Vienna in December
Peak Christmas market season
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is one of the weakest months in Vienna.
December is Vienna at its most festive, with a dense calendar of markets, concerts and New Year events. It is also expensive and busy, particularly around Christmas and New Year.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 1–5°C
- Cold, with frost and occasional snow; daylight is short.
- Crowds
- High
- Expect queues at the headline sights and full terraces in the evening.
- Prices
- €€€€
- Higher rates, especially for central and view rooms.
+Markets, lights and concerts everywhere.
–Highest prices, crowds and early darkness.
My tip for December
Book accommodation early and plan indoor stops to warm up between market visits.
- Christmas markets
- Concerts
- New Year
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
12th of 12 overall in Vienna, 10th for weather, 12th for space, 12th for value. The emptiest month is February; the best value is February.
See all twelve months for ViennaPlan around
What’s on in Vienna in December
- Christmas markets
- Markets are at their best and busiest on weekends; visit on weekday evenings for smaller crowds.
Mid-November to late December
Not set on December?
Months I'd choose over December
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in Vienna in December
In December Vienna averages a high of 5°C (41°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F), with about 40 mm of rain or snow over 8 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 27°C) and the coolest is January (around 4°C); the wettest month is June.
- Average high
- 5°C
- 41°F
- Average low
- 1°C
- 34°F
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Wet days
- 8
Climate data: Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Vienna in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Vienna?
- December is one of the weakest months in Vienna. It ranks 12 of 12 months in Vienna overall (10 for weather, 12 for space, 12 for value). The main upside: Markets, lights and concerts everywhere. The main downside: Highest prices, crowds and early darkness.
- What is the weather like in Vienna in December?
- Average highs are around 5°C and lows around 1°C. Expect about 40 mm of rain or snow over roughly 8 wet days. Cold, with frost and occasional snow; daylight is short. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 27°C) and the coolest is January (around 4°C).
- Is Vienna crowded in December?
- Crowds are high. Expect queues at the headline sights and full terraces in the evening. The quietest month is February.
- How expensive is Vienna in December?
- Prices are at level 4 of 5 (€€€€). Higher rates, especially for central and view rooms. The best-value month is February.
- When is the best time to visit Vienna?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, May is the best month overall (December ranks 12 of 12). The quietest month is February and the best value is February.
Still going to Vienna in December?
Book early and plan around the busiest hours — highest prices, crowds and early darkness.
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