Best Time to Visit New York City in December
Weather, crowds, costs, and events for visiting New York City in December
Best Time to Visit New York City in December
The best times to visit New York City are April to October for peak tourist season, and January to November for the cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Both combine favourable conditions with better value than peak alone, and New York City at its most rewarding.
AT A GLANCE
June to July
Warm: Peak tourist season. Crowds run High — book 3–4 months ahead.
April to October
Peak tourist season. Crowd level is High; peak pricing.
January to November
Cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Crowd level is Low; book 2–4 weeks ahead.
Which season is best for New York City?
December falls in winter — here's what to expect.
Spring
Spring — Garden Walks
March · April · May
Spring season
Spring is when travellers book New York City for garden walks. Garden Walks timing runs New York City (early April); Los Angeles (mid April); Miami (late April). Expect 7–17°C averages with 8–10 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights.
Early Blooms [Mar], Spring window [Apr], Clear Trails [May]
Mar 7°C, Apr 12°C, May 17°C — mixed skies (8–10 rain days)
First-timers, photographers, couples, soft hikers
April pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. May brings 10 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to New York City in Spring?
Book New York City's garden walks for April at least 2–3 months out, then spend 2 nights in Los Angeles in March where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer spring days.
Summer
Summer — Warm Evenings
June · July · August
Warm season
Summer is when travellers book New York City for warm evenings. Warm Evenings timing runs New York City (early June); Los Angeles (mid June); Miami (late June). Expect 22–26°C averages with 9–11 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $180–$250/night and high crowds fill the main sights.
Warm Evenings [Jun], Warm Evenings [Jul], Long Evenings [Aug]
Jun 22°C, Jul 26°C, Aug 25°C — mixed skies (9–11 rain days)
Festival-goers, families, beach seekers, nightlife fans
June pushes rates to $180–$250/night with high crowds at headline sights. June brings 11 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to New York City in Summer?
Book New York City's warm evenings for June at least 3–4 months out, then spend 2 nights in Los Angeles in June where peak rates and high crowds trade a short hop for calmer summer days.
Autumn
Autumn — Crisp Hiking
September · October · November
Mild season
Autumn is when travellers book New York City for crisp hiking. Crisp Hiking timing runs New York City (early September); Los Angeles (mid September); Miami (late September). Expect 8–20°C averages with 7–8 rain days/month and medium crowds — and yet shoulder gaps still leave medium footfall on peak weekends Mid-season sits near 20°C with 8 rain days in September.
Mild Walks [Sep], Crisp window [Oct], Cool Wandering [Nov]
Sep 20°C, Oct 14°C, Nov 8°C — mostly clearer skies (7–8 rain days)
Photographers, hikers, food travellers, couples
September pushes rates to $90–$130/night with medium crowds at headline sights. September brings 8 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to New York City in Autumn?
Book New York City's crisp hiking for September at least 4–6 weeks out, then spend 2 nights in Los Angeles in September where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer autumn days.
Winter
Winter — Holiday Lights
December · January · February
Festive season
Winter is when travellers book New York City for holiday lights. Holiday Lights timing runs New York City (early December); Los Angeles (mid December); Miami (late December). Expect 2–3°C averages with 7–8 rain days/month and medium crowds — and yet shoulder gaps still leave medium footfall on peak weekends Mid-season sits near 3°C with 8 rain days in December.
Festive window [Dec], Quiet Streets [Jan], Quiet Streets [Feb]
Dec 3°C, Jan 2°C, Feb 3°C — mixed skies (7–8 rain days)
Skiers, budget travellers, museum lovers, festive shoppers
December pushes rates to $90–$130/night with medium crowds at headline sights. December brings 8 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to New York City in Winter?
Book New York City's holiday lights for December at least 4–6 weeks out, then spend 2 nights in Los Angeles in December where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer winter days.
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Which month is best for New York City?
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Crowds | Cost | Overall | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C | 8 | Low | $ Budget | ★ Avoid | Quiet winter days |
| February | 3°C | 7 | Low | $ Budget | ★★ Okay | Quiet budget travel |
| March | 7°C | 8 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★ Okay | Early spring walks |
| April | 12°C | 9 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Spring city walking |
| May | 17°C | 10 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Comfortable sightseeing |
| June | 22°C | 11 | High | $$$$ Peak | ★★★ Great | Warm outdoor days |
| July | 26°C | 10 | Very High | $$$$ Peak | ★★ Okay | Warm outdoor days |
| August | 25°C | 9 | High | $$$ High | ★★ Okay | Warm evening outings |
| September | 20°C | 8 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★★ Great | Mild city walking |
| October | 14°C | 7 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★★ Great | Crisp outdoor walking |
| November | 8°C | 7 | Low | $ Budget | ★★ Okay | Cool quiet wandering |
| December | 3°C | 8 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★ Okay | Festive city lights |
Temperatures shown as New York City monthly averages.
