Bulgaria Plovdiv Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Plovdiv is high
December is high for Plovdiv.
December is Plovdiv's most-affecting winter month. The Christmas market on the central pedestrian street (smaller than Vienna's but more atmospheric in Plovdiv's heritage walkable setting — Bulgarian-coffee + boza + banitsa-and-mulled-wine stalls + handmade Bulgarian crafts + carolers). Bulgarian Orthodox Christmas Eve falls January 6, not December — so December 24-25 sees light celebrations at the small Catholic community church + the secular New Year's preparation. December also brings Plovdiv's deepest darkness — only 9 hours of daylight, sunset at 16:55. Pamporovo + Rhodope ski season at full operation 1h south.
Travel score
Plovdiv Christmas market + Pamporovo ski + Old Town winter atmosphere
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 43°F / 6°C highs and 30°F / -1°C lows with 50mm precipitation (often mixed rain/sleet/snow) over 9 wet days. Humidity 80%. Sunshine 2h daily — year's lowest tied with November + January. Daylight only 9h — sunrise 07:40, sunset 16:55. Wind chill brings felt temperature to -5°C. First sustained snow typically early-to-mid December. The shortest, darkest, wettest, most-atmospheric month of the year for Plovdiv's winter Old Town setting.
December Travel Advice
Plovdiv Christmas market on the central pedestrian street runs late November through early January — smaller than Vienna's or Sofia's but distinctly Bulgarian (Bulgarian-coffee + boza + banitsa-and-mulled-wine stalls + handmade Bulgarian crafts + folklore carolers). Many restaurants close December 31 + January 1; verify before booking. New Year's Eve central pedestrian street + Kapana fireworks at midnight. Pamporovo + Rhodope ski season at full operation 1h south — lift pass BGN 50-70 / $28-39.
December Pricing Trends
Year's near-peak for atmosphere: Hotel Hebros $130-220/night (Christmas market weeks $150-260), mid-range 4-star $80-150. Flights from EU $140-320. Book by April-May for December Christmas market + Christmas travel.
Plovdiv December Weather Stats
Avg High
6°C
Avg Low
-1°C
Rainy Days
9
50mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
humid
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 28
Sea Temp
6°C
no swimming
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
35 μg/m³
PM10
58 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
4°C
Nighttime
-5°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 28 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Plovdiv Christmas market on central pedestrian street (open through early January)
- New Year's Eve central pedestrian + Kapana fireworks
- First snow often arrives early-to-mid December (atmospheric Old Town)
- Pamporovo + Rhodope ski season at full operation
- Modern Bulgarian fine-dining at Hebros + Pavaj winter atmospheric
- Indoor museum + Bulgarian wine cellar season
Cons
- 6/-1°C wet cold + -5°C wind chill
- Only 9h daylight (sunrise 07:40, sunset 16:55)
- Hotels at moderate-high rates (Christmas market premium)
- Rain/sleet/snow mix on cobblestones common
- Many restaurants close Dec 31 + Jan 1
- Air quality moderate (wood-burning + valley topography)
December Events & Festivals
- Plovdiv Christmas market (central pedestrian street — open through early January)
- Catholic Christmas (December 24-25 — small Catholic community)
- Orthodox Christmas Eve (January 6 — celebrated by Bulgarian-Orthodox majority)
- New Year's Eve (central pedestrian street + Kapana fireworks)
- Pamporovo + Rhodope ski season at full operation
Plovdiv in December — Full Picture
December is Plovdiv's most-affecting winter month. The Christmas market on the central pedestrian street (smaller than Vienna's but more atmospheric in Plovdiv's heritage walkable setting — Bulgarian-coffee + boza + banitsa-and-mulled-wine stalls + handmade Bulgarian crafts + carolers). Bulgarian Orthodox Christmas Eve falls January 6, not December — so December 24-25 sees light celebrations at the small Catholic community church + the secular New Year's preparation. December also brings Plovdiv's deepest darkness — only 9 hours of daylight, sunset at 16:55. Pamporovo + Rhodope ski season at full operation 1h south.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Deep winter wet cold. Warm jacket (-8°C rated), thermal base layer (Merino), waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf, gloves, hat, hand warmers. Cardigan layer for indoor temperature shifts (Plovdiv restaurants run very hot in winter).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
18°C
7°C
9/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
29°C
17.3°C
7.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
18.3°C
8.3°C
8.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current6.3°C
-1.7°C
8/mo
Plovdiv Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5° | -3° | 8d·40mm | 2h | 78% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | -1° | 7d·35mm | 3h | 75% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 13° | 2° | 8d·45mm | 4h | 70% | 3 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 18° | 7° | 9d·50mm | 6h | 67% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 23° | 12° | 10d·60mm | 7h | 65% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 27° | 16° | 10d·65mm | 9h | 62% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 30° | 18° | 7d·50mm | 11h | 58% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 30° | 18° | 5d·35mm | 11h | 60% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
| 25° | 14° | 7d·45mm | 8h | 65% | 5 | Busy | Peak | |
| 19° | 8° | 9d·55mm | 5h | 72% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 3° | 10d·50mm | 3h | 78% | 1 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 6° | -1° | 9d·50mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Plovdiv December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Plovdiv?
Plovdiv in December is high. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Plovdiv in December?
Plovdiv December averages a high of 6°C and a low of -1°C.
Does it rain much in Plovdiv in December?
Plovdiv December averages 50mm of rainfall over about 9 rainy days.
What should I wear in Plovdiv in December?
Deep winter wet cold. Warm jacket (-8°C rated), thermal base layer (Merino), waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf, gloves, hat, hand warmers. Cardigan layer for indoor temperature shifts (Plovdiv restaurants run very hot in winter).
What time are sunrise and sunset in Plovdiv in December?
Plovdiv December sunrise is 07:40 and sunset is 16:55, with 9h 15min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Plovdiv in December?
Plovdiv December air quality (AQI) averages 85, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 35μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Plovdiv in December?
In December, Plovdiv is great for Plovdiv Christmas market on central pedestrian street (open through early January), New Year's Eve central pedestrian + Kapana fireworks, National Revival mansion museums + Ethnographic Museum + Regional Historical Museum indoor.
Is December peak season in Plovdiv?
Plovdiv December crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Plovdiv
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.