When to go · Calgary
Calgary in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan (cold snaps below −20 °C (−4 °F)), late Nov–early Mar for walking trips.Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan (cold snaps below −4 °F (−20 °C)), late Nov–early Mar for walking trips.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) / −12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- High
- Canada overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jan (cold snaps below −20 °C (−4 °F)), late Nov–early Mar for walking trips.Listed as a month to avoid: Jan (cold snaps below −4 °F (−20 °C)), late Nov–early Mar for walking trips.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- FebruaryGreatInside Calgary's best window: Jun–Sep; Feb for skiing and chinook breaks.
- JuneGreatInside Calgary's best window: Jun–Sep; Feb for skiing and chinook breaks.
- JulyGreatInside Calgary's best window: Jun–Sep; Feb for skiing and chinook breaks.
- AugustGreatInside Calgary's best window: Jun–Sep; Feb for skiing and chinook breaks.
Weather in December
- CalgaryHighs around 0 °C (32 °F), lows around -12 °C (10 °F), rain on about 13 daysHighs around 32 °F (0 °C), lows around 10 °F (-12 °C), rain on about 13 days
- Prairies, Canada · Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatooncool
Very cold winters (−30 °C (−22 °F) spells), warm sunny summers; Calgary Stampede in July.Very cold winters (−22 °F (−30 °C) spells), warm sunny summers; Calgary Stampede in July.
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 Boxing Day big impact
25–26 Dec · Canada
Most businesses closed on the 25th; Boxing Day sales.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Canada overall
- Medium
- Prices · Canada overall
- High
Canada overall: Christmas markets and ski openings; winter tyres required on many BC highways.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Calgary, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Feb: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Night low
Dec: -12 °C (10 °F)10 °F (-12 °C)
Feb: -12 °C (10 °F)10 °F (-12 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 13
Feb: 12 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Feb: Low
Prices
Dec: High
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Feb: 0
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Jan (cold snaps below −20 °C), late Nov–early Mar for walking trips.
February: Inside Calgary's best window: Jun–Sep; Feb for skiing and chinook breaks.
Calgary: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket