When to go · Johannesburg
Johannesburg in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (afternoon thunderstorms, peak crowds and prices); Jun–Jul nights near freezing.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C) / 15°C (58°F)58°F (15°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- High
- South Africa overall
- Prices
- High
- South Africa overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (afternoon thunderstorms, peak crowds and prices); Jun–Jul nights near freezing.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- AprilGreatInside Johannesburg's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct (dry, mild, clear).
- MayGreatInside Johannesburg's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct (dry, mild, clear).
- SeptemberGreatInside Johannesburg's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct (dry, mild, clear).
- OctoberGreatInside Johannesburg's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct (dry, mild, clear).
Weather in December
- JohannesburgHighs around 25.5 °C (78 °F), lows around 14.5 °C (58 °F), rain on about 13 daysHighs around 78 °F (25.5 °C), lows around 58 °F (14.5 °C), rain on about 13 days
- Highveld, South Africa · Johannesburg, Pretoriarainy
At 1,750 m: afternoon thunderstorms in summer, sunny frosty winters.
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.
Day of Reconciliation big impact
16 Dec · South Africa
Start of the peak summer holidays.
Christmas Day and Day of Goodwill big impact
25–26 Dec · South Africa
Coast and parks at full capacity; many businesses close until early January.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Africa overall
- High
- Prices · South Africa overall
- High
South Africa overall: Peak domestic holiday: coast, Garden Route and park camps full; book 6–12 months ahead.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Johannesburg, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 25.5 °C (78 °F)78 °F (25.5 °C)
Apr: 21.7 °C (71 °F)71 °F (21.7 °C)
Night low
Dec: 14.5 °C (58 °F)58 °F (14.5 °C)
Apr: 10.7 °C (51 °F)51 °F (10.7 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 13
Apr: 5 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Apr: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
Apr: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 2
Apr: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (afternoon thunderstorms, peak crowds and prices); Jun–Jul nights near freezing.
April: Inside Johannesburg's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct (dry, mild, clear).
Johannesburg: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast