Early winter · Weather & things to do
Boston in December
Boston cools off: highs slip to 39°F (4°C), from 50°F in November, with lows of 26°F (-3°C) and about 4.6 in (116 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 39°F (4°C)
- Avg low
- 26°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.6 in (116 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 55 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 39°F (4°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 26°F (-3°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 4.6 in (116 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 55 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and July – October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 26°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 55 min of daylight.
- Our Boston to Portland route recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 26°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.6 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Boston in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Regina Pizzeria
The original 1926 North End pizzeria serving thin, charred pies.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 39°F.
Neptune Oyster
Small North End oyster bar famous for its hot buttered lobster roll.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Art collection displayed around a Venetian-style courtyard.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 39°F.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Encyclopedic art museum with strong American and Impressionist galleries.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Freedom Trail
2.5-mile red-brick line past 16 Revolutionary-era sites.
Nearby in December
- Portsmouth in December~51 mi · highs 40°F, 5.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- New Hampshire in December~63 mi · highs 36°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Portland, Maine in December~98 mi · highs 40°F, 5.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Woodstock in December~114 mi · highs 33°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
These averages also cover Downtown Boston & the Waterfront and South Boston & Castle Island.
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.
Boston in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Boston?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May and July – October. Expect highs of 39°F (4°C) and 4.6 in (116 mm) of rain or snow. Our Boston to Portland route recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Boston in December?
Average highs are 39°F (4°C) and average lows 26°F (-3°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Boston in December?
Some: about 4.6 in (116 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 47.5 in (1207 mm).
What should I pack for Boston in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 26°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.6 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Boston 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.