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New York City in December

Lower Manhattan's skyline above the East River, with the Brooklyn Bridge at left and One World Trade Center at center
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash (the New York City photo)

Season in December

Shoulder season

High season Shoulder Low season Dashed line: the year's monthly average

In December, passengers arriving at the airport ran at 0.965 times their year's monthly average (median of 2023–2025). High season means 1.10 times or more, and low season 0.90 times or less.

Source: passengers arriving at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia (BTS T-100 Domestic and International Segment, all carriers), US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked ). It isn't a score. How the label works.

Typical December weather

Average high
44.3 °F (6.8 °C)
Average low
33.8 °F (1.0 °C)
Rain in the month
4.38 in (111.3 mm)
Days with 0.01 in of rain or more
11.4

Averages for 1991–2020, not a forecast. Any given year can differ.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), NEW YORK CNTRL PK TWR, NY US (USW00094728), 1991–2020 normals (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked ).

How December 2026 scores in New York City

  • Overall score

    5/10 5/10 Good

    The main score for New York City in December 2026, from 1 to 10, where 10 is best for the visitor. Weather counts for 40%, crowds 25%, daylight 10% and uniqueness 25%. Air quality is shown on its own. How we score

    Overall 5/10: 0.4×2 + 0.25×6 + 0.1×3 + 0.25×9 = 4.85 → 5.

  • Weather

    2/10 2/10 Harsh

    Weather 2/10: the average high is 44.3 °F with 111.3 mm of rain (1991–2020 normals, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)). That high is below the 70–86 °F comfort band, which costs 6.00 points; rain costs 2.23.

    How this was scored
    • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), NEW YORK CNTRL PK TWR, NY US (USW00094728), 1991–2020 normals (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
    • The data file read (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )

    high 44.3 °F: −6.00 (below 70 °F, capped at 6); rain 111.252 mm: −2.23; 10 − 6.00 − 2.23 = 1.77 → 2

  • Crowds

    6/10 6/10 Moderate

    Crowds 6/10, Moderate: in December, passengers arriving at the airport ran at 0.965 times their year's monthly average (median of 2023–2025), compared with the rest of New York City's year. Based on passengers arriving at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia (BTS T-100 Domestic and International Segment, all carriers), US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Airport passenger counts include residents and connecting passengers. Newark Liberty International (EWR), in New Jersey, isn't counted, so visitors who fly into Newark aren't either.

    How this was scored
    • passengers arriving at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia (BTS T-100 Domestic and International Segment, all carriers), US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked )
    • The data read (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked )
    • The data read (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked )

    2023: 0.965; 2024: 0.990; 2025: 0.956; median 0.965; 10 − 9 × (0.965 − 0.60) / 0.80 = 5.89 → 6

  • Daylight

    3/10 3/10 Short days

    Daylight 3/10: in December 2026 the sun is up for 9 h 18 min a day on average, from sunrise to sunset at 40.78° N, 73.97° W (NOAA solar equations).

    How this was scored
    • Destination point 40.78° N, 73.97° W, the weather station's published coordinates (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
    • Sunrise and sunset by the NOAA Solar Calculator equations, checked against NOAA's own Solar Calculator code (the US Naval Observatory's service didn't answer us) (gml.noaa.gov, checked )

    mean of 31 days from sunrise to sunset: 9 h 18 min (9.31 h); 1 + 1.5 × (9.31 − 8) = 2.97 → 3

  • Uniqueness

    9/10 9/10 Packed calendar

    Uniqueness 9/10: 4 dated events from official calendars fall in December 2026: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting (signature), Lighting of the World's Largest Hanukkah Menorahs (signature), Parade on Rockaway (single-day) and Santa Land 7th Annual Community Parade (single-day). 5 more events are listed but not counted: at most 2 of each type count.

