Early winter · Weather & things to do
Brussels in December
Brussels cools off: highs slip to 43°F (6°C), from 50°F in November, with lows of 34°F (1°C) and about 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 44/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 43°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 34°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 3.1 in (78 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 77%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 44 min
- Comfort score
- 44/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 43°F (6°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights cool to an average low of 34°F (1°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.1 in (78 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 77%.
Daylight is short, roughly 7 h 44 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May & June and September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 7 h 44 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 56/100 in November to 44/100.
- Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 43°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Brussels in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Magritte Museum
Large collection of René Magritte's surrealist works.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 43°F.
Horta Museum
Victor Horta's Art Nouveau home and studio.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
1847 glass-roofed arcade of chocolate shops and cafés.
Maison Antoine
Frites kiosk; bars nearby let you eat inside with a drink.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 43°F.
Moeder Lambic Fontainas
Beer bar with a long list of Belgian craft and lambic on tap.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Ghent in December~31 mi · highs 43°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bruges in December~55 mi · highs 44°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Amsterdam in December~107 mi · highs 44°F, 3.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Reims in December~111 mi · highs 42°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, 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.
Brussels in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Brussels?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 44/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May & June and September. Expect highs of 43°F (6°C) and 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain. Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Brussels in December?
Average highs are 43°F (6°C) and average lows 34°F (1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Brussels in December?
Some: about 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 30.0 in (763 mm).
What should I pack for Brussels in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 43°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Brussels
Planning Brussels 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.