Edinburgh in December
Seven hours of daylight, a full market and a ticketed street party that sells out months ahead — quiet until Christmas, then not at all.
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
December is a middling month in Edinburgh — crowds around 62/100. Not the worst, but February is noticeably calmer.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in Edinburgh, from our booking partner.
What’s on in December
- Edinburgh’s Christmas in Princes Street Gardens
- Hogmanay street party (31 December)
Best days in December
Weekdays are almost always calmer than weekends.
Tue is normally the calmest day of the week.
Best hours in December
The daily rhythm, hour by hour.
The 9:00 AM window is usually the calmest of the day.
Weather in December
Typical highs, lows and wet days.
How December compares
Every month in Edinburgh, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in Edinburgh.
Attraction guides in Edinburgh
The best day and hour for each monument, and when it is calmest across the year, not only in December.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Edinburgh?
December is a middling month in Edinburgh — crowds around 62/100. Not the worst, but February is noticeably calmer.
How crowded is Edinburgh in December?
Edinburgh sits at roughly 62/100 in December on our crowd scale, which is 3 points above the yearly average. The quietest month is February.
What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?
Expect highs around 7°C and lows near 2°C in December, with about 12 wet days across the month.