United States, North America

Austin in December

Trail of Lights in Zilker Park and a relaxed downtown. Cedar fever returns late month. Good value outside the holiday week.

GoodMild, highs near 63F (17C), cool nights

Austin Texas skyline, United States — AustinPhoto: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Austin. Trail of Lights in Zilker Park and a relaxed downtown. Cedar fever returns late month. Good value outside the holiday week.

Weather: Mild, highs near 63F (17C), cool nights
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Austin

December is mild in Austin, with highs near 63F (17C), cool nights, and plenty of sunny days. Downtown feels relaxed, crowds are light, and hotel rates are low outside the holiday week. The Trail of Lights fills Zilker Park with a mile of holiday displays. Late in the month, cedar fever returns, so allergy sufferers should come prepared.

This month suits families who want holiday lights, couples on a cozy city break, and budget travelers. It is not a swimming or wildflower month. For those, plan for April or May, and for the most comfortable fall weather, choose November.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Austin this month.

Trail of Lights

A mile-long walk of holiday light displays runs in Zilker Park. Weeknights early in the run are the least crowded.

Good value before the holidays

Hotel rates are low in the first half of the month, and restaurants and music venues are easy to get into.

Cool days for the Capitol grounds

Mild weather makes it easy to walk the Capitol grounds and downtown without summer heat.

What to pack for December

A warm jacket for chilly nights
Antihistamines for cedar fever late in the month
Comfortable walking shoes for the Trail of Lights
Layers for mild afternoons

Our timing tip

Visit the Trail of Lights on a weeknight early in its run, and book the first half of December for the best rates.

Book Austin for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Austin
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Austin
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Austin for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Trail of Lights

December

A mile-long walk of holiday light displays in Zilker Park. Weeknights early in the run are the least crowded.

Things to do in Austin

Full guide

Barton Springs Pool

Go at opening on a weekday for the quiet swim. Check the city schedule for weekly cleaning closures and reduced winter hours before you drive over.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Congress Avenue Bridge bat flight

Roughly March through October, the Mexican free-tailed bats pour out at dusk. Watch from the bridge, the lawn by the Statesman site, or a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Late summer brings the biggest flights.

Tickets and tours →

Texas State Capitol

Taller than the US Capitol and free to tour, with guided tours daily. The grounds are a shaded escape downtown and a good first stop with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The best one-stop primer on Texas, a block from the Capitol. A reliable air-conditioned half day in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Peak bloom runs March through May. The spring plant sale and the bluebonnet fields make April the showpiece month.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard, walk the 10-mile Butler Trail loop, and picnic on the Great Lawn. Before 9am in summer is the only sane window.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the SXSW, ACL, F1, and UT football calendars before you book anything. A random weekend in October can cost double the weekend before it.
Stay midweek. Austin fills with weekend visitors and bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday through Saturday; Sunday through Wednesday hotel rates drop hard.
Barbecue lines: arrive before the pit opens on a weekday, or order ahead where it is offered. Many famous spots sell out of brisket by early afternoon.
For bluebonnets, go on a weekday morning and drive past the famous roadside spots; fields a few miles farther out are just as good and nearly empty.

Know before you go

ACL Fest closes a large part of Zilker Park for weeks around the festival for setup and recovery, and Barton Springs parking and access are affected. Check city notices if a swim is on your October list.
Barton Springs Pool closes for regular cleaning and occasional flood debris; a big rain upstream can shut it for days. Always check the pool page the morning you go.
Hamilton Pool and many Hill Country swimming spots close swimming after heavy rain or for bacteria counts, sometimes for long stretches. Reservations do not guarantee a swim.
Central Texas sits in Flash Flood Alley. Spring and fall storms can flood low-water crossings in minutes. Never drive into water over a road; turn around.

Austin in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Austin?

December is a good month to visit Austin. Trail of Lights in Zilker Park and a relaxed downtown. Cedar fever returns late month. Good value outside the holiday week.

What is the weather like in Austin in December?

Mild, highs near 63F (17C), cool nights.

Is Austin crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in Austin; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Austin in December?

Trail of Lights (december).