SeasonMapCanterbury weather in December
United Kingdom
December in Canterbury: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#11 of 12 months in Canterbury · #1021 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 56/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Canterbury in December
Notes from nearby London (87 km away)
Canterbury doesn't have its own notes for December yet — these are about London, close enough to share the season.
London's December threads settle on an average around 6°C, a high chance of rain, and darkness closing in by about 4pm. Regulars rate it milder than January or February, and they're clear about timing: the Christmas feel is best from roughly 1 to 21 December. After that it turns awkward — no public transport on the 25th, shops shut, many attractions closed, and Christmas Day meals priced accordingly.
Add your own note from Canterbury's card on the map.
Canterbury climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 9°C / 49°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 4°C / 39°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 6°C / 43°F | |
| Sea temperature | 8°C / 47°F | 🥶 cold sea |
| Rainfall | 59 mm / 2.3 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 12 days | |
| Humidity | 87% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 5°C / 42°F | |
| Sunshine | 3.4 h/day | |
| Daylight | 8 h | |
| Wind | 26 km/h / 16 mph | |
| Snowfall | 1.6 cm / 0.6 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 32 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Canterbury in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyChristmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Canterbury's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherCanterbury's weather peaks June–August, best around July.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Canterbury in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Festival
Advent and Christmas at the cathedral
28 Nov – 26 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New YearBook earlyAdvent carol services and the Christmas Eve sung liturgy are the cathedral at its best, and they are ticketed and go early. Sightseeing hours are cut back on service days. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Canterbury — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Canterbury?
Canterbury in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Canterbury?
- December in Canterbury: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #11 of 12 months for Canterbury on SeasonMap's comfort score (56/100).
- What is the weather like in Canterbury in December?
- In December, Canterbury averages a daily high of 9.4°C and a low of 4.1°C, with about 58.6 mm of rain over roughly 11.5 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Canterbury in December?
- Canterbury has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 32 in December.
- Does it snow in Canterbury in December?
- Canterbury sees roughly 1.6 cm of snowfall in December.
Other months in Canterbury
Compare Canterbury in December
Warmer or cooler than Canterbury in December
Similar destinations in Northern Europe — December
Within 300 km: Brighton's Starling murmurations around 1 Nov – 28 Feb, and Cambridge's Mill Road Winter Fair around 1–8 Dec.