Queenstown in December
Early summer
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a reasonable month in Queenstown — with trade-offs.
December is the start of the summer high season, with long days and a festive atmosphere.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 8–20°C
- Warm, with long daylight.
- Crowds
- High
- Expect queues at the headline sights and full terraces in the evening.
- Prices
- $$$$$
- Peak pricing for hotels and flights.
+Long days and festive energy.
–Busy and expensive towards Christmas.
My tip for December
Book accommodation early for Christmas and New Year.
- Hiking
- Lake activities
- Festive season
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
6th of 12 overall in Queenstown, 3rd for weather, 9th for space, 9th for value. The emptiest month is May; the best value is May.
See all twelve months for QueenstownPlan around
What’s on in Queenstown in December
- Summer peak
- Long days, high prices and heavy demand.
December–February
Not set on December?
Even stronger months in Queenstown
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in Queenstown in December
In December Queenstown averages a high of 20°C (68°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F), with about 60 mm of rain or snow over 9 wet days. The warmest month is January (around 22°C) and the coolest is July (around 8°C); the wettest month is May.
- Average high
- 20°C
- 68°F
- Average low
- 9°C
- 48°F
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Wet days
- 9
Climate data: NIWA. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Queenstown in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Queenstown?
- December is a reasonable month in Queenstown — with trade-offs. It ranks 6 of 12 months in Queenstown overall (3 for weather, 9 for space, 9 for value). The main upside: Long days and festive energy. The main downside: Busy and expensive towards Christmas.
- What is the weather like in Queenstown in December?
- Average highs are around 20°C and lows around 9°C. Expect about 60 mm of rain or snow over roughly 9 wet days. Warm, with long daylight. For comparison, the warmest month is January (around 22°C) and the coolest is July (around 8°C).
- Is Queenstown crowded in December?
- Crowds are high. Expect queues at the headline sights and full terraces in the evening. The quietest month is May.
- How expensive is Queenstown in December?
- Prices are at level 5 of 5 ($$$$$). Peak pricing for hotels and flights. The best-value month is May.
- When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, March is the best month overall (December ranks 6 of 12). The quietest month is May and the best value is May.
Ready to book December in Queenstown?
Long days and festive energy.
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