New York City Events in December
Events worth timing your trip around — and how they affect crowds and prices.
Festive / winter peak in United States
Festive / winter peak in United States is one of the few United States windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in New York City. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — New York City December. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 3°C with 8 rain days and medium crowds.
What to expect
- Expect medium footfall around New York City during December, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 3°C and 8 rain days shape outdoor plans in New York City across December.
- Skipping the first weekend of December in New York City often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for New York City (December) sell out 4–6 weeks ahead — leftover inventory skews to less convenient areas.
Planning tips
- Book stays and reserved transport at least 4–6 weeks before DEC dates; peak medium demand removes flexible inventory first.
- Check United States national tourism board seasonal pages before you lock flights or hotels — Verify current-year advisories before booking. Drop any date that the source has not confirmed for 2026.
- Keep long-haul moves outside the busiest December weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
When is New York City Cheapest to Visit?
Timing your trip right can save 25 to 40 percent on flights and hotels. Green months are cheapest, red months are most expensive.
Cheapest window
January–November. Save about 25–40% versus $$$$ Peak June; hotels track the same flight discounts in this $ Budget window, so flight and stay costs move together.
Book early regardless
June and July sell out entirely when crowds hit High and pricing hits $$$$ Peak — book accommodation 3–4 months ahead regardless of budget, not only flights.
Best value sweet spot
September and October: great weather on this page (~20°C, 8 rain days) at $$ Mid pricing; Medium crowds still keep it from matching June’s sell-out rush.
Cheapest months to visit New York City
January–November is the cheapest stretch to visit New York City. $ Budget months on this page typically cut flights about 25–35% versus $$$$ Peak, with hotel rates moving in step rather than lagging. Averages sit near 2°C with roughly 8 rain days, so packing stays simple if you accept cooler or wetter days. The exception: festival or holiday spikes inside an otherwise cheap month can briefly push stays toward $$ Mid even when the band still reads $ Budget.
Most expensive months to visit New York City
June and July are the most expensive months to visit New York City. $$$$ Peak and $$$ High rows align with High or Very High crowds and the 3–4 months booking lead already shown for sell-outs. Expect the 25–40% saving story to reverse here — you pay the premium the chart paints in red. Weather can still look strong (22°C, 11 rain days in June), which is why demand sticks. The exception: a shoulder week just outside the core peak label sometimes dips to $$$ High instead of full $$$$.
Best value months to visit New York City
September and October offer the best value months to visit New York City. Great-rated weather pairs with $$ Mid instead of $$$$ Peak, so you keep comfort without the full 25–40% penalty of peak pricing. September averages about 20°C with 8 rain days and Medium crowds — busy enough for open attractions, not yet June-style sell-outs. The exception: once a “value” month overlaps a major holiday cluster, lead times jump back toward 3–4 months even if the cost word has not flipped to $$$$ Peak.
Best Time to Visit New York City For…
January–November. Flights are typically 25–35% cheaper than peak season — base in New York City and keep trips flexible inside that budget window.
January–November. Crowd level stays Low with about 2°C averages — base in New York City for quieter streets and easier bookings.
April and May and October. Expect around 12°C with a great rating — base in New York City for the most comfortable sightseeing days.
April and May or October. April and May maximises iconic weather in New York City but draws higher crowds and peak pricing; October trades that rush for calmer streets and still-strong ratings.
October. Base in New York City for crisp foliage day trips upstate and in the Hudson Valley.
March and April. Base in Las Vegas for mild pool weather and nearby canyon day trips before summer heat.
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Best Time to Visit Each City in United States
Timing varies across United States's main cities. Here is when each is at its best.
New York City Travel Essentials
- Currency & cards
- US dollar (USD). Cards are standard almost everywhere; cash is useful for tips, small vendors, and some transit.
- Connectivity
- eSIM or major-carrier prepaid plans cover cities well. Free Wi‑Fi is common in hotels, cafés, and airports.
- Domestic transport
- Cities vary: subway, bus, or ride-hailing locally; domestic flights or intercity trains and coaches for longer hops.
- Etiquette & logistics
- Tip for sit-down meals and rides where customary. Keep ID handy for domestic flights and some attractions.
- Visa / entry
- Confirm entry rules on the official U.S. Department of State visa pages before you travel. Official source
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New York City Travel Timing — FAQ
Everything you need to know about timing your New York City trip
Most travellers cover New York City's core highlights in a short city break, then add nights only if you want day trips beyond the centre. Anchor those days in the April–October window shown here so weather and pacing stay aligned.
Everything You Need to Plan Your United States Trip
Jump to any guide, itinerary, or planning resource for United States.
How we work this out
Temperature and rainfall figures are 30-year meteorological averages. Crowd levels come from national tourism arrival data. Price bands reflect mid-range accommodation and economy flights from major long-haul cities, sampled quarterly.
Last updated 18 July 2026 · Written by the Holicay travel team