Early winter · Weather & things to do
Holland in December
Holland cools off: highs slip to 36°F (2°C), from 46°F in November, with lows of 29°F (-2°C) and about 2.7 in (69 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 39/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 36°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Rain
- 2.7 in (69 mm)
- Humidity
- 85%
- Cloud cover
- 84%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 52 min
- Comfort score
- 39/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 36°F (2°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 29°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.7 in (69 mm).
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 84%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 12 mph (5.3 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 8 h 52 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 29°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 52 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 50/100 in November to 39/100.
- Our Michigan Lake Shore route recommends Jun – 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
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 12 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Holland in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
New Holland Brewing Pub on 8th
Downtown brewpub of the brewery behind Dragon's Milk stout.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 36°F.
Holland Museum
Downtown museum on the town's Dutch settlers and immigrant history.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 36°F.
Saugatuck Dune Rides
Guided dune-buggy rides through the Lake Michigan dunes south of Holland.
Mount Pisgah Dune Boardwalk
Stairway and boardwalk up a dune for views over Lake Macatawa and Big Red.
Captain Sundae
Long-running ice cream stand with oversized sundaes.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Indiana Dunes in December~92 mi · highs 37°F, 2.4 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Milwaukee in December~93 mi · highs 33°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Chicago in December~100 mi · highs 37°F, 2.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Frankenmuth in December~125 mi · highs 34°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, 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.
Holland in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Holland?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 39/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 36°F (2°C) and 2.7 in (69 mm) of rain. Our Michigan Lake Shore route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Holland in December?
Average highs are 36°F (2°C) and average lows 29°F (-2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Holland in December?
Some: about 2.7 in (69 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 38.5 in (978 mm).
What should I pack for Holland in December?
Bring 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), windproof shell (average wind 12 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Holland in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.