France Lyon Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Lyon is high
December is high for Lyon.
December in Lyon is cold and festive, dominated by the Fête des Lumières. It averages 7°C/2°C with moderate rainfall (55mm), little sun, and the year's longest nights.
The Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), held over four nights around December 8, is Lyon's signature event — the city's facades, squares, and the Fourvière hill become light shows and art installations, drawing millions. Dating to 1852, it's free to wander, dazzling, and extremely crowded. Book accommodation months ahead, expect packed streets, surge pricing, and dress warmly for cold nights outdoors.
Travel score
Lyon December Weather Stats
Avg High
7°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
10
55mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
85%
damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 24
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
23 μg/m³
PM10
40 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
11 km/h
Max gust 24 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fête des Lumières — Lyon's signature spectacle
- Christmas markets and festive lights
- Cozy bouchon-and-mulled-wine atmosphere
- Magical (if crowded) city evenings
Cons
- Cold, grey, and damp
- Extreme crowds + surge pricing during the festival
- Year's highest prices over the holidays
- Very short days + little sun
December Events & Festivals
- Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights, around December 8, four nights) — Lyon's signature event
- Christmas markets and festive lights
- Christmas and New Year (peak prices)
- Cold, festive, very busy
Lyon in December — Full Picture
December in Lyon is cold and festive, dominated by the Fête des Lumières. It averages 7°C/2°C with moderate rainfall (55mm), little sun, and the year's longest nights.
The Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), held over four nights around December 8, is Lyon's signature event — the city's facades, squares, and the Fourvière hill become light shows and art installations, drawing millions. Dating to 1852, it's free to wander, dazzling, and extremely crowded. Book accommodation months ahead, expect packed streets, surge pricing, and dress warmly for cold nights outdoors.
Beyond the festival, Christmas markets, festive lights, and the cozy warmth of bouchons make for a classic winter-city visit. Christmas and New Year bring further crowds and peak prices.
Note: if the Fête des Lumières isn't your goal, the rest of December is simply cold, grey, and dear over the holidays — January and February are far cheaper and calmer. For the festival itself, it's a magical, once-seen experience; plan and book early.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold winter — around 7°C/2°C, damp with occasional frost. A warm coat, sweater, hat, gloves, and a scarf, especially for the Fête des Lumières evenings outdoors. Waterproof shoes for wet, cold streets.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.3°C
6.7°C
11/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
26.7°C
15.3°C
8.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
17.7°C
9°C
10.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current7°C
1.3°C
9.7/mo
Lyon Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | 1° | 10d·50mm | 2.5h | 84% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 1° | 9d·45mm | 3.5h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 13° | 4° | 10d·50mm | 5h | 73% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 16° | 6° | 11d·70mm | 6h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 20° | 10° | 12d·85mm | 6.5h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 24° | 14° | 10d·75mm | 7.5h | 65% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| 28° | 16° | 8d·65mm | 8.5h | 60% | 8 | Busy | Peak | |
| 28° | 16° | 7d·65mm | 8h | 60% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 24° | 13° | 9d·80mm | 6.5h | 68% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| 18° | 9° | 11d·95mm | 4.5h | 76% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 5° | 11d·75mm | 2.5h | 83% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | 2° | 10d·55mm | 2h | 85% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Lyon December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Lyon?
Lyon in December is high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Lyon in December?
Lyon December averages a high of 7°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in Lyon in December?
Lyon December averages 55mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in Lyon in December?
Cold winter — around 7°C/2°C, damp with occasional frost. A warm coat, sweater, hat, gloves, and a scarf, especially for the Fête des Lumières evenings outdoors. Waterproof shoes for wet, cold streets.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Lyon in December?
Lyon December sunrise is 08:05 and sunset is 16:55, with 8h 50min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Lyon in December?
Lyon December air quality (AQI) averages 53, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 23μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Lyon in December?
In December, Lyon is great for Fête des Lumières (around Dec 8), Christmas markets and festive lights, Bouchon dinners and mulled wine.
Is December peak season in Lyon?
Lyon December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Lyon
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.