Vancouver in December
Not the best time
December tests your tolerance for rain and grey skies, but holiday events and decorations add some magic to the gloom. The Festival of Lights alone makes a winter visit worthwhile.
Weather
December brings Vancouver's wettest month with up to 18 rainy days. Temperatures hover just above freezing with occasional snow that rarely sticks. The short days and persistent grey skies can feel oppressive, though holiday lights brighten downtown.
7°C high2°C low18 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$135/day average
Events & Festivals
- •VanDusen Festival of Lights
- •New Year's Eve at Canada Place
- •Christmas markets
December Tips
- •The Festival of Lights at VanDusen is genuinely magical and worth braving the weather
- •Book New Year's Eve events early - it's one of the few busy times in winter
- •Shopping centers like Pacific Centre become popular hangouts to escape the rain
All Months
Summer brings Vancouver's magic — July and August see temperatures hit 75°F with minimal rain and 16-hour days. But everyone knows this, so hotel prices double and hiking trails get crowded. May and September offer the sweet spot: decent weather, lower prices, and fewer tour groups clogging up Granville Island. Spring means cherry blossoms in Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden, though you'll need rain gear through April. Fall delivers crisp mountain views and harvest season in nearby wine country, but rain returns by October. Winter skiing at Cypress and Grouse Mountains sits 30 minutes from downtown, though the city itself turns gray and soggy. December through February sees constant drizzle and 8-hour days — locals call it the price of paradise. The shoulder seasons reward patient travelers with $200 hotel rooms instead of $400 ones.
Vancouver Scores
Solo
8/10
Couples
7/10
Families
9/10
Adventure
8/10
Budget
5/10
Luxury
8/10
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