When to go · Bologna
Bologna in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across Italy: Christmas markets in Bolzano and Merano, cribs (presepi) in Naples; ski season opens around 8 December.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) / 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Medium
- Italy overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Italy overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across Italy: Christmas markets in Bolzano and Merano, cribs (presepi) in Naples; ski season opens around 8 December.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- BolognaHighs around 8 °C (46 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 46 °F (8 °C), lows around 36 °F (2 °C), rain on about 8 days
- Po Valley and the north, Italy · Milan, Venice, Verona, Bologna, Turincool
Foggy, damp winters; sticky summers with mosquitoes near the lagoon. Venice acqua alta floods most often October–December (the MOSE barriers now stop the worst).
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas and St Stephen's Day big impact
25–26 Dec · Italy
Most shops, museums and many restaurants shut on the 25th; papal Christmas Mass in Rome.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Italy overall
- Medium
- Prices · Italy overall
- Medium
Italy overall: Christmas markets in Bolzano and Merano, cribs (presepi) in Naples; ski season opens around 8 December.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Bologna, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Apr: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Dec: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Apr: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 8
Apr: 8
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Apr: High
Prices
Dec: Medium
Apr: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Apr: 1
December: Outside the best window (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across Italy: Christmas markets in Bolzano and Merano, cribs (presepi) in Naples; ski season opens around 8 December.
April: Inside Bologna's best window: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Bologna: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket