New York in December
From the tree lighting onwards midtown moves at a shuffle, and the blocks around Rockefeller Center are the single most congested pavement in the country.
Is December a good time to visit New York?
December is one of the busiest months in New York, at about 86/100. If you can move your dates, January is far calmer.
What’s on in December
- Rockefeller Center tree lighting
- Holiday markets at Bryant Park and Union Square
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve — the city at capacity
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 New York, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in New York.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in New York, from our booking partner.
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Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit New York?
December is one of the busiest months in New York, at about 86/100. If you can move your dates, January is far calmer.
How crowded is New York in December?
New York sits at roughly 86/100 in December on our crowd scale, which is 18 points above the yearly average. The quietest month is January.
What is the weather like in New York in December?
Expect highs around 7°C and lows near 1°C in December, with about 10 wet days across the month.