Things to Do in St. John's in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in St. John's
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Winter festival season brings the city alive - George Street transforms into a pedestrian-friendly holiday market with local artisans, live music most evenings, and that particular energy that only happens when locals are genuinely celebrating rather than performing for tourists
- Minimal competition for accommodations and attractions means you'll actually get into the restaurants locals recommend without three-week advance bookings, and hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to summer peak season
- The dramatic winter landscape makes Signal Hill and Cape Spear legitimately spectacular - when fog rolls in off the Atlantic (which happens maybe 8-10 days this month), the coastal scenery becomes properly moody and photogenic in ways the sunny season never achieves
- December is when you see how St. John's actually functions as a living city rather than a tourist destination - you'll share pubs with offshore workers just back from the rigs, catch university students finishing exams, and experience the genuine downtown rhythm without cruise ship crowds
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 7:45am, sunset by 4:15pm means you're working with roughly 8.5 hours of usable light, and outdoor photography or hiking needs to happen in a compressed midday window
- Weather unpredictability is real and can derail plans - that 10 rainy days figure doesn't capture the rapid shifts between clear, foggy, drizzly, and occasionally icy conditions that can all happen in a single afternoon, making rigid itineraries frustrating
- The cold feels colder than the temperature suggests because of the dampness and wind - that -2°C (28°F) low with 70% humidity and Atlantic winds creates a penetrating chill that catches visitors from drier climates off guard, even if you're used to snow
Best Activities in December
Historic Downtown Walking Tours
December is actually ideal for exploring the downtown core on foot because the shorter days mean you're naturally walking during the warmest part of the day (usually 11am-3pm when temperatures peak around 5-7°C or 41-45°F), and the colorful row houses look particularly striking against grey winter skies. The steep hills around Water Street and Duckworth Street are manageable with proper footwear, and you'll have the narrow lanes mostly to yourself. Most guided walking tours run 90 minutes to 2 hours, covering about 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) of relatively flat terrain with a few steep sections.
East Coast Trail Coastal Hiking
The East Coast Trail system offers winter hiking that's genuinely different from summer - fewer bugs, dramatic wave action against the cliffs, and that particular clarity of light you only get in cold weather. The Spout Path (5.5 km or 3.4 miles round trip) and Deadman's Bay Path (5.3 km or 3.3 miles) are both accessible in December if conditions are dry, though you'll want to check trail status before heading out. Start by 10am to maximize daylight, and expect hiking to take 50% longer than summer because of caution on potentially icy sections.
Craft Brewery and Distillery Visits
St. John's has developed a legitimate craft alcohol scene over the past decade, and December is when locals actually frequent these spots rather than tourists. Quidi Vidi Brewery, YellowBelly Brewery, and Port Rexton Brewing Company's downtown location offer tours and tastings in warm indoor environments - perfect for afternoon activities when you want a break from the cold. Most brewery tours run 45-60 minutes with tastings included, and the casual atmosphere means you'll likely end up chatting with regulars who can offer unfiltered local recommendations.
The Rooms Museum and Cultural Experiences
The Rooms provincial museum becomes particularly valuable in December when weather limits outdoor time - it's the kind of place where you can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring Newfoundland history, art galleries, and the top-floor views of the harbor. The building itself is architecturally striking, and the permanent collections on fishing industry history and indigenous cultures provide context that makes the rest of your visit more meaningful. December often features special exhibitions timed to holiday visitors.
Signal Hill and Cabot Tower Exploration
Signal Hill is accessible year-round and offers the most dramatic views of the city and Atlantic coastline, particularly when winter weather creates those moody atmospheric conditions. The drive or walk up is about 2 km (1.2 miles) from downtown, and Cabot Tower at the summit provides both historical context and shelter from wind. December means you'll have the site largely to yourself - summer sees hundreds of daily visitors, while winter might have a dozen. The Ladies Lookout trail is usually walkable in December unless there's been recent freezing rain.
Traditional Music Sessions in Downtown Pubs
St. John's has one of the most authentic traditional music scenes in Atlantic Canada, and December is when the quality actually peaks because touring musicians are home for the holidays and local players are in celebratory moods. Sessions typically start around 9pm and run until midnight or later, concentrated along George Street and in pubs like The Ship, O'Reilly's, and The Celtic Hearth. This isn't performative tourist entertainment - these are legitimate sessions where musicians play for each other and locals, and you're welcome to listen.
December Events & Festivals
Merry Monday Festival
This relatively new December tradition takes over downtown with evening markets, live music performances, and local food vendors setting up along Water Street and Duckworth Street. It's genuinely local-focused rather than tourist-oriented, which means you'll see actual St. John's families out shopping and socializing rather than performative holiday cheer. The festival typically features local artisans selling handmade goods, craft beer and spirits from Newfoundland producers, and traditional music performances.
Downtown Holiday Market
The indoor-outdoor holiday market runs most weekends in December, featuring local crafters, food producers, and artists. What makes this worthwhile is the concentration of legitimate Newfoundland-made products - sealskin mittens, locally designed jewelry using sea glass, preserves made from partridgeberries and bakeapples. It's held in heated tents and indoor spaces around the downtown core, making it accessible even in cold weather.