When to go · Denver
Denver in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) / −7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- High
- United States overall
- Prices
- High
- United States overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- DenverHighs around 7 °C (45 °F), lows around -7 °C (19 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 45 °F (7 °C), lows around 19 °F (-7 °C), rain on about 5 days
- Rockies and national parks, United States · Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Denvercool
High roads (Going-to-the-Sun, Beartooth, Trail Ridge) open only about June–October; snow possible any month at altitude.
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 Day big impact
25 Dec · United States
Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- High
- Prices · United States overall
- High
United States overall: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Denver, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
Dec: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
May: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 5 (better)
May: 10
Crowds
Dec: High
May: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
May: 1
December: Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
May: Inside Denver's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Denver: 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