Seattle in December
Not the best time
December wraps up the year with peak gloom but also peak coziness. Holiday events add charm to the rain, and you'll have an authentic Seattle winter experience.
Weather
December continues the wet, dark pattern with the year's shortest days and longest nights. Rain falls steadily with occasional snow in the hills. Holiday lights provide the main brightness during long, gray days.
8°C high3°C low19 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$160/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Seattle Christmas Market in South Lake Union
- •The Nutcracker at Seattle Opera
- •New Year's Eve at the Space Needle
December Tips
- •Holiday markets and indoor festivals provide bright spots during dark days
- •Many restaurants offer special holiday menus and cozy atmosphere
- •Consider this a cultural immersion month - museums, theaters, and concert halls
All Months
June through September delivers Seattle at its absolute best. Temperatures hover in the 70s, rain takes a vacation, and the city comes alive with outdoor festivals and markets. July and August see the least rain but also the highest hotel prices and biggest crowds at popular spots like Pike Place Market. September might be the sweet spot — still warm, fewer tourists, and the leaves start changing in nearby mountains. Spring arrives late but brings blooming cherry trees around the University of Washington quad in March and April. Winter gets dark and wet, but it's also when you'll find the best hotel deals and shorter lines at restaurants. The holiday season brings charm with Christmas markets and lights, just pack waterproof everything. Avoid visiting during tech conference season in late spring unless you enjoy inflated hotel rates and crowded coffee shops full of startup bros.
Seattle Scores
Solo
8/10
Couples
7/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
6/10
Budget
5/10
Luxury
7/10
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