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St. John's - Things to Do in St. John's in December

Things to Do in St. John's in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

Good time to visit Low Season · Budget Friendly

December Weather in St. John's

Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance

37°F (3°C) High Temp
28°F (-2°C) Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm) Rainfall
70% Humidity
⚠ North Atlantic storms spin up without warning. Whiteout skies arrive in minutes. Gusts top 80 km/h (50 mph). Seek shelter fast. ⚠ Black ice forms on sidewalks overnight. Walk like a penguin. Small shuffling steps keep you upright. Falls ruin vacations.

Is December Right for You?

Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking

Advantages
  • + December starts iceberg season. Ancient 10,000-year-old bergs drift past Signal Hill. Cape Spear's 1836 lighthouse frames them. You stand at the continent's easternmost point. Bring a scarf. The wind is relentless.
  • + Hotel rates drop 30-40% after October's cruise exodus. Same-week harbor-view rooms appear in St. John's minus the summer gouge. Book online. Sleep cheaper. Wake to foghorns.
  • + George Street Christmas lights weave 120,000 bulbs overhead. The 200-year-old lane glows like a film set after 4:30pm darkness. Duck into pubs. Order Screech. Repeat.
  • + Mummers Parade lands December 27th. Locals wear outrageous costumes, bang ugly sticks, demand pub entry for a drink. Tradition since 1819. Join or watch. Bring cash.
Considerations
  • − Daylight shrinks to 8 hours. Sun up at 7:45am, down by 4:30pm. Icy sidewalks shine by late afternoon. Headlamp essential. Coffee helps.
  • − North Atlantic storms hurl 80 km/h (50 mph) winds. Feels like -15°C (5°F) even above freezing. Damp cold slices through jackets. Zip tight.
  • − East Coast Trail turns treacherous. Ice sheets coat the 540 km (335 mile) coastal path. Dramatic cliff views still tempt. Stay off. Wait for spring.

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Best Activities in December

Top things to do during your visit

Iceberg Boat Tours from St. John's Harbor

December is peak iceberg month. Greenland glaciers calve giants that glide past Newfoundland. A 45-minute boat ride from the harbor brings you within 100m (328 ft) of 15-story ice walls. Winter air sharpens the electric blue against steel-gray Atlantic.

Booking Tip: Book 3-5 days ahead with licensed operators. December tours are weather-dependent, boats smaller than summer. Use the booking widget below for current iceberg tour slots.
George Street Pub Crawl with Mummers

George Street, two blocks of pure pubs, turns festive in December. Christmas lights flicker. Mummers appear unannounced. Locals sport lace-curtain veils, bras outside clothes, painted faces. They shuffle between 25+ bars. Authentic chaos. No script needed.

Booking Tip: No ticket required for the street. Arrive after 8pm any December weekend. For guided mummer tours, reserve 1-2 days ahead through the visitor center.
Signal Hill Winter Hikes with Harbor Views

Signal Hill's 1.6 km (1 mile) climb delivers postcard harbor views minus summer crowds. December's low sun paints golden hour that photographers chase. Jellybean row houses glow like candy. 1762 stone fortifications stand quiet. You might own the hill.

Booking Tip: Self-guided access is free year-round. For Parks Canada interpreter tours including 1897 Cabot Tower, book 24 hours ahead.
Quidi Vidi Brewery Winter Ale Tasting

Quidi Vidi Lake's 1892 building shelters Newfoundland's oldest craft brewery. December brings winter ale releases. They brew with 10,000-year-old iceberg water. Wood stove crackles in the tasting room. Storms rage outside. You stay warm.

Booking Tip: Tours run hourly but weekend slots vanish. Call same-day to reserve. Winter ales sell out by February; December is prime sipping time.
Explore More Activities in St. John's

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Where to Stay in St. John's in December

Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.

Best Western Plus St. Johns Airport Hotel and Suites in St. John's
★★★★ Mid-Range

Best Western Plus St. Johns Airport Hotel and Suites

9.1 Excellent · 106 reviews
From $281 / night
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Packing Checklist

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Need the full list with shopping links?

Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.

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Essential Tips

Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid

Insider Knowledge
Skip Cape Spear crowds. Locals drive 3 km (1.9 mile) to Middle Cove Beach for elevation and solitude. Better angles. No tour buses. George Street pubs skip cover charges in December. Tradition: buy the band a round. Bring cash. Not every bar takes plastic. Newfoundlanders love to talk. Ask about their screech-in tale. You'll hear stories no guidebook dares print. Laugh loudly. The Battery's wooden houses perch on cliffs. Cars can't fit. Park at the base, walk 800m (0.5 mile) for photos. Save your rental.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't assume you can drive to iceberg viewpoints. Coastal roads ice over. Rentals ban winter routes. Stick to tours or city lookouts. Avoid waterfront St. John's hotels without checking window seals. North Atlantic storms whistle through gaps. Thermostat lies. You shiver. Jeans are a rookie error in December. Cotton drinks the North Atlantic spray and clings to skin. You will be cold, wet, and sorry in sixty minutes. Locals stick to wool or synthetic layers. Pack smart.

Ready to plan your trip to St. John's?

Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.

Top Things to Do

Curated attractions, tours, and experiences in St. John's.

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Where to Stay

Best neighbourhoods and hotels for every budget.

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What to Pack

Climate-specific gear and essentials for St. John's.