    How this was scored
    • Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting (signature), 2026-12-02, Rockefeller Center, 48th-51st Sts. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., Manhattan, NY (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
    • Lighting of the World's Largest Hanukkah Menorahs (signature), 2026-12-04 to 2026-12-11, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
    • Parade on Rockaway (single-day), 2026-12-05, 130th St. between Foch Blvd. and Rockaway Blvd., Queens, NY (www.nyc.gov, checked )
    • Santa Land 7th Annual Community Parade (single-day), 2026-12-05, Washington Ave. between Atlantic Ave. and Dean St., Brooklyn, NY (www.nyc.gov, checked )
    • New York City Tourism + Conventions events (official tourism board calendar) (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
    • NYC.gov events (city or municipal government calendar) (www.nyc.gov, checked )
    • Grand Slam tennis (WTA Tour 2027) (major-sports competition calendar) (wtafiles.wtatennis.com, checked )
    • Formula 1 World Championship (2026 and 2027 seasons) (major-sports competition calendar) (www.formula1.com, checked )
    • FIFA World Cup and continental championships (Women's World Cup 2027, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Concacaf W Championship 2026) (major-sports competition calendar) (digitalhub.fifa.com, checked )
    • Abbott World Marathon Majors and World Athletics Platinum Label road races (major-sports competition calendar) (worldathletics.org, checked )
    • Super Bowl (2026-2027 National Football League Important Dates) (major-sports competition calendar) (www.nfl.com, checked )
    • NFL regular-season international games (2026 slate) (major-sports competition calendar) (media.nfl.com, checked )
    • UEFA club competition finals 2026/27 (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Women's Champions League) (major-sports competition calendar) (www.uefa.com, checked )
    • Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28 Games dates; Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games) (major-sports competition calendar) (la28.org, checked )

    1 + 3 (Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, signature) + 3 (Lighting of the World's Largest Hanukkah Menorahs, signature) + 1 (Parade on Rockaway, single-day) + 1 (Santa Land 7th Annual Community Parade, single-day) = 9. Not counted: Christmas in Historic Richmond Town (2 signature events already count); Night of Inspiration (2 signature events already count); Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Children's Museum (2 signature events already count); NYRR Midnight Run (2 signature events already count); Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop (2 signature events already count)

  • Air quality

    7/10 7/10 Mixed

    Air quality 7/10: 63 of 93 measured days in December (2023–2025) were in EPA's Good range for fine particles (PM2.5 at 9.0 µg/m³ or less), at 26 monitors within 25 miles. It isn't part of the overall score. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency, AirData (monitors operated by New Jersey State Department Of Environmental Protection and New York State Department Of Environmental Conservation).

    How this was scored
    • US Environmental Protection Agency, AirData (monitors operated by New Jersey State Department Of Environmental Protection and New York State Department Of Environmental Conservation) (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • Union City High School monitor (34-017-0008-3), 3.5 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • Jersey City Firehouse monitor (34-017-1003-1), 5.7 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • Jersey City Firehouse monitor (34-017-1003-2), 5.7 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • Jersey City Firehouse monitor (34-017-1003-3), 5.7 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • Paterson monitor (34-031-0005-3), 14.1 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • Elizabeth Lab monitor (34-039-0004-2), 15.7 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • IS 52 monitor (36-005-0110-1), 4.3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • IS 52 monitor (36-005-0110-24), 4.3 miles from the destination point, Other (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • IS 52 monitor (36-005-0110-3), 4.3 miles from the destination point, Quality assurance (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • IS 52 monitor (36-005-0110-4), 4.3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • IS 74 monitor (36-005-0112-4), 5.1 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • PFIZER LAB SITE monitor (36-005-0133-1), 7.7 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • PS 314 monitor (36-047-0052-4), 9.9 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • PS 274 monitor (36-047-0118-4), 6.3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • JHS 126 monitor (36-047-0122-1), 4.3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • EISENHOWER PARK monitor (36-059-0005-4), 20.3 miles from the destination point, General/background (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • IS 45 monitor (36-061-0079-1), 2.3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • IS 45 monitor (36-061-0079-2), 2.3 miles from the destination point, Quality assurance (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • PS 19 monitor (36-061-0128-1), 3.5 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • DIVISION STREET monitor (36-061-0134-4), 4.7 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • CCNY monitor (36-061-0135-4), 3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • QUEENS COLLEGE 2 monitor (36-081-0124-1), 8.3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • QUEENS COLLEGE 2 monitor (36-081-0124-24), 8.3 miles from the destination point (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • QUEENS COLLEGE 2 monitor (36-081-0124-4), 8.3 miles from the destination point, General/background (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • RICHMOND POST OFFICE monitor (36-085-0055-1), 13.4 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • FRESHKILLS WEST monitor (36-085-0111-4), 18.3 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
    • The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )

    2023: 18 of 31 days Good; 2024: 24 of 31 days Good; 2025: 21 of 31 days Good; pooled 63 of 93 = 0.677; 1 + 9 × 0.677 = 7.09 → 7

    This is a summary of past measurements, not health advice. For today's air, see AirNow or the local agency.

