Early winter · Weather & things to do
Knoxville in December
Knoxville cools off: highs slip to 51°F (11°C), from 61°F in November, with lows of 33°F (0°C) and about 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 57/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 51°F (11°C)
- Avg low
- 33°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 4.9 in (124 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 34 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 51°F (11°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Lows average 33°F (0°C).
Expect regular rain: about 4.9 in (124 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are October.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 34 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 80/100 in November to 57/100.
- Our Smokies Weekend route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 51°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes4.9 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Knoxville in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Tennessee Theatre
Restored 1928 movie palace with a Mighty Wurlitzer organ.
Knoxville Museum of Art
Free museum focused on East Tennessee art, with Richard Jolley's glass installation.
Yassin's Falafel House
Beloved downtown falafel shop run by a Syrian refugee family.
Ijams Nature Center
Urban forest with river bluffs and a turquoise quarry lake.
Pretentious Beer Co.
Old City brewery and glassblowing studio pouring beer in its own glassware.
Nearby in December
- Townsend in December~21 mi · highs 52°F, 5.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Cherokee in December~47 mi · highs 49°F, 5.3 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Asheville in December~81 mi · highs 48°F, 4.9 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Blowing Rock in December~126 mi · highs 42°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~424 m to Knoxville's ~275 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.
Knoxville in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Knoxville?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 57/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are October. Expect highs of 51°F (11°C) and 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain. Our Smokies Weekend route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Knoxville in December?
Average highs are 51°F (11°C) and average lows 33°F (0°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Knoxville in December?
Yes: about 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 51.5 in (1308 mm).
What should I pack for Knoxville in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 51°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (4.9 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Knoxville
Planning Knoxville in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.