When to go · Ottawa
Ottawa in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Christmas markets and ski openings; winter tyres required on many BC highways.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- −2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) / −9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 0
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- High
- Canada overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Christmas markets and ski openings; winter tyres required on many BC highways.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- OttawaHighs around -2 °C (28 °F), lows around -9 °C (16 °F), rain on about 0 daysHighs around 28 °F (-2 °C), lows around 16 °F (-9 °C), rain on about 0 days
- Ontario and Great Lakes, Canada · Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Algonquincool
Humid summers, snowy winters; late September–October foliage in Algonquin.
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 Ottawa, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Dec: -9 °C (16 °F)16 °F (-9 °C)
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 0 (better)
May: 12
Crowds
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
May: 0
December: Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Christmas markets and ski openings; winter tyres required on many BC highways.
May: Inside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.
Ottawa: 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