New York City through the year: scores out of 10, where 10 is best for the visitor; * marks a provisional score, explained on that month's page

New York City through the year: scores out of 10, where 10 is best for the visitor; * marks a provisional score, explained on that month's page
Aspect Nov 2026 Dec 2026 (this page) Jan 2027 Feb 2027 Mar 2027 Apr 2027 May 2027 Jun 2027 Jul 2027 Aug 2027 Sep 2027 Oct 2027
Overall 6 5 4* provisional 4* provisional 5* provisional 6* provisional 7* provisional 7* provisional 7* provisional 7* provisional 7* provisional 6* provisional
Weather 4 2 2 2 3 6 8 8 8 8 8 6
Crowds 6 6 7 8 6 5 5 5 4 4 5 5
Daylight 4 3 3 5 7 9 10 10 10 10 8 6
Uniqueness 10 9 – not measured – not measured – not measured – not measured – not measured – not measured – not measured – not measured – not measured – not measured
Air quality 8 7 8 8 8 8 8 5 5 6 8 8

Scores summarize official data with the method on How we score. They aren't a recommendation, and any given year can differ.

When to go

December is the heart of New York's holiday season. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and George Balanchine's The Nutcracker both run through the month, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting comes early in the month, Hanukkah menorahs are lit at both Grand Army Plazas in the first half of the month, and the Times Square Ball Drop closes the year on New Year's Eve. The tourism board adds that most holiday markets run through Christmas Eve. NOAA's normals for Central Park give the usual highs, lows, precipitation and snowfall, and the tourism board's weather guide describes the winter months as cold and sometimes snowy, so pack for the cold and check the event dates against your own.

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Trip facts

  • NOAA NCEI's monthly normals (1991-2020) list an average daily high of 44.3 and an average daily low of 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit for New York Central Park (listed by NCEI as New York Cntrl Pk Twr) in December. (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
  • NOAA NCEI's monthly normals (1991-2020) list average monthly precipitation of 4.38 inches and average monthly snowfall of 4.9 inches for New York Central Park in December. (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' weather guide says the winter months are cold and sometimes snowy with less daylight, though the sky is often sunny and clear. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' event listing shows the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting from Dec 2, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 and says the lighting is traditionally on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' event listing shows the Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes from Nov 4, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' event listing shows New York City Ballet's George Balanchine's The Nutcracker from Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' event listing shows the lighting of Hanukkah menorahs from Dec 4, 2026 to Dec 11, 2026, at both Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn and Grand Army Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' event listing shows the Times Square Ball Drop from Dec 31, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' annual events guide lists holiday markets (most through December 24) in Union Square, Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park and Columbus Circle, among other places. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • New York City Tourism + Conventions' transportation page says the three major airports in the New York City area are John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, and that New York is an excellent walking city. (www.nyctourism.com, checked )
  • The Port Authority's JFK Airport alerts page says that, throughout 2026, construction for the $19 billion redevelopment of JFK means motorists and for-hire vehicle users should plan for delays or reroutes, that customers are strongly advised to use mass transit to and from the airport, and that the LIRR runs 20-minute trains from Grand Central Terminal or Penn Station to the AirTrain JFK station at Jamaica. (www.jfkairport.com, checked )
  • The MTA says the subway and bus fare is $3 for most riders and that, with tap and ride, you will pay for no more than $35 of subway and local bus rides in a 7-day period when you use the same OMNY Card, credit or debit card, or mobile device. (www.mta.info, checked )
  • The New York City Office of Special Enforcement says short-term rentals in New York City are only legal if the host is living in the same unit or apartment with the guests, with a limit of two guests (not counting children under the age of 4), and that hosts are not allowed to rent out an entire apartment or home for fewer than 30 days. (www.nyc.gov, checked )

Flights

The tourism board lists JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty as the three major airports in the area, so compare flights into each against how you will reach your stay. The Port Authority's JFK advisories say redevelopment construction is affecting the airport's roads and strongly advise using mass transit, including Long Island Rail Road trains to the AirTrain station at Jamaica. Check the airlines directly for current flight and route information.

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Where to stay

Compare neighborhoods by how close they are to the events on your list and to a subway line, and check whether your dates overlap with the tree lighting, Hanukkah or New Year's Eve in Times Square. If you are weighing a hotel against a rental, read the New York City Office of Special Enforcement's page on short-term rentals, which sets out when they are legal in the city. Look at cancellation terms before you choose.

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Getting around

The tourism board calls New York an excellent walking city and points to the subway and buses for longer trips. The MTA says tap and ride works on subways and buses and that fares are capped for the week when you use the same card or device, so stick to one payment method. If you plan to see the holiday markets, check each market's own dates before you go.

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Things to do

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Stay connected

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Protect the trip

Travel insurance is priced for a specific trip. Once you have booked, compare plans with your real dates and every traveler’s age. Read each plan’s emergency medical and evacuation limits, and what it excludes.

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