United States New York Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in New York is Good
New York Weather in December — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 6° / 0°
- Rainfall
- 90mm · 10 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, New York in December averages a high of 6°C and low of 0°C with 90mm of rain over about 10 days. Heavy waterproof coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with sweater and thermal base. Snow boots if visiting during a storm.
December is Good for New York.
December is NYC's most magical month for visitors — the canonical Christmas-in-New-York experience. Rockefeller Christmas Tree (lit through January 1) is the iconic centerpiece, with skating rink underneath. Avoid 5-9 PM for the lit-up tree photo without crushing crowds; early morning (7-9 AM) is best.
Macy's Christmas window displays at Herald Square and Saks Fifth Avenue's nightly light show (every 10 minutes after sunset) are free outdoor experiences. Bryant Park has its winter village with ice skating ($0 with own skates, $25 rental + $20 entry), Christmas market vendors, and free outdoor performances.
Travel score
Holiday peak — Rockefeller Tree, Ball Drop, and the year's most expensive hotels
December Weather at a Glance
December is full winter — 7°C / 45°F highs and 0°C / 32°F lows. Wind chill brings felt-temperatures to 3°C / 37°F and -5°C / 23°F. Daylight is at its annual minimum: 9 hours 15 minutes (sunrise 7:15, sunset 4:30). Snowfall averages 7 days through the month. The city is fully decked in holiday lights from late November through January — Rockefeller Tree, Saks 5th Avenue light show, Bergdorf Goodman window displays, and Bryant Park's Winter Village are the main attractions.
December Travel Advice
Full winter packing: heavy parka, thermal base layer, snow boots, wool scarf, gloves, hat, hand warmers. December 31 brings the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop — the 23-meter Waterford Crystal Ball descends for 60 seconds at midnight, with 1 million spectators in the square. Plaza entry closes at 4 PM, no restroom access, no re-entry. Hotel and bar 'NYE Party' tickets ($150-500/person) or the View Restaurant ($300-600 dinner, book a year ahead) are the indoor alternatives. Rockefeller Tree weekday mornings 9-11 AM and weekday nights after 11 PM are the quietest viewing times.
Flying In from Overseas
Late December and early January (Dec 20 through Jan 2) is the year's most expensive flight window — long-haul fares from Asia and Europe spike to $2,800-4,500 round-trip. December week 1-2 is the relative value window before holiday rates kick in. Dec 24-26 sees many US restaurants and museums close — check operating hours when planning.
December Pricing Trends
Hotels at annual peak: 3-star Midtown $500-800/night, 4-star $800-1,500. December 27-31 prices triple — Times Square-adjacent hotels run $2,000-5,000/night. December week 1-2 weekdays are the December value window.
New York December Weather Stats
Avg High
6°C
Avg Low
0°C
Rainy Days
10
90mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
64%
Damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
16 km/h
Gusts 32
Snow Days
3
Monthly avg
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 3 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
26 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
3°C
Nighttime
-4°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
16 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rockefeller Christmas Tree and city-wide lights
- Bryant Park ice skating + Christmas markets
- New Year's Eve Times Square ball drop (or alternatives)
Cons
- Hotel prices peak for Christmas-New Year week
- Times Square ball drop requires 8+ hours of standing
- Christmas Day most restaurants close
December Events & Festivals
- Rockefeller Christmas Tree (lit through January 1)
- Saks Fifth Avenue light show + Macy's Christmas window displays
- Bryant Park ice skating
- Christmas Eve dinners at top hotels
- New Year's Eve Times Square ball drop
New York in December — Full Picture
December is NYC's most magical month for visitors — the canonical Christmas-in-New-York experience. Rockefeller Christmas Tree (lit through January 1) is the iconic centerpiece, with skating rink underneath. Avoid 5-9 PM for the lit-up tree photo without crushing crowds; early morning (7-9 AM) is best.
Macy's Christmas window displays at Herald Square and Saks Fifth Avenue's nightly light show (every 10 minutes after sunset) are free outdoor experiences. Bryant Park has its winter village with ice skating ($0 with own skates, $25 rental + $20 entry), Christmas market vendors, and free outdoor performances.
Christmas Eve dinners at major hotels (The Plaza, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton) and top restaurants run $150-400/person 5-7-course menus. Book 4-6 weeks ahead. Christmas Day, most restaurants close — book your hotel's restaurant ahead.
New Year's Eve Times Square ball drop is the world-famous event but the experience is brutal — arrive 2 PM for any view, no bathrooms, freezing temperatures, no leaving once you're in. Better experiences: rooftop bars (heavy minimum spend), Brooklyn Bridge fireworks viewing, Hudson River cruises.
Hotel rates spike 50-100% for December 30-January 2. Christmas Eve to New Year's Day is essentially the most expensive week of the year. Book 8-12 weeks ahead.
Weather is cold (6°C / 43°F daytime, 0°C / 32°F at night). Snow happens but doesn't always stick. The shortest daylight of the year (sunrise 7:15 AM, sunset 4:30 PM).
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy waterproof coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with sweater and thermal base. Snow boots if visiting during a storm.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.7°C
7°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28.7°C
19°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
18.7°C
10.3°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current5.3°C
-1.7°C
10.3/mo
New York Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4° | -3° | 11d·84mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 6° | -2° | 10d·78mm | 6h | 64% | 2 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 11° | 2° | 12d·95mm | 7h | 62% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 17° | 7° | 12d·110mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 22° | 12° | 12d·115mm | 9h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 27° | 17° | 11d·105mm | 10h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 30° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 10h | 64% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 29° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 9h | 67% | 8 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 25° | 16° | 9d·100mm | 8.5h | 68% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 19° | 10° | 9d·95mm | 8h | 65% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 12° | 5° | 10d·95mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 6° | 0° | 10d·90mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
New York December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit New York?
New York in December is Good. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in New York in December?
New York December averages a high of 6°C and a low of 0°C.
Does it rain much in New York in December?
New York December averages 90mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in New York in December?
Heavy waterproof coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with sweater and thermal base. Snow boots if visiting during a storm.
What time are sunrise and sunset in New York in December?
New York December sunrise is 07:15 and sunset is 16:30, with 9h 15m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New York in December?
New York December air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New York in December?
In December, New York is great for Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Bryant Park ice skating, New Year's Eve Times Square.
Is December peak season in New York?
New York December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit New York
View Other Months
Planning a December trip to New York?
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.