Stockholm in December
Dark, but Christmas markets and Lucia light it up.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a good time to visit Stockholm.
December is Stockholm’s darkest month, but also one of its most atmospheric, with Christmas markets at Skansen and Gamla Stan, and the candlelit Festival of Lucia on 13 December.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- -1–2°C
- Cold and dark, with daylight down to around 6 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Moderate, rising around Christmas and New Year
- Prices
- €€
- Moderate, rising over the holiday weeks
+Christmas markets + the Festival of Lucia on 13 December
–The shortest, darkest days of the year
My tip for December
Go in the first half of December for the Christmas-market atmosphere without the full holiday-week crowds and prices.
- Christmas markets
- Festival of Lucia
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
5th of 12 overall in Stockholm, 10th for weather, 9th for space, 9th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.
See all twelve months for StockholmPlan around
What’s on in Stockholm in December
- Plan around the darkness
- Daylight drops to around 6–7 hours a day in Stockholm's darkest months. It is also the city's cheapest, quietest stretch, and the Christmas markets and Festival of Lucia on 13 December add real atmosphere if you don't mind the dark.
November–January
Not set on December?
Even stronger months in Stockholm
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in Stockholm in December
In December Stockholm averages a high of 3°C (37°F) and a low of -1°C (30°F), with about 48 mm of rain or snow. The warmest month is July (around 24°C) and the coolest is January (around 1°C); the wettest month is August.
- Average high
- 3°C
- 37°F
- Average low
- -1°C
- 30°F
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
Climate data: SMHI Open Data. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Stockholm in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Stockholm?
- December is a good time to visit Stockholm. It ranks 5 of 12 months in Stockholm overall (10 for weather, 9 for space, 9 for value). The main upside: Christmas markets + the Festival of Lucia on 13 December. The main downside: The shortest, darkest days of the year.
- What is the weather like in Stockholm in December?
- Average highs are around 3°C and lows around -1°C. Expect about 48 mm of rain or snow. Cold and dark, with daylight down to around 6 hours. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 24°C) and the coolest is January (around 1°C).
- Is Stockholm crowded in December?
- Crowds are moderate. Moderate, rising around Christmas and New Year. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is Stockholm in December?
- Prices are at level 2 of 5 (€€). Moderate, rising over the holiday weeks. The best-value month is January.
- When is the best time to visit Stockholm?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, May is the best month overall (December ranks 5 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.
Ready to book December in Stockholm?
Christmas markets + the Festival of Lucia on 13 December
Find hotels in StockholmAffiliate link