Australia Sydney Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Sydney is Excellent
December is Excellent for Sydney.
December is summer — 25°C daytime, 17°C nights, sea at 22°C. The peak Sydney vacation month. Hotel prices at yearly peak from December 26.
New Year's Eve at Sydney Harbour is the world's largest NYE fireworks — 1.5 million+ spectators line the harbor for the 9:00 PM family fireworks + midnight main show. Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Kirribilli, Bradleys Head all give views. Tickets at premium spots (Opera House, Bondi Icebergs) book 8-12 months ahead.
Travel score
Sydney December Weather Stats
Avg High
25°C
Avg Low
17°C
Rainy Days
11
78mm total
Sunshine
7.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
62%
Comfortable
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
17 km/h
Gusts 36
Sea Temp
22°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
12 μg/m³
PM10
24 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
29°C
Nighttime
17°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
17 km/h
Max gust 36 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Summer beach + harbor weather at peak
- World's largest NYE fireworks at Sydney Harbour
- Beach Christmas at Bondi (unique Australian experience)
Cons
- Yearly-peak hotel rates (book 6-9 months ahead)
- Beaches at maximum capacity Dec 26-Jan 5
- UV index 11 (extreme) — burn risk severe
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas Day at Bondi (beach Christmas tradition)
- NYE fireworks at Sydney Harbour (world's largest)
- Australian school summer holidays begin mid-December
Sydney in December — Full Picture
December is summer — 25°C daytime, 17°C nights, sea at 22°C. The peak Sydney vacation month. Hotel prices at yearly peak from December 26.
New Year's Eve at Sydney Harbour is the world's largest NYE fireworks — 1.5 million+ spectators line the harbor for the 9:00 PM family fireworks + midnight main show. Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Kirribilli, Bradleys Head all give views. Tickets at premium spots (Opera House, Bondi Icebergs) book 8-12 months ahead.
Christmas Day at Bondi Beach is the canonical Australian Christmas tradition — Santa hats + barbecue + cold beer on the sand. The opposite-of-Northern-Hemisphere Christmas experience.
Australian school holidays start mid-December — hotel prices double for last 2 weeks. Sydney bookings 6-9 months ahead for Christmas/NYE week.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Summer dress — T-shirts + shorts + swimwear. Sunscreen mandatory. Light jacket for evenings. Australian Christmas is summer beach Christmas.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
22°C
14.3°C
12.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
17°C
8.7°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
22°C
13.3°C
10.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current25.7°C
18.3°C
11.7/mo
Sydney Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 26° | 19° | 12d·102mm | 7.5h | 65% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 26° | 19° | 12d·117mm | 7h | 67% | 12 | Busy | Peak |
| 25° | 17° | 13d·130mm | 6.5h | 67% | 10 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 22° | 15° | 12d·127mm | 6.5h | 66% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 19° | 11° | 12d·121mm | 6h | 68% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 9° | 11d·132mm | 5.5h | 70% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 16° | 8° | 10d·98mm | 6h | 68% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 18° | 9° | 10d·81mm | 6.5h | 64% | 6 | Moderate | Low season | |
| September (Best) | 20° | 11° | 10d·70mm | 7h | 60% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| October (Best) | 22° | 13° | 11d·78mm | 7h | 60% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| November (Best) | 24° | 16° | 11d·84mm | 7.5h | 60% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
| December (Best) | 25° | 17° | 11d·78mm | 7.5h | 62% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Sydney December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Sydney?
Sydney in December is Excellent. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Sydney in December?
Sydney December averages a high of 25°C and a low of 17°C.
Does it rain much in Sydney in December?
Sydney December averages 78mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Sydney in December?
Summer dress — T-shirts + shorts + swimwear. Sunscreen mandatory. Light jacket for evenings. Australian Christmas is summer beach Christmas.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Sydney in December?
Sydney December sunrise is 05:39 and sunset is 19:58, with 14h 19m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Sydney in December?
Sydney December air quality (AQI) averages 38, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 12μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Sydney in December?
In December, Sydney is great for NYE fireworks at Sydney Harbour, Christmas Day at Bondi, Beach + swimming.
Is December peak season in Sydney?
Sydney December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Sydney
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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.