Early winter · Weather & things to do
Branson in December
Branson cools off: highs slip to 47°F (9°C), from 59°F in November, with lows of 29°F (-2°C) and about 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 58/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 47°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Rain
- 3.0 in (75 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 30 min
- Comfort score
- 58/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 47°F (9°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 29°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
Some rain is likely, about 3.0 in (75 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 29°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 30 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 78/100 in November to 58/100.
- Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 47°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Branson in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Top of the Rock
Big Cedar's hilltop with lake views, a natural history museum and Lost Canyon Cave cart trail.
Billy Gail's Cafe
Log-cabin café famous for plate-sized pancakes.
Buzzard Bar at Big Cedar Lodge
Cozy lodge bar with a fireplace and lake views at Big Cedar.
Dick's Oldtime 5 & 10
Downtown dime store packed with vintage toys and candy since 1961.
Dewey Short Visitor Center
Lakeside center at Table Rock Dam with exhibits and a short nature trail.
Nearby in December
- Eureka Springs in December~33 mi · highs 46°F, 2.8 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Springfield in December~39 mi · highs 44°F, 2.8 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Tulsa in December~158 mi · highs 49°F, 2.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Kansas City in December~185 mi · highs 41°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
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.
Branson in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Branson?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 58/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and September & October. Expect highs of 47°F (9°C) and 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain. Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Branson in December?
Average highs are 47°F (9°C) and average lows 29°F (-2°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Branson in December?
Some: about 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 46.5 in (1182 mm).
What should I pack for Branson in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 47°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Branson in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.