Germany Munich Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Munich is high
Munich Weather in December — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 4° / -2°
- Rainfall
- 60mm · 11 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, Munich in December averages a high of 4°C and low of -2°C with 60mm of rain over about 11 days. Deep winter — heavy down coat, scarf, gloves, beanie, waterproof boots with grippy soles. Christmas market evenings require hand warmers and thermal base layers. Pack one dressier coat for Michelin or NYE dinners. Indoor Bavarian heating runs hot — layering matters.
December is high for Munich.
December is Munich at its most-romantic — and most-expensive outside Oktoberfest. The Münchner Christkindlmarkt runs through December 24 with the main Marienplatz market plus 7 satellites (Sendlinger Tor, Residenz, Englischer Garten Chinese Tower, Schwabing, Westend, etc.). Glühwein (mulled wine, €4-6) and Bratwurst (€5-7) every 50 meters, hand-carved Erzgebirge wooden ornaments, Lebkuchen gingerbread. Each market has a distinct character — Marienplatz is the canonical first-visit choice, Residenz market is the most-elegant (inside the royal palace courtyard), Schwabing is the locals' alternative.
The smart-money window is December 1-19 — full Christmas-market atmosphere at moderate pricing. December 24 is Heiligabend (Christmas Eve, most shops close 2 PM, restaurants book up). Dec 25-26 are full public holidays (almost everything closed except hotels + a few restaurants). Dec 29-Jan 2 is the year's second-biggest demand surge after Oktoberfest — Altstadt 4-star hits $250-410, 5-star $440-850.
Travel score
Christmas markets + Silvester fireworks + Munich's #1 atmosphere of the year
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 39°F / 4°C highs and 28°F / -2°C lows. Expect 1.5 hours of daily sunshine, 60mm rain or snow across 11 days, and the darkest, deepest winter of the year. Sunrise 7:50 AM, sunset 4:20 PM collapses daylight to 8.5 hours. Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz runs through Dec 24 with 7 satellite markets across the city; Silvester fireworks at Marienplatz and Olympiapark on Dec 31.
December Travel Advice
Heavy coat plus gloves plus a scarf plus hand warmers plus waterproof grippy boots — December weather is genuinely difficult and Christmas market evenings stand outdoors for hours. Münchner Christkindlmarkt (Marienplatz + Sendlinger Tor + Residenz + Englischer Garten + 4 more satellites, late Nov-Dec 24) is the season highlight — Glühwein €4-6, Bratwurst €5-7, Lebkuchen, hand-carved wooden ornaments. Dec 24 Heiligabend (Christmas Eve) most shops close 2 PM; Dec 25-26 are full public holidays (Christmas Day + Stephen's Day, almost everything closed). Dec 31 Silvester / NYE — Marienplatz + Olympiapark public fireworks; book restaurant NYE dinners 4-6 weeks ahead.
Flying In from Overseas
Korea year-end holidays (Dec 20-Jan 5) drive Asia-MUC to second-annual-peak — Seoul-MUC $1,050-1,450 (direct or 1-stop). Tokyo-MUC $1,150-1,550. From the Americas, NYC-MUC NYE week $900-1,500; LA-MUC $1,150-1,750. First week of December is the last value window. Dec 29-Jan 2 hotels run 1.5-2x normal rates.
December Pricing Trends
Annual #2 peak — Altstadt 4-star $225-370/night (Dec 1-19), $300-490 (Dec 22-Jan 2). 5-star $395-790 (Dec 1-19), $530-1,050 (Dec 22-Jan 2). Beer hall meal $26-40, Michelin tasting $260-490.
Munich December Weather Stats
Avg High
4°C
Avg Low
-2°C
Rainy Days
11
60mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
humid
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 35
Sea Temp
0°C
no swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
28 μg/m³
PM10
50 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
2°C
Nighttime
-4°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 35 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas market atmosphere is Munich's #1 December draw
- Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt + 7 satellite markets across the city
- Glühwein + Bratwurst + handcraft shopping every block
- Garmisch + Zugspitze ski season at peak
- Silvester Marienplatz + Olympiapark fireworks
Cons
- Dec 22-Jan 2 hits annual peak pricing (year's 2nd biggest after Oktoberfest)
- 4°C / 39°F highs and -2°C / 28°F lows
- 11 rainy or snowy days/month
- Daylight collapses to 4:20 PM
- Dec 24-26 most shops + restaurants closed for Christmas
December Events & Festivals
- Münchner Christkindlmarkt continues (late Nov-Dec 24, Marienplatz main + 7 satellite — Sendlinger Tor, Residenz, Englischer Garten, Schwabing, Westend, etc.)
