Canada Toronto Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Toronto is Moderate
December is Moderate for Toronto.
December brings midwinter + heavy snow + Christmas Market peak. -5 to 1°C + 3 sunshine hours + heavy snow + ice. 'Toronto Christmas Market' (Nov 30-Dec 24, Distillery District, 700,000 visitors, 1832 Victorian industrial cobblestone + 50,000 LEDs + 12m Christmas tree + German-style market) is the year's top event.
'Cavalcade of Lights' (first Saturday of December, City Hall + Nathan Phillips Square light-up, founded 1967) + 'Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights' (November-January, falls light-up, 3km course).
Travel score
Christmas Market peak + Cavalcade of Lights + NHL + NBA — year's busiest holiday period
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 34°F / 1°C highs and 23°F / -5°C lows with 3 sunshine hours (year's low). 12 snow days, 55mm precipitation. Polar vortex weeks can drop -20°C. The Toronto Christmas Market (Nov 30-Dec 24, Distillery District) peaks December — 700,000 visitors, German-style market, 50,000 LEDs, 12m Christmas tree. Cavalcade of Lights (first Saturday of December, City Hall + Nathan Phillips Square light-up, founded 1967) + Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights (November-January, falls light-up + 3km course).
December Travel Advice
Same heavy winter layering as January — heavy down parka + waterproof anti-slip boots + beanie + scarf + gloves + hand warmers. Christmas Market weekday evenings (Mon-Thu free) vs weekend evenings (CAD 8 admission). NHL Maple Leafs + NBA Raptors season at peak — both at Scotiabank Arena. December 25 + January 1 hotel rates double — book 3-4 months ahead. PATH underground essential.
Flying In from Overseas
Year's peak international inbound from Asia, Europe, US. Korean year-end + January 1 travel drives airfare spike. Direct flights from Seoul CAD 1,800-2,800 (Korean Air, Air Canada — December 25 + January 1 weeks tightest). Tokyo CAD 1,600-2,400. London CAD 1,000-1,600. Most expensive flight window of the year. Niagara Falls Winter Lights + Distillery Christmas Market are bucket-list draws.
December Pricing Trends
Year's peak hotel pricing: Downtown 4-star CAD 450-800/night (USD 335-595), Yorkville luxury CAD 800-1,800 (USD 595-1,335), boutique CAD 320-600. Christmas-NYE week (December 22-January 2) +50-100% surge. December 1-19 is smart window (same weather, 60% of holiday pricing).
Toronto December Weather Stats
Avg High
1°C
Avg Low
-5°C
Rainy Days
12
55mm total
Sunshine
3h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Dry
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
17 km/h
Gusts 38
Sea Temp
3°C
Not swimmable
Snow Days
12
Monthly avg
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 12 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
20 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-2°C
Nighttime
-10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
17 km/h
Max gust 38 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Toronto Christmas Market peak
- Cavalcade of Lights + Niagara Lights
- NHL + NBA season peak
Cons
- Heavy snow + 3 sunshine hours
- Korean year-end airfare + hotels 2x
- Dec 25 + Jan 1 — some restaurants closed
December Events & Festivals
- Toronto Christmas Market — late November to December 24 (Distillery District, 700,000)
- Cavalcade of Lights — first Saturday of December (City Hall light-up)
- Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights — November to January (falls light-up)
Toronto in December — Full Picture
December brings midwinter + heavy snow + Christmas Market peak. -5 to 1°C + 3 sunshine hours + heavy snow + ice. 'Toronto Christmas Market' (Nov 30-Dec 24, Distillery District, 700,000 visitors, 1832 Victorian industrial cobblestone + 50,000 LEDs + 12m Christmas tree + German-style market) is the year's top event.
'Cavalcade of Lights' (first Saturday of December, City Hall + Nathan Phillips Square light-up, founded 1967) + 'Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights' (November-January, falls light-up, 3km course).
NHL Maple Leafs + NBA Raptors season peak + Dec 25 + Jan 1 hotel rates 2x + 3-4 months ahead booking essential.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Midwinter. Heavy down parka + waterproof boots + beanie + gloves essential. Like mid-January in Korea. Heavy snow + ice.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
11°C
2.3°C
12.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
25.7°C
15.3°C
10.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
14.3°C
6.3°C
11/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current0°C
-6.7°C
11.7/mo
Toronto Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1° | -8° | 12d·51mm | 3.5h | 73% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 0° | -7° | 11d·47mm | 4.5h | 71% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 4° | -3° | 12d·56mm | 5.5h | 68% | 3 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 2° | 13d·70mm | 7h | 65% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 18° | 8° | 13d·80mm | 8h | 64% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 24° | 13° | 11d·75mm | 9.5h | 65% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 27° | 17° | 11d·70mm | 10h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 26° | 16° | 10d·80mm | 9.5h | 67% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 22° | 12° | 11d·75mm | 8h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| 14° | 6° | 11d·65mm | 6.5h | 73% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | 1° | 11d·65mm | 4h | 75% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 1° | -5° | 12d·55mm | 3h | 75% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Toronto December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Toronto?
Toronto in December is Moderate. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Toronto in December?
Toronto December averages a high of 1°C and a low of -5°C.
Does it rain much in Toronto in December?
Toronto December averages 55mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in Toronto in December?
Midwinter. Heavy down parka + waterproof boots + beanie + gloves essential. Like mid-January in Korea. Heavy snow + ice.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Toronto in December?
Toronto December sunrise is 07:45 and sunset is 16:45, with 9h of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Toronto in December?
Toronto December air quality (AQI) averages 32, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Toronto in December?
In December, Toronto is great for Toronto Christmas Market, Cavalcade of Lights, Niagara Lights.
Is December peak season in Toronto?
Toronto December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Toronto
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.