Early winter · Weather & things to do
Bardstown in December
Bardstown cools off: highs slip to 44°F (7°C), from 55°F in November, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 4.5 in (114 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 45/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.5 in (114 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 68%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 24 min
- Comfort score
- 45/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 44°F (7°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Average lows of 28°F (-2°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 4.5 in (114 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 24 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 28°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 24 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 69/100 in November to 45/100.
- Our Kentucky Bourbon Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.5 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Bardstown in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
Free museum of whiskey artifacts, Prohibition and moonshine stills.
Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience
Visitor center for Heaven Hill (Elijah Craig, Evan Williams) with tours and tastings.
Willett Distillery
Family distillery with a pot still shaped like its bottle and hilltop grounds.
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Modern distillery with a restaurant and big bourbon list.
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Federal Hill mansion linked to Stephen Foster's state song.
Nearby in December
- Louisville in December~35 mi · highs 43°F, 4.3 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Lexington in December~55 mi · highs 43°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Downtown Cincinnati in December~103 mi · highs 43°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Nashville in December~135 mi · highs 49°F, 5.0 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Bardstown in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Bardstown?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 45/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 4.5 in (114 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kentucky Bourbon Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Bardstown in December?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Bardstown in December?
Some: about 4.5 in (114 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 51.4 in (1305 mm).
What should I pack for Bardstown in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.5 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Bardstown
Planning Bardstown in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.