Things to Do in Christchurch in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Christchurch
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
69°F (21°C)
High Temp
50°F (10°C)
Low Temp
1.9 inches (48 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Summer peaks in Hagley Park where the Garden Festival packs 150+ stalls and night markets that reek of wood-fired pizza and fresh basil.
- + You get 15+ hours of daylight, enough to pedal Summit Road at 8pm and still watch golden hour spill across Lyttelton Harbour.
- + Strawberries rule the roadside: pull over on State Highway 1 and buy punnets so ripe the juice tattoos your fingers scarlet.
- + Sumner's main beach warms to 20°C (68°F) before the pre-Christmas hordes land, sea and sand to yourself.
Considerations
- − The UV index punches 8, 9; skip SPF 50+ and you'll fry in 20 minutes, on the bald Port Hills.
- − Accommodation rates leap 40% from mid-December when Kiwi holidaymakers lock in their summer leave.
- − Once school breaks up, snagging a table at The Bicycle Thief means calling two weeks ahead.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Christchurch in December moves to a gentle, sunlit rhythm. The air warms to temperatures that feel mild after winter's chill, with averages matching November's pleasant conditions. Locals shed layers and take to outdoor cafes lining the Avon River, where the scent of freshly cut grass mixes with the cool, mineral smell of the water. You'll see long shadows cast by Gothic stone of the cathedral ruins against a sky that stays light well into evening. This is a time for unhurried exploration in Christchurch, a month where the city feels open and relaxed, its parks filled with the sound of children playing and the distant chime of the tram. While specific events are not confirmed, the general atmosphere is one of anticipation as the year draws to a close. For those considering where to stay in Christchurch, the central city offers convenient proximity to the regenerating heart, while neighborhoods like Merivale or Fendalton provide a quieter, leafy respite. The question of what to do in Christchurch is answered by a balance of urban regeneration and access to profound natural landscapes, many captured in day trips and tours departing from the city. The weather in Christchurch during this month is reliably temperate, with rainfall comparable to spring months, making it a stable window for planning outdoor activities without peak summer crowds that arrive later in the season.
Luxury Private Guided Crater Rim Walk on Banks Peninsula
walking_tourYou'll traverse the rim of an ancient volcanic crater, feeling the Canterbury nor'wester push against you as you gaze over the deep blue of Lyttelton Harbour on one side and the patchwork plains on the other. The guide points out the pungent, herbal scent of native matagouri scrub and the distant cry of a hawk riding thermal currents.
This walk delivers a raw, geological narrative of the land Christchurch is built upon, far from the city's orderly streets.
Insider tip: Request an early morning start to beat the heat on the exposed ridgeline and to experience the clearest views before afternoon haze settles in.
Christchurch to Franz Josef One Way Day Tour with TranzAlpine
guided_experienceYou'll hear the rhythmic clatter of the train crossing the Southern Alps before transferring to a coach that winds past lakes the color of crushed turquoise, finally arriving at the cool, misty air of the glacier valley.
It efficiently combines an excellent rail journey with a direct route to the West Coast's glacial landscapes.
Insider tip: Secure a window seat on the train's left-hand side when departing Christchurch for the most dramatic alpine vistas as you climb.
Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch
day_tripYou'll see the impossible, milky-blue glow of Lake Tekapo, feel the dry, thin air at the base of New Zealand's tallest peak, and taste the crispness of mountain water.
It brings you face-to-face with the Southern Alps' most photographed vistas in a single, long but rewarding day.
Insider tip: Pack layers. The temperature difference between Christchurch and the Mount Cook region can be sharp, even in December.
6 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Christchurch
private_tourYou'll hear the silence of a beech forest, smell the salt spray in Milford Sound, and feel the smooth, cold touch of quartzite stones on a remote beach.
It offers complete flexibility to explore the South Island's grand themes, alpine, lake, and fjord, at a pace set entirely by your group.
Insider tip: Use the private guide's expertise to deviate from the standard route for a secluded lunch spot or a short walk not found in guidebooks.
Christchurch Long Ride Zipline
adventureYou'll feel the rush of air as you speed above the green canopy of the Botanic Gardens, see the colorful geometry of the Container Mall from above, and hear the zip of the line against the backdrop of urban sounds.
It is the fastest and most adrenaline-fueled way to survey the city's innovative rebuild.
Insider tip: Book for a late afternoon slot. The angle of the sun casts long, dramatic shadows across the cityscape, enhancing the visual drama.
Small Group Southern Loop 7 Days Tour
guided_experienceYou'll taste Central Otago pinot noir, feel the gritty spray of a glacier lake, and see the evening light turn the Remarkables mountain range a deep shade of purple.
It covers an immense variety of landscapes and towns with the camaraderie of a small, fixed group.
Insider tip: A seat on the right side of the coach when traveling south from Christchurch generally offers better views of the coastal and alpine scenery.
Where to Stay in Christchurch in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Christchurch Garden Festival
Hagley Park turns into 150+ garden plots, food trucks and sound stages. At dusk the central rose beds pump perfume into the warm air while whitebait fritters sizzle and local pinot flows. After dark, lantern-lit paths wind through installations dreamt up by city artists.
Mid December
New Brighton Summer Carnival
The battered pier hosts retro carnival rides, craft stalls and buskers trading tunes for coins. The air is a tug-of-war between hot donuts, candy floss and salt wind. Seagulls wheel overhead and Friday fireworks sparkle on the Pacific.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Christchurch Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
C1 Espresso serves the city's best flat white at 7am, watch the pneumatic tubes fire orders while locals beat the tourist rush.
Park free at the Christchurch Gondola base and march the Bridle Path, same summit views, 45 minutes of stair torture, zero fare.
Wednesday is locals' night at Smash Palace, the quake-born container bar pours $15 jugs and live music minus the visitor surcharge.
Load the MetroInfo app, December boosts Akaroa and Waipara buses. But timetables shift weekly with tourist demand.
The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial glows after dark, swing by after 9pm when the last tour buses roll away and you can stand alone with the lights and the silence.
Avoid These Mistakes
Northern-hemisphere winter skins get scorched fast: 22°C (72°F) feels gentle. But the South Island UV doesn't care and day-one sunburn is almost guaranteed.
Kaikoura plus Akaroa in a single daylight push is a rookie error, those coastal bends turn a map's 150 km into a five-hour shuffle. Sleep in Akaroa instead.
Wait until mid-December to book and you'll watch prices rocket while every bach, motel, and farm-stay vanishes, Kiwis lock in their Christmas breaks early.
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