Orlando Weather in December: What Families Should Pack

Quick answer: Orlando weather in December is mild, sunny and mostly dry. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give an average high of 73.8°F and an average low of 52.9°F, with 2.48 inches of rain spread over about 7 days. That is short-sleeve weather in the afternoon and jacket weather in the morning and evening, so pack layers, especially for babies and toddlers. Sunset falls between 5:28 and 5:39 pm all month, which matters as much as the temperature.

We checked each fact below against the official page on October 12, 2026. Normals describe a typical December, not a forecast, so check the National Weather Service forecast a few days before you fly.

Key Takeaways

• A normal December day runs from a low near 53°F to a high near 74°F, and the whole month averages 63.3°F.
• Cold snaps are real but short: the airport averages about 2.5 nights a month at or below 40°F and 0.3 nights at or below freezing.
• Rain is light on average (2.48 inches, about 7 days with measurable rain), but the National Weather Service lists a December as wet as 12.63 inches, so keep a rain plan.
• Sunset is about 5:30 pm, so evening events happen in the coolest part of the day. Put jackets in the stroller basket before you leave.
• For babies and toddlers, dress in thin layers you can add and remove, and keep bulky coats out of the car seat harness.

Orlando weather in December at a glance

These are the NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals for the Orlando International Airport station (USW00012815), with the monthly average and records from the National Weather Service Melbourne climate summary for Orlando in December.

How December changes from the first week to New Year's Eve

The month cools a little as it goes. The daily normal high drops from 75.8°F on December 1 to 72.0°F on December 31, and the daily normal low falls from 55.5°F to 50.2°F. Days also get shorter until the winter solstice on December 21, then start to lengthen. Sunrise and sunset below are for Orlando from timeanddate.com.

On December 15 the day lasts 10 hours and 20 minutes. If you are planning a week of park days, read our winter break Orlando itinerary, which builds naps and early dinners around this early sunset.

Is December cold in Orlando? Cold snaps explained

Not by northern standards. January is the coolest month at the airport (average high 71.8°F, average low 49.5°F), and December sits just behind it. But December weather varies a lot from year to year. The National Weather Service lists the warmest December on record as a monthly average of 71.6°F (2015) and the coolest as 51.7°F (1935), a swing of about 20 degrees in the monthly average.

What that means for your trip:

• Most days will feel like the normals above: comfortable in the sun, cool in the shade and at night.
• On average the airport sees about 2.5 nights a month at or below 40°F, so one chilly morning is likely and a few are possible. Freezing nights are rare (about 0.3 per month on average).
• A cold front can bring a breezy, cool day or two before the warmth returns. Check the forecast the week you leave and again the night before a park day.

Wondering about snow? See our guide to snow in Orlando.

How rainy is Orlando in December?

December is one of the drier months. The normal is 2.48 inches, January matches it, and only November (1.79 inches) and February (2.04 inches) have lower normals at the airport. You can expect about 7 days with at least a hundredth of an inch, but only about 4 days with a tenth of an inch or more, so most rainy days are showers, not washouts.

Averages hide the bad years, though. The National Weather Service lists a wettest December of 12.63 inches (1997). If the forecast turns wet, a stroller rain cover and a spare set of dry clothes for the toddler make a big difference, and an indoor backup for the morning keeps everyone in a good mood.

Daylight and the toddler schedule

With sunrise around 7:10 am and sunset around 5:30 pm in mid-December, you get roughly ten hours of daylight. For families that has three practical effects:

• Do the outdoor things first. Beaches, pools, zoos and outdoor walks are best between about 10 am and 3:30 pm, when the air is at its warmest.
• Expect dark at dinner. Holiday lights, parades and fireworks happen after sunset, in the cool part of the day. Bring a jacket and a blanket for the stroller.
• Do not skip sun protection. The FDA says newborns and babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and that parents should check with a pediatrician before putting sunscreen on them. For older children, we suggest shade, hats and sunscreen at midday even in December. See the FDA guidance on sunscreen and infants.

What to wear in Orlando in December by time of day

The answer is layers, because you will change clothes about three times a day without leaving the park. Use the normal high and low as your guide: roughly the low 50s early and the mid 70s mid-afternoon.

A cold-snap plan for babies and toddlers

If the forecast shows a front, you do not need a winter wardrobe. You need a few extra layers that work in a car seat and a stroller.

• Thin layers, not puffy coats, in the car seat. NHTSA warns that bulky coats can leave slack in the harness. It recommends lightweight fleece layers, then a blanket over the buckled harness or a coat worn backwards over it. See NHTSA's guidance on keeping children warm in car seats.
• Keep kids dry. Damp clothes feel colder than the thermometer says. Pack a spare outfit and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
• Do not skip the car seat. If you need one for the trip, Honest Sherpa's car seat category lists a convertible car seat and a booster seat for rent.

