Portland in December
Not the best time
December is peak Pacific Northwest winter - wet, gray, and cold. Only visit if you love the idea of experiencing Portland like a true local during the most challenging season.
Weather
December brings Portland's winter gloom in full force. Cold, wet, and gray dominate the weather pattern. Rain falls more often than not, and occasional frost makes mornings extra crisp.
9°C high2°C low18 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$125/day average
Events & Festivals
- •ZooLights
- •New Year's Eve celebration downtown
December Tips
- •Book holiday events like ZooLights well ahead - locals need winter distractions too
- •Embrace hygge culture - cozy restaurants and warm pubs become lifelines
- •Consider this a locals-only experience - tourists have mostly fled
All Months
June through October offers Portland's best weather, with July and August bringing actual sunshine and temperatures in the 80s. This is peak tourist season - hotel prices jump 30% and popular restaurants book weeks ahead.
September might be Portland's perfect month. Summer crowds thin out, but the weather stays warm and dry. The fall beer festival season kicks off, and you can still eat at food carts without standing in rain.
May and October work if you don't mind occasional showers. Spring brings cherry blossoms to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, while fall colors paint the Columbia River Gorge. Hotel rates drop significantly.
Winter in Portland means rain. Not dramatic storms, just steady drizzle from November through March. But this is when locals reclaim their city. Coffee shops stay cozy, breweries pour seasonal stouts, and you'll have Powell's Books mostly to yourself.
Avoid February unless you love gray skies and 45-degree days. Even locals get grumpy during the deepest part of Portland's rainy season.
Portland Scores
Solo
9/10
Couples
7/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
7/10
Budget
7/10
Luxury
6/10
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