Early winter · Weather & things to do
Dresden in December
Dresden cools off: highs slip to 38°F (4°C), from 46°F in November, with lows of 29°F (-1°C) and about 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 42/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 38°F (4°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 2.2 in (56 mm)
- Humidity
- 93%
- Cloud cover
- 78%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 42 min
- Comfort score
- 42/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 38°F (4°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 29°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's December.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 78%.
Daylight is short, roughly 7 h 42 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 29°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 7 h 42 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 53/100 in November to 42/100.
- Our Berlin, Potsdam & Dresden route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Dresden in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Historic Green Vault
Augustus the Strong's treasury of jewels and gold in Dresden Castle.
Brühl's Terrace
Raised riverside promenade known as the Balcony of Europe.
Bastei Bridge
Sandstone bridge among rock towers 194 m above the Elbe in Saxon Switzerland.
Zwinger
Baroque palace courtyard with the Old Masters Gallery and Sistine Madonna.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 38°F.
Semperoper
Opera house where Wagner and Strauss premiered works; guided tours daily.
Nearby in December
- Prague in December~74 mi · highs 37°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Potsdam in December~97 mi · highs 38°F, 1.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Berlin in December~103 mi · highs 38°F, 1.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bamberg in December~149 mi · highs 38°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~306 m to Dresden's ~115 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Dresden in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Dresden?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 42/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – September. Expect highs of 38°F (4°C) and 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain. Our Berlin, Potsdam & Dresden route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Dresden in December?
Average highs are 38°F (4°C) and average lows 29°F (-1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Dresden in December?
Not much: about 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.2 in (717 mm).
What should I pack for Dresden in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Dresden 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.