For medical questions about how to dress or sleep a baby, ask your pediatrician. This guide only covers weather and gear.

Rain plan: stroller rain covers and what to bring

A stroller is a toddler's nap bed and a parent's trunk, so keep it dry. Honest Sherpa's stroller category lists a Single Stroller Rain Cover and Double Stroller Rain Covers. The product pages describe a durable all-season cover with a tight fit, ventilation, and plastic front and side panels so a baby can see out. They are listed as rain covers for stroller rentals, and you specify the size that matches your stroller when you order, with a note at checkout if you rent more than one stroller. See the category page for current weekly prices.

Beyond the cover, a short rain kit helps:

• One adult poncho per adult and a lightweight rain jacket for older kids
• A dry bag or zip bag for phones and snacks
• A towel or burp cloth to wipe the stroller seat
• A backup plan indoors, such as a museum, a movie or a game day at the house

Warming up on the patio: heater and fire pit

Many vacation homes have a lanai or patio, and December evenings can be cool enough that families want some warmth out there. Honest Sherpa's propane heaters and fire pits category lists a Propane Patio Heater and a Fire Pit. The heater's product page describes propane-fueled heaters for patios when the weather turns nippy at night. The Fire Pit page describes a dual heat 50,000 BTU gas model with a tabletop, lava rocks and a cover, for outdoor use only, with propane included. Check the category page for current weekly prices.

Apart from "outdoor use only" on the fire pit page, Honest Sherpa's pages do not give heating safety instructions, so follow the manufacturer's instructions and your rental's rules, and check with your property manager before using any open flame. For general fire-safety guidance, the U.S. Fire Administration says to use fire pits outdoors at least 10 feet from your home or anything that can burn, and to watch children closely when a fire pit is in use. Read the U.S. Fire Administration's outdoor fire safety tips before you light anything near toddlers.

Pools, beaches and swimming in December

Afternoon air can feel warm enough for a splash, but the water is cool. For the Atlantic coast, we averaged the hourly readings from NOAA's Trident Pier water temperature gauge at Port Canaveral for each December. The monthly averages ran from 67.9°F (2018) to 74.1°F (2022) over the nine Decembers from 2015 to 2025 with near-complete data, and 70.5°F in December 2025. We found no official data on vacation-home pool temperatures, so ask your property manager whether the pool is heated. For beach planning, including parking and lifeguard information, see our guide to winter beaches near Orlando.

What to pack for Orlando in December

• Layers: tees, light long sleeves, a fleece or hoodie and a packable jacket for each person
• Long pants for kids and adults, plus shorts for the warm afternoons
• Closed-toe walking shoes, socks and a pair of sandals
• Sun hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
• A swimsuit and a towel, in case the pool or the beach is warm enough
• Rain jackets or ponchos
• A light blanket for evening stroller rides

Our Orlando holiday packing list breaks this out by family member, with a pack-or-rent table. If you want a deeper look at what baby gear fits each season, see our Orlando weather and baby gear rental guide.

FAQ

What is the weather like in Orlando in December 2026? No one can forecast it this far out. A normal December day at the airport has a high near 74°F and a low near 53°F, with light rain on about 7 days. Check the National Weather Service forecast a week before you travel.

What is the coldest month in Orlando? January. At the airport the January normal high is 71.8°F and the normal low is 49.5°F, compared with 73.8°F and 52.9°F in December.

Is it warm enough to swim in December in Orlando? The air often is, but the water is cool. Our average of NOAA's Port Canaveral gauge readings gives December ocean temperatures from 67.9°F to 74.1°F in recent years. Ask whether your rental's pool is heated, since we found no official pool data.

Does it get cold at night in Orlando in December? Yes, cooler than the daytime. The normal low is about 53°F, and the airport averages about 2.5 nights a month at or below 40°F.

Does it rain a lot in Orlando in December? No. The normal is 2.48 inches, with measurable rain on about 7 days. Some years are much wetter, so pack a poncho.

Is December hurricane season in Florida? No. The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. A December trip still needs a look at the forecast for rain and cold fronts.

What time is sunset in Orlando in December? Between 5:28 pm (December 1) and 5:39 pm (December 31). On December 15 sunrise is 7:10 am and sunset is 5:30 pm.

What should kids wear in Orlando in December? Layers: a long-sleeve base, a fleece for the morning and evening, and a short-sleeve option for the afternoon. For the car seat, use thin layers and put blankets over the harness, as NHTSA advises.

Should I bring a rain cover for the stroller? It is worth having on any trip, because December shows can be brief but wet. Honest Sherpa lists stroller rain covers in its stroller category.

Pack for the weather, not the whole closet. Honest Sherpa delivers strollers and stroller rain covers and other baby gear to your vacation rental, free of charge, seven days a week. Delivery is for your arrival day and pickup is for your departure day, with dates chosen at checkout. The site says it is closed on December 25. Enter your zip code or city on the site to see if your address is covered.