Early winter · Weather & things to do
Franklin in December
Franklin cools off: highs slip to 49°F (9°C), from 59°F in November, with lows of 31°F (0°C) and about 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 53/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 49°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 31°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 5.0 in (126 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 34 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 49°F (9°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Average lows of 31°F (0°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect regular rain: about 5.0 in (126 mm) falls in the month.
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 31°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 34 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 77/100 in November to 53/100.
- Our Nashville & Franklin route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 31°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Franklin in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Dickens of a Christmas
Two-day street festival on Main Street with costumed Dickens characters, carolers, artisan stalls and food vendors.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best second weekend of December.
Carnton
1826 plantation house that served as a field hospital during the 1864 Battle of Franklin, with the McGavock Confederate Cemetery.
Puckett's Franklin
Offshoot of the old Puckett's grocery in Leiper's Fork, serving barbecue, Southern plates and live music downtown.
Leiper's Fork
Village of galleries and old clapboard shops in the hills west of Franklin, with a homespun Christmas parade in December.
Lotz House
1858 house museum on Columbia Avenue that stood at the center of the Battle of Franklin.
Nearby in December
- Nashville in December~17 mi · highs 49°F, 5.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bardstown in December~151 mi · highs 44°F, 4.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Knoxville in December~164 mi · highs 51°F, 4.9 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Louisville in December~172 mi · highs 43°F, 4.3 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°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.
Franklin in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Franklin?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 53/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and September & October. Expect highs of 49°F (9°C) and 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain.
How cold is Franklin in December?
Average highs are 49°F (9°C) and average lows 31°F (0°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Franklin in December?
Yes: about 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.1 in (1350 mm).
What should I pack for Franklin in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 31°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in December
- Nashville & Franklin Late Nov – Dec
Planning Franklin 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.