Early winter · Weather & things to do
Nashville in December
Nashville cools off: highs slip to 49°F (10°C), from 60°F in November, with lows of 32°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 (10°C)
- Avg low
- 32°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 5.0 in (126 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 65%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 33 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Cool days top out near 49°F (10°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 32°F (0°C), so expect frost and ice.
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.0 in (126 mm) across 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 32°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 33 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 78/100 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 32°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.0 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Nashville in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Grand Ole Opry House
Home of the Grand Ole Opry, the long-running country music radio show; December brings Opry Country Christmas shows.
Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS
Cheekwood's botanical garden and 1930s mansion lit with about a million lights on a mile-long winter walk.
Ryman Auditorium
1892 tabernacle known as the Mother Church of Country Music, hosting Christmas concerts and New Year's Eve shows.
Robert's Western World
Classic Broadway honky-tonk with traditional country bands, cold beer and a fried bologna sandwich.
Loveless Cafe
Roadside cafe at the start of the Natchez Trace, serving biscuits, country ham and fried chicken since 1951.
Nearby in December
- Franklin in December~17 mi · highs 49°F, 5.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bardstown in December~135 mi · highs 44°F, 4.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Louisville in December~155 mi · highs 43°F, 4.3 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
- Knoxville in December~160 mi · highs 51°F, 4.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Nashville, East Nashville, Lower Broadway and The Gulch.
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.
Nashville in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Nashville?
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 (10°C) and 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain.
How cold is Nashville in December?
Average highs are 49°F (10°C) and average lows 32°F (0°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Nashville 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 Nashville in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 32°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.0 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Nashville
Routes in season in December
- Nashville & Franklin Late Nov – Dec
Planning Nashville 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.