Dublin Weather in December
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 15 rainy days across the month, on average.
By the time December arrives, Dublin is running on a raw chill that settles into stone, and daily plans start to reshape themselves around it. Averages sit around 9.5°C (49.1°F) by day and 5.2°C (41.4°F) after dark, with rainfall near 96 mm across roughly 14.8 rainy days — a persistent presence that reshapes the pavements. Daylight runs about 3.4 hours per day, compact daylight that puts a premium on morning starts, and the season stamps its signature on details like the Georgian doors of Merrion Square.
On the ground, cold shapes the timing. Time around Temple Bar lanes shows best in mid-morning light before the chill deepens; warm interiors — cafés, museums, shops near Grafton Street — carry the middle of the day. Evenings run short outdoors and long indoors, which suits the local rhythm rather than fighting it.
Reading across 11 complete years (2015–2025), December in Dublin has trended less predictable in recent seasons, with the last few years pushing daytime highs and rainfall patterns modestly away from the older normals. The 2026 signal so far tracks the recent shape rather than the long-run midpoint — meaning what you see above is weighted to how this month has actually been running, not a smoothed 30-year picture that masks the shift.
For travellers planning around 2026, this profile is the honest baseline. Match the packing list to the numbers — not to the month name — and you avoid the classic mismatch of arriving with the wrong shell, the wrong shoes, or the wrong daylight assumptions. The rest of this page breaks down what to wear, what to do, and how the season tends to run for Dublin visitors in 2026.
Real Dubliners drink in the Stoneybatter triangle around Mulligan Grocers, not Temple Bar which locals call 'the tax on tourists.' The 46A bus to Dun Laoghaire beats any tour to see Joyce's Martello tower. Coppers nightclub on Harcourt Street is where nurses and gardai marry each other after 3am shifts. Boxty and coddle are winter-only; smoked mackerel from Cavistons in Glasthule is the summer move.
What to pack for Dublin in December
With highs only near 9.5°C and lows around 5.2°C, cold-weather kit is non-negotiable, especially for long walking days. Waterproofing matters this month — expect meaningful rain and plan around it.
- a heavy waterproof coat
- a warm jumper
- waterproof boots
- a beanie
- gloves
What to pack for Dublin in December
- →Lightweight fleeceAmazon · shop this
- →Merino travel socksAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
- →Anti-theft crossbody bagAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Dublin
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Dublin across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated December trip to Dublin
Peak season prices — book early or shift by 2–3 weeks to save. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
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Delayed flight to Dublin?
Flights to Dublin in December can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
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Things worth doing
Best-fit activities include pub sessions, museum visits, literary walks, and coastal DART trips — a mix suited to the month's daylight and weather pattern.
December vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Dublin. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Dublin
While December has its own character in Dublin, the data-backed best months to visit Dublin are May, June, July, August. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across an 11-year climate record (2015–2025).
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for DublinOther places with a similar climate right now
Dublin in December — FAQ
Q01Should I visit Dublin in December?
Should I visit Dublin in December?
It is a fair time to visit — expect variable conditions and plan flexibility. In December, Dublin averages a high of 10°C (49°F) and a low of 5°C (41°F), with 96mm of rainfall across roughly 15 rainy days. May-June catches the Liffey Boardwalk in daylight until 10pm plus Bloomsday on June 16, before American tour buses swamp Temple Bar in July.
Q02What temperatures should I expect in Dublin during December?
What temperatures should I expect in Dublin during December?
The average high temperature in Dublin during December is 10°C (49°F), with an average low of 5°C (41°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive). January greyness pushes locals into trad sessions at Cobblestone in Smithfield; hotel rates crash but 4pm sunset kills sightseeing.
Q03Is December a rainy month in Dublin?
Is December a rainy month in Dublin?
Dublin averages approximately 15 rainy days in December, with a total monthly rainfall of about 96mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days. Rain arrives as horizontal Atlantic mist, not downpour; DART trains keep running and locals never carry umbrellas, just hoods.
Q04How should I dress for Dublin in December?
How should I dress for Dublin in December?
For Dublin in December, pack a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. A packable windproof shell rated for 40mph gusts because Dublin's rain moves sideways off the Irish Sea.
Q05Is December a busy travel month for Dublin?
Is December a busy travel month for Dublin?
Tourist crowds in Dublin during December are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Real Dubliners drink in the Stoneybatter triangle around Mulligan Grocers, not Temple Bar which locals call 'the tax on tourists.' The 46A bus to Dun Laoghaire beats any tour to see Joyce's Martello tower. Coppers nightclub on Harcourt Street is where nurses and gardai marry each other after 3am shifts. Boxty and coddle are winter-only; smoked mackerel from Cavistons in Glasthule is the summer move.