SeasonMapGatlinburg weather in December
United States
December in Gatlinburg: cool, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit.
#10 of 12 months in Gatlinburg · #885 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 63/100 (tier C)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Gatlinburg in December
No notes yet. Open Gatlinburg on the map to add the first one.
Gatlinburg climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 12°C / 54°F | 🙂 cool |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 3°C / 37°F | |
| Rainfall | 112 mm / 4.4 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 11 days | |
| Humidity | 76% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 1°C / 35°F | |
| Sunshine | 5.9 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.8 h | |
| Wind | 12 km/h / 7 mph | |
| Snowfall | 4.9 cm / 1.9 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 31 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Gatlinburg 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.
Peak crowdsWinter Magic lights, Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Gatlinburg'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 weatherGatlinburg's best weather comes in May, September and October — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Gatlinburg in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Festival
Winter Magic lights
5 Nov – 15 Feb · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedThe Parkway is strung with LED displays and three-dimensional snow people from early November until the middle of February, so the lights outlast Christmas by six weeks. January is the cheap month to see them. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Gatlinburg — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Gatlinburg?
- December in Gatlinburg: cool, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit. It ranks #10 of 12 months for Gatlinburg on SeasonMap's comfort score (63/100).
- What is the weather like in Gatlinburg in December?
- In December, Gatlinburg averages a daily high of 12.1°C and a low of 2.5°C, with about 111.8 mm of rain over roughly 11 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Gatlinburg in December?
- Gatlinburg has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 31 in December.
- Does it snow in Gatlinburg in December?
- Gatlinburg sees roughly 4.9 cm of snowfall in December.
Other months in Gatlinburg
Compare Gatlinburg in December
Warmer or cooler than Gatlinburg in December
Similar destinations in North America — December
Within 300 km: Charlotte's Speedway Christmas lights around 15 Nov – 5 Jan, and Atlanta's Garden Lights at the Botanical Garden around 14 Nov – 10 Jan.