Canada Niagara Falls Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Niagara Falls is low
Niagara Falls Weather in December — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 2° / -4°
- Rainfall
- 80mm · 16 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Niagara Falls in December averages a high of 2°C and low of -4°C with 80mm of rain over about 16 days. Cold winter — around 2°C/-4°C with snow and biting wind. A heavy insulated coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and waterproof boots with grip; frozen mist makes walkways near the falls icy.
December is low for Niagara Falls.
December at Niagara Falls is cold and festive — around 2°C/-4°C, with snow and the Winter Festival of Lights at its peak.
The boat cruise is closed for the season (river ice), so the close-up options are Journey Behind the Falls and the observation towers. The frozen mist starts coating the railings and gorge in ice, and the falls are illuminated every night.
Travel score
Niagara Falls December Weather Stats
Avg High
2°C
Avg Low
-4°C
Rainy Days
16
80mm total
Sunshine
2.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
dry
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
19 km/h
Gusts 36
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
20 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-3°C
Nighttime
-10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
19 km/h
Max gust 36 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Winter Festival of Lights at its peak
- Festive holiday atmosphere and NYE fireworks
- Falls illuminated nightly against snow
- Quiet and mid-priced outside the holidays
Cons
- Cold, often below freezing
- Boat cruise closed (river ice)
- Icy walkways near the falls
- Holiday-week crowds and prices
December Events & Festivals
- Winter Festival of Lights in full swing (illuminated displays along the Parkway)
- Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations and fireworks
- Niagara Falls illuminated nightly
- Boat cruise closed for winter
Niagara Falls in December — Full Picture
December at Niagara Falls is cold and festive — around 2°C/-4°C, with snow and the Winter Festival of Lights at its peak.
The boat cruise is closed for the season (river ice), so the close-up options are Journey Behind the Falls and the observation towers. The frozen mist starts coating the railings and gorge in ice, and the falls are illuminated every night.
The Winter Festival of Lights is the December highlight — large illuminated displays along the Niagara Parkway and around the falls, free to walk, drawing visitors despite the cold. New Year's Eve typically brings a celebration and fireworks over the falls, with a corresponding crowd-and-price bump around the holidays.
Outside the Christmas-to-New-Year window, December is a relatively quiet, mid-priced winter month. Dress for serious cold and icy footing — boots with grip, a heavy coat, and gloves — and watch the gorge wind. Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries are open with festive and ice-wine offerings.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold winter — around 2°C/-4°C with snow and biting wind. A heavy insulated coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and waterproof boots with grip; frozen mist makes walkways near the falls icy.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
12°C
3°C
13.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
25.7°C
16.3°C
10.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
7.3°C
12.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current0.3°C
-6°C
15.7/mo
Niagara Falls Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1° | -7° | 17d·75mm | 3h | 80% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 0° | -7° | 14d·65mm | 4h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -3° | 14d·70mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 12° | 3° | 13d·80mm | 6h | 70% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 19° | 9° | 13d·85mm | 7.5h | 70% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| June (Best) | 24° | 14° | 12d·80mm | 8.5h | 70% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| 27° | 18° | 10d·75mm | 9.5h | 70% | 8 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 26° | 17° | 10d·80mm | 9h | 70% | 7 | Very busy | Peak | |
| September (Best) | 22° | 13° | 11d·85mm | 7h | 72% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 15° | 7° | 12d·75mm | 5.5h | 73% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 8° | 2° | 14d·85mm | 3h | 78% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 2° | -4° | 16d·80mm | 2.5h | 80% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Niagara Falls December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls in December is low. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Niagara Falls in December?
Niagara Falls December averages a high of 2°C and a low of -4°C.
Does it rain much in Niagara Falls in December?
Niagara Falls December averages 80mm of rainfall over about 16 rainy days.
What should I wear in Niagara Falls in December?
Cold winter — around 2°C/-4°C with snow and biting wind. A heavy insulated coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and waterproof boots with grip; frozen mist makes walkways near the falls icy.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Niagara Falls in December?
Niagara Falls December sunrise is 07:45 and sunset is 16:45, with 9h 00min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Niagara Falls in December?
Niagara Falls December air quality (AQI) averages 34, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Niagara Falls in December?
In December, Niagara Falls is great for Winter Festival of Lights, Journey Behind the Falls, Night illumination + NYE fireworks.
Is December peak season in Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls December crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Niagara Falls
View Other Months
Planning a December trip to Niagara Falls?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
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.