December in London averages highs of 9 °C (49 °F) and lows of 4 °C (39 °F), with about 10 rainy days and 7 h 51 min of daylight.
December weather in London at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit London?
Tough month: cold and some rain. December is usually high season in London: 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
- Christmas markets and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park (late November to early 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 London in December
December's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Westminster and Big Ben — then a walk along the South Bank outdoors
- Hyde Park and Kensington — plus the free museums in South Kensington outdoors
- British Museum — free, huge, go with a plan indoors
- Tower of London and Tower Bridge — Crown Jewels inside indoors
- National Gallery and Trafalgar Square — free indoors
- Borough Market — lunch under cover indoors
Where to stay: South Bank or Covent Garden for sights on foot; King's Cross for transport; Shoreditch for nightlife.
What to pack for London in December
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 4 °C (39 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 10 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in London costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | £55–150 | £180–385 |
Excluding flights. December is usually high season in London: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 9° / 3° | 10 | Tough month |
| Amsterdam | 8° / 4° | 12 | Tough month |
| Dublin | 10° / 5° | 12 | Tough month |
Plan your London trip
- 3 Days in London Itinerary: First-Timer's Plan for 2026
- Is London Expensive? A Realistic Budget Guide for 2026
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 London?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 9 °C (49 °F) and about 10 rainy days. December is usually high season in London: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are June, July, August, September.
How warm is London in December?
Average highs are 9 °C (49 °F) and lows 4 °C (39 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in London in December?
Expect about 10 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 66 mm in total. It is the wettest month of the year in London.
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.