London · United Kingdom
December
Christmas lights on Regent Street, mulled wine in Borough Market — cold but London earns its festive reputation.
Strong option
#12 of 12 months
There are better months for London — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
8°C
Low
4°C
Rain
58mm
Sun
1.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in London
Weather
Below average
Value
Good
Crowds
Above average
Events
Very good
Atmosphere
Excellent
What you gain in December
- ↑Oxford Street and Carnaby Street Christmas lights — free, spectacular, and best experienced on a weekday evening
- ↑Borough Market at its most festive: mulled wine, roast chestnuts, and seasonal produce in a covered market atmosphere
- ↑NYE fireworks over the Thames (31 December) — one of the world's most televised celebrations; ticketed viewing spots book months ahead
What you sacrifice
- ↓Fewest sunshine hours of the year — only 1.5 hours daily; the city is dark by 3:45pm
- ↓Christmas week and NYE see hotel rates spike to peak-summer levels or beyond in central areas
- ↓Post-Christmas London (26–30 December) is a retail and transport oddity — many restaurants closed, tubes disrupted, city in limbo
How December compares to May (best month)
| Factor | December | May ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 3 | 8 |
| Value | 6 | 6 |
| Crowds | 5 | 6 |
December in other destinations
Lisbon (14.4°C)Barcelona (13.8°C)Tokyo (12°C)Bali (30.3°C)Santorini (14.5°C)Paris (6.9°C)New York (5.1°C)Marrakech (18.1°C)Amsterdam (6.4°C)Maldives (30°C)Rome (11.7°C)Bangkok (30.4°C)Istanbul (9.4°C)Vienna (3°C)Seoul (3.7°C)Dubrovnik (11.6°C)Rio de Janeiro (29.5°C)Kyoto (11.3°C)Phuket (31.8°C)Cape Town (25.6°C)Prague (3°C)Amalfi Coast (13°C)Mexico City (21°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (30°C)Sydney (26°C)Iceland (2°C)Tulum (28°C)Dubai (25°C)Singapore (30°C)Hoi An (24°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within London, not across destinations. Methodology →