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Book Experiences in St. John's

Top-rated things to do in St. John's this December

Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour

Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour
★ 4.9 252 reviews from $66
Book now on Viator →
Award Winning 4 Hr Tour w Come From Away star* (lunch included)

Award Winning 4 Hr Tour w Come From Away star* (lunch included)
★ 4.9 170 reviews from $148
Book now on Viator →
Late Season Puffin & Scenic Coastal Cruise

Late Season Puffin & Scenic Coastal Cruise
★ 4.8 18 reviews from $71
Book now on Viator →
Pedego eBike Rental

Pedego eBike Rental
★ 4.8 17 reviews from $89
Book now on Viator →
The Best of St. John's Private Walking Tour

The Best of St. John's Private Walking Tour
★ 4.2 5 reviews from $402
Book now on Viator →
Conception Bay Tour Experience

Conception Bay Tour Experience
★ 4.8 18 reviews from $157
Book now on Viator →

Continue Planning Your Trip

November

Travel guide for November

January

Travel guide for January

Where to Stay in December

Accommodation guide for St. John's in December

Climate Guide in December

Weather and seasonal patterns for St. John's in December

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Best Things to Do in St. John's on a Winter Day?

On a raw winter day in St. John's, The Rooms — the province's flagship museum, art gallery, and archives — is the obvious anchor, with rotating exhibitions on Newfoundland history and culture that can fill a half-day easily. Signal Hill National Historic Site rewards the windswept climb with dramatic views over the Narrows and the open Atlantic, though dress for serious gusts. The Johnson Geo Centre, built into the ancient rock face of Signal Hill itself, makes for a fascinating underground afternoon. When daylight fades early, George Street's dense cluster of pubs is exactly where locals go — and where visitors quickly feel like locals too.

What Are the Best Places to Go in St. John's in December?

Cape Spear, the easternmost point in mainland North America, is starkly beautiful under snow — a short drive from downtown, it feels like standing at the edge of the known world. The colourful Victorian row houses of Jellybean Row look their most photogenic dusted in winter white, and the downtown harbour area has an atmospheric quiet that summer tourists never see. George Street is non-negotiable any time of year, but December brings it a particular warmth. If your visit overlaps with the Mummers Festival in early December, you're in for one of the most singular holiday experiences in Canada.

What Is the Weather Like in St. John's in December?

December in St. John's is genuinely cold, frequently stormy, and reliably dramatic — the city ranks among the snowiest, windiest, and foggiest in all of Canada, and winter doesn't hold back. Daytime highs sit around 0–2°C (32–36°F), with overnight lows near -5°C (23°F), but the North Atlantic wind chill regularly makes it feel 10 degrees colder than that. Expect a rotating mix of snow, freezing rain, and the occasional full blizzard, so waterproof everything and grippy-soled boots are mandatory, not optional. That said, this raw, elemental edge is a core part of what makes St. John's feel unlike anywhere else — locals genuinely embrace it.

Is December a Good Time to Visit St. John's, Newfoundland?

December is a legitimately underrated time to visit — summer crowds are completely gone, accommodation prices drop noticeably, and the city's authentic character comes through more clearly without the tourist season overlay. You won't find icebergs or humpback whales (those are April–July draws), but the dramatic coastline, centuries-old pub culture, and walkable historic downtown are just as compelling under snow. The Mummers Festival in early December is one of the most distinctly Newfoundland events on the calendar. The main trade-off is short daylight (about 8 hours) and real winter weather — if you can make peace with both, December is genuinely rewarding.

What Is Mummering, and When Does the Mummers Festival Happen in St. John's?

Mummering is a centuries-old Newfoundland tradition where people disguise themselves in elaborate, often absurd costumes and visit neighbours' homes during the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25 to January 6), challenging hosts to identify them before being invited in for food and drink. In St. John's, this tradition has been revived and expanded into the Mummers Festival, which typically runs in early December on and around George Street, with parades, live music, and costumed street events that visitors can join. It's genuinely unlike any other Christmas tradition in Canada. Check the festival's official website closer to your travel dates for the exact schedule, as it shifts year to year.

How Many Hours of Daylight Does St. John's Get in December?

St. John's sees roughly 8 to 8.5 hours of daylight in early December, shrinking to around 8 hours at the winter solstice on December 21 — sunrise falls near 7:50 AM and sunset around 4:15 PM. That's short but not Scandinavian-level short, and the low-angle winter light that hits the harbour and Signal Hill in the middle of the day can be genuinely beautiful for photography. Plan outdoor excursions to Cape Spear or the waterfront for midday, and treat the long evenings as an invitation to explore the bar and live music scene St. John's is quietly famous for.

Are There Christmas Events or Markets in St. John's in December?

St. John's doesn't have a large-scale European-style Christmas market, but it has something more authentic: a genuinely community-rooted holiday calendar. The Mummers Festival (typically early December on George Street) is the headline event, and The Rooms often runs special programming and late openings during the season. Local venues, theatres, and churches host concerts and holiday performances throughout the month — the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra typically runs December programming worth checking out. For the most current listings, Tourism Newfoundland's events calendar and the city's local arts outlets are your best sources.

What Should I Pack for a December Trip to St. John's?

Pack for a place that takes winter seriously: a windproof, fully waterproof outer shell is the single most important item — down jackets lose much of their insulation when wet, and freezing rain is common. Thermal base layers, a mid-layer fleece, and wool socks will carry you through most days, and waterproof boots with genuine grip are essential since sidewalks alternate between ice and slush. Bring gloves you can actually use (not just dress gloves), a hat that covers your ears, and if you're planning time at exposed headlands like Cape Spear or Signal Hill, a neck gaiter or balaclava is entirely reasonable. Overpacking layers is a mistake you will never regret in St. John's in December.