | 8° | 10d·70mm | 3.5h | 76% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 5° | 10d·65mm | 2h | 79% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 8° | 3° | 11d·55mm | 1.5h | 81% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
London December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit London?
London in December is Festive. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in London in December?
London December averages a high of 8°C and a low of 3°C.
Does it rain much in London in December?
London December averages 55mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in London in December?
Heavy coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Waterproof shoes essential. London Christmas is wet, not white — snow falls maybe 2-3 days a year and rarely settles.
What time are sunrise and sunset in London in December?
London December sunrise is 08:00 and sunset is 15:55, with 7h 55m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in London in December?
London December air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in London in December?
In December, London is great for Christmas markets (Southbank, Leicester Square), Ice skating at Somerset House, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Is December peak season in London?
London December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit London
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.