December in Edinburgh averages highs of 8 °C (46 °F) and lows of 3 °C (38 °F), with about 12 rainy days and 6 h 59 min of daylight.
December weather in Edinburgh at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Tough month: cold and wet. December is usually high season in Edinburgh: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day public holiday
- Mon 28 Dec: St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) public holiday
- Hogmanay New Year celebrations from 30 December to 1 January event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Edinburgh in December
With cold days in December, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Edinburgh Castle — book ahead indoors
- National Museum of Scotland — free indoors
- Royal Mile outdoors
- Arthur's Seat — an hour up an extinct volcano outdoors
- Calton Hill — sunset outdoors
- Dean Village and the Water of Leith outdoors
Where to stay: Old Town for the castle and Royal Mile; New Town for elegant streets; Leith for food and value.
What to pack for Edinburgh in December
- A warm winter coat, hat and gloves: it rarely gets above 8 °C (46 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 12 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Edinburgh costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | £50–120 | £150–320 |
Excluding flights. December is usually high season in Edinburgh: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 10° / 5° | 12 | Tough month |
| London | 9° / 4° | 10 | Tough month |
| Amsterdam | 8° / 4° | 12 | Tough month |
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and wet, with average highs of 8 °C (46 °F) and about 12 rainy days. December is usually high season in Edinburgh: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are May, June, July.
How warm is Edinburgh in December?
Average highs are 8 °C (46 °F) and lows 3 °C (38 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in December?
Expect about 12 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 99 mm in total. It is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Edinburgh.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.