Austria Vienna Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Vienna is Challenging
December is Challenging for Vienna.
December is deep winter. Daytime 4°C, nighttime -1°C. Sunset 16:15. Christmas markets at peak — Vienna's biggest tourist event of the year.
Vienna New Year's Concert (Dec 30 evening preview + Jan 1 main) at Musikverein — tickets via lottery 1 year ahead. New Year's Eve at Rathausplatz with public viewing + waltz dance lessons + fireworks — Vienna's most-iconic NYE celebration.
Travel score
Christmas markets + NYE countdown + #1 atmosphere of the year
December Weather at a Glance
Vienna in December averages 39°F / 4°C high and 30°F / -1°C low. 1.5 hours sunshine, 50mm rain/snow, 11 rainy/snowy days. Darkest + Eastern Europe's #1 Christmas markets. Sunrise 7:30 AM, sunset 4 PM.
December Travel Advice
Heavy coat + gloves + scarf + hand warmers + waterproof boots required. Christkindlmarkt 5 markets peak (late Nov-Dec 26, mulled wine + Käsekrainer sausages + roasted Maroni chestnuts) + Dec 24 Heiligabend (nearly all shops/restaurants close 4 PM) + Dec 31 Silvester (City Hall plaza fireworks + Donaukanal countdown).
Flying In from Overseas
Korea year-end holiday (Dec 20-Jan 5) prices peak — Seoul-VIE $1,330-1,870 (connections). First week of December is the last value window + NYE (Dec 30-Jan 2) sees hotels 1.5-2× normal.
December Pricing Trends
Peak-back — 1st district 4-star $200-350/night (Dec 30-Jan 2 1.5×). Ringstraße 5-star $390-800.
Vienna December Weather Stats
Avg High
4°C
Avg Low
-1°C
Rainy Days
12
45mm total
Sunshine
1.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
Comfortable
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 26
Sea Temp
5°C
Cold
Snow Days
5
Monthly avg
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 5 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
32 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
1°C
Nighttime
-4°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 26 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas markets at peak
- Vienna's most-cultural month
- NYE celebration unique
Cons
- Shortest daylight + cold
- Christmas/NYE hotel prices spike
- December 24-26 most restaurants close
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas markets peak
- Vienna New Year's Concert (Dec 31)
- NYE fireworks at Rathausplatz
Vienna in December — Full Picture
December is deep winter. Daytime 4°C, nighttime -1°C. Sunset 16:15. Christmas markets at peak — Vienna's biggest tourist event of the year.
Vienna New Year's Concert (Dec 30 evening preview + Jan 1 main) at Musikverein — tickets via lottery 1 year ahead. New Year's Eve at Rathausplatz with public viewing + waltz dance lessons + fireworks — Vienna's most-iconic NYE celebration.
Hotel prices spike for last 10 days of December.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy winter coat + thermal layers + scarf + gloves + knitted hat. Waterproof boots.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.7°C
5.3°C
11.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
26.3°C
14.3°C
12/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
6.7°C
10/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current4°C
-2°C
12.7/mo
Vienna Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3° | -3° | 14d·38mm | 2h | 78% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -2° | 12d·33mm | 3h | 73% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 1° | 11d·39mm | 4.5h | 64% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 17° | 5° | 11d·47mm | 6h | 60% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 22° | 10° | 12d·65mm | 7.5h | 58% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 25° | 13° | 12d·70mm | 7.5h | 60% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 27° | 15° | 13d·80mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 27° | 15° | 11d·70mm | 7.5h | 60% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 22° | 11° | 10d·50mm | 6h | 65% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 15° | 6° | 9d·40mm | 4.5h | 73% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 8° | 3° | 11d·50mm | 2h | 78% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 4° | -1° | 12d·45mm | 1.5h | 80% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Vienna December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Vienna?
Vienna in December is Challenging. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Vienna in December?
Vienna December averages a high of 4°C and a low of -1°C.
Does it rain much in Vienna in December?
Vienna December averages 45mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in Vienna in December?
Heavy winter coat + thermal layers + scarf + gloves + knitted hat. Waterproof boots.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Vienna in December?
Vienna December sunrise is 07:50 and sunset is 16:10, with 8h 20m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Vienna in December?
Vienna December air quality (AQI) averages 48, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Vienna in December?
In December, Vienna is great for Christmas markets peak (Rathausplatz + Schönbrunn), Vienna New Year's Concert, NYE at Rathausplatz.
Is December peak season in Vienna?
Vienna December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Vienna
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.