Early winter · Weather & things to do
Québec City in December
Québec City cools off: highs slip to 26°F (-3°C), from 39°F in November, with lows of 11°F (-12°C) and about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow.
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
- 26°F (-3°C)
- Avg low
- 11°F (-12°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.7 in (95 mm)
- Humidity
- 96%
- Cloud cover
- 74%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 21 min
- Comfort score
- 39/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 26°F (-3°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 11°F (-12°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 8 h 21 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May & June and September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 21 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (39 → 39/100).
- Our Montréal, Québec City & Charlevoix route recommends Jun – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
- December sits inside the Late Nov – Mar window our Quebec City & Mont-Tremblant route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 11°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 3.7 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Québec City in December
With highs near 26°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Le Lapin Sauté
Small Petit-Champlain bistro known for rabbit dishes, cassoulet and a heated terrace.
Château Frontenac & Dufferin Terrace
Landmark hotel above a boardwalk with sweeping views of the St. Lawrence.
Hotel de Glace
Ice hotel rebuilt each winter from snow and ice at Valcartier, with sculpted rooms, an ice bar and a chapel.
German Christmas Market
Marche de Noel allemand: wooden chalets selling mulled wine, sausages and crafts by City Hall and its gardens.
Place D'Youville rink
Free outdoor skating rink just outside the Saint-Jean Gate, with skate rentals and music in the evenings.
Glissades de la Terrasse
Wooden toboggan run on the Terrasse Dufferin, open in winter since 1884, beside the Chateau Frontenac.
Nearby in December
- Charlevoix in December~65 mi · highs 23°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Montréal in December~144 mi · highs 28°F, 3.9 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Mont-Tremblant in December~166 mi · highs 24°F, 4.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Vermont in December~169 mi · highs 30°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~332 m to Québec City's ~58 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.
Québec City in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Québec City?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 39/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May & June and September. Expect highs of 26°F (-3°C) and 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow. Our Montréal, Québec City & Charlevoix route recommends Jun – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Québec City in December?
Average highs are 26°F (-3°C) and average lows 11°F (-12°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Québec City in December?
Some: about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 45.2 in (1147 mm).
What should I pack for Québec City in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 11°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 3.7 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Québec City
Routes in season in December
- Quebec City & Mont-Tremblant Late Nov – Mar
Planning Québec City 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.