December is the best time to visit New York as Christmas is around the corner and all the festivities are coming to life.
From ice skating to holiday markets and stunning lights, everything is in full swing.
If you’ve booked your tickets and are wondering what to pack, you’ve come to the right place because we are about to tell you what you should wear on your trip to New York in December.
Weather In New York In December:
December is the start of the winter season in New York.
During the day, the city experiences an average temperature of 6°C (43°F). At night time, the temperature usually falls to 0°C (32°F).
There are some days when New York witnesses even lower temperatures, around -2°C to -3°C.
The chances of snowfall, however, are quite low in December.
At max, the city sees snowfall on 3 out of 30 days.
So if you wish to have a vacation without snow becoming a hurdle, December is the perfect time for you.
The sea temperature during the Christmas month is 9.6°C (48.7°F). So, forget about having beach picnics and swimming in the sea.
As far as rainfall is concerned, be prepared because it rains 13 out of 30 days in December. Most of the rain falls on the first ten days of the month.
The length of the day is 9 hours throughout the month. The humidity remains low and heavy cloud cover ensures limited UV exposure.
The speed of the wind increases from 9.4 miles per hour to 9.9 miles per hour.
What To Wear For Daytime Activities In New York In December?
When visiting New York in December, it is best to look up the day-to-day weather forecast and pack your suitcase accordingly.
New York locals are famous for their amazing fashion sense and chic outfits. So your goal, as a tourist, is to look trendy and feel comfortable.
An oversized hoodie or a full sleeve sweater looks great during the daytime. As December is the month of Christmas, opt for darker colors like red, navy blue, and black.
For see sightings and other daytime activities, women must pack a couple of fleece tights.
They have preferred bottoms for New York because unlike regular tights, they keep you warm and can be paired with almost anything.
If you wish to wear jeans, skinny jeans are the best choice as they make your butt stand out, and New Yorkers love that.
Make sure you keep dark blue, black, or olive green jeans because although New York is gorgeous, the streets are pretty dirty. If you don’t want your jeans to get mud stains, stay away from light colors.
For rainy days, it is essential to pack a trendy waterproof leather jacket. We would recommend you to get a faux fur-lined jacket as it keeps you warm and helps you blend in with the locals.
Now, let’s talk about shoes. Sneakers are not a good choice for New York in December. They get wet easily and do not protect from the cold weather.
Go for leather ankle boots and waterproof socks instead. On snowy days, wear snow boots. Avoid light-colored shoes as they get dirty easily.
If you are traveling with kids, know that they can get cold easily. So make sure you have everything from hoodies, sweaters, and fleece pants to beanies and gloves in your bag.
What To Wear For Nighttime Activities In New York In December?
It’s a known fact that every person has a different tolerance level for cold weather. So, when dressing up for nighttime activities in New York, keep your tolerance level for cold in mind.
We would recommend you wear a sweater dress at night. It not only keeps you warm but can be styled for both casual and dressy occasions.
If you are planning to wear your sweater dress for a casual trip to some park, opt for a baggy one.
For fine dining restaurants, on the other hand, get a fitted dress. Pair it with a cross-body bag and heels to finish the look.
Those who are not a big fan of dresses can wear a fuzzy warm sweater with skinny jeans or fleece leggings.
It is one classic outfits that always looks super chic and never goes out of style.
But remember that a sweater or dress alone isn’t enough to get you through the bone-chilling New York winters and layering is the key.
Layer your base clothes with an uber chic parka jacket or a warm cardigan.
You can always take them off when you step into museums and malls that have heaters on 24/7.
Lastly, for footwear, choose dark-colored, closed-toe shoes as they look good and protect you from the harsh cold.
What Else To Pack For A Trip To New York In December?
- Travel-sized umbrella: New York experiences occasional rainfall in the month of December.
- So, make sure you keep a travel-sized umbrella in your luggage to tackle rainy days.
- Chapstick and Moisturizer: Cold weather means chapped lips and dry skin.
- To prevent your lips from getting cuts from the cold, wear chapstick 24/7. Moisturize your skin to prevent dull, dry skin.
- Pashmina Scarf: A scarf not only looks super trendy but also keeps your head and neck warm in cold weather.
- So if you don’t want to catch a cold, keep a warm scarf for windy evenings.
- Toiletries: If you are planning on staying at a cheap hotel, make sure you pack all your essential toiletries as those places offer none.
- Prescription Medications: If you take prescription medications, do not forget to pack those.
Final Advice?
If it’s your first time visiting New York and you wish to make the most of your time, get a New York pass.
The New York pass is extremely valuable. It helps you save money and skip the long lines at various tourist attractions.
Hope these outfit tips help and you have a great time in the city that never sleeps.