- Tollwood Winterfestival (Nov 25-Dec 31, Theresienwiese)
- Nikolaustag / Saint Nicholas Day (Dec 6)
- Heiligabend / Christmas Eve (Dec 24, most shops close 2 PM)
- Christmas Day + Stephen's Day (Dec 25-26, public holidays — almost everything closed)
- Silvester / New Year's Eve (Dec 31, Marienplatz + Olympiapark fireworks)
Munich in December — Full Picture
December is Munich at its most-romantic — and most-expensive outside Oktoberfest. The Münchner Christkindlmarkt runs through December 24 with the main Marienplatz market plus 7 satellites (Sendlinger Tor, Residenz, Englischer Garten Chinese Tower, Schwabing, Westend, etc.). Glühwein (mulled wine, €4-6) and Bratwurst (€5-7) every 50 meters, hand-carved Erzgebirge wooden ornaments, Lebkuchen gingerbread. Each market has a distinct character — Marienplatz is the canonical first-visit choice, Residenz market is the most-elegant (inside the royal palace courtyard), Schwabing is the locals' alternative.
The smart-money window is December 1-19 — full Christmas-market atmosphere at moderate pricing. December 24 is Heiligabend (Christmas Eve, most shops close 2 PM, restaurants book up). Dec 25-26 are full public holidays (almost everything closed except hotels + a few restaurants). Dec 29-Jan 2 is the year's second-biggest demand surge after Oktoberfest — Altstadt 4-star hits $250-410, 5-star $440-850.
For New Year's Eve, the Marienplatz + Olympiapark fireworks displays are the public spots. Hofbräuhaus and Bayerischer Hof run premium NYE menus.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Deep winter — heavy down coat, scarf, gloves, beanie, waterproof boots with grippy soles. Christmas market evenings require hand warmers and thermal base layers. Pack one dressier coat for Michelin or NYE dinners. Indoor Bavarian heating runs hot — layering matters.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
13.3°C
4.3°C
10.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
22.3°C
12.3°C
12.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
13.3°C
5°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current4°C
-2.3°C
9.3/mo
Munich Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3° | -3° | 9d·50mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -2° | 8d·45mm | 3h | 75% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 9° | 1° | 9d·50mm | 4h | 70% | 3 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 13° | 4° | 10d·60mm | 5h | 65% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 18° | 8° | 12d·80mm | 7h | 65% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 21° | 11° | 13d·110mm | 8h | 65% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 23° | 13° | 13d·120mm | 8h | 65% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 23° | 13° | 12d·110mm | 8h | 67% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 19° | 9° | 10d·80mm | 6h | 70% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 14° | 5° | 9d·70mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Busy | Peak |
| 7° | 1° | 9d·60mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -2° | 11d·60mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Munich December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Munich?
Munich in December is high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Munich in December?
Munich December averages a high of 4°C and a low of -2°C.
Does it rain much in Munich in December?
Munich December averages 60mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Munich in December?
Deep winter — heavy down coat, scarf, gloves, beanie, waterproof boots with grippy soles. Christmas market evenings require hand warmers and thermal base layers. Pack one dressier coat for Michelin or NYE dinners. Indoor Bavarian heating runs hot — layering matters.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Munich in December?
Munich December sunrise is 07:50 and sunset is 16:20, with 8h 30min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Munich in December?
Munich December air quality (AQI) averages 70, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 28μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Munich in December?
In December, Munich is great for Münchner Christkindlmarkt (Marienplatz + 7 satellites), Marienplatz Glockenspiel, Pinakothek + BMW Museum + Deutsches Museum.
Is December peak season in Munich?
Munich December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Munich
View Other Months
Planning a December trip to Munich?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
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.