Cape Town in December: Weather, Events and Planning Tips

What is the weather like in Cape Town in December?

December is high summer in Cape Town. Long-term averages for the month are:

Measure	December average
Average high	About 25.8 °C
Average low	About 15.6 °C
Rainfall	About 12.8 mm
Rainy days	About 2.6
UV index	Around 12 (extreme)

Days are long, with sunset after 19:30 for much of the month. Rain is rare, and most December days are sunny.

UV is the real hazard. An index of 12 means unprotected skin can burn quickly. Use high-factor sunscreen, wear a hat and plan beach time for the morning or late afternoon.

How windy is Cape Town in December?

The south-easterly wind, known locally as the Cape Doctor, blows most strongly from November to February. It clears the air and keeps the heat down, but it can:

• close the Table Mountain Cableway at short notice;
• make Atlantic beaches uncomfortable, with blowing sand;
• disrupt boat trips, including some Robben Island sailings.

Keep a flexible day in your plan. Cableway tickets bought online are valid for seven days, so you can try again if wind closes it. Clifton’s beaches and Llandudno are often more sheltered than Camps Bay on windy days.

Is the sea warm enough to swim?

Not on the Atlantic side. Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno sit on the cold Benguela-influenced Atlantic, and the water stays cold even in December. Most people take a quick dip rather than a long swim.

False Bay beaches such as Muizenberg, St James and Boulders are usually milder and better for children. Swim where lifeguards are on duty and follow the flags.

How busy is Cape Town in December?

December is Cape Town’s peak month. Three things overlap:

1. South African school holidays. Public schools close after 9 December 2026 and reopen on 13 January 2027.
2. International arrivals. UK and European visitors arrive for Christmas and New Year. British Airways increases Heathrow–Cape Town to 21 flights a week from 13 December 2026.
3. Public holidays. 16 December (Day of Reconciliation), 25 December (Christmas Day), 26 December (Day of Goodwill) and 1 January (New Year’s Day).

Expect queues at Table Mountain, Boulders Beach and Cape Point, busy roads around the Atlantic Seaboard and full restaurants. The first week of December is noticeably quieter than the two weeks after the 15th.

What to book first

Book	When
International flights	As early as possible for 15 December to 5 January
Hotels	Early; many set minimum stays over Christmas and New Year
Christmas lunch and New Year’s Eve dinner	As soon as menus are published
Private drivers and guides	Several weeks ahead
Table Mountain Cableway	Online, for an early slot
Robben Island	Online, ahead of time

For a full festive plan, read the Cape Town Christmas and New Year 2026–2027 guide.

Events in Cape Town in December 2026

The following events are listed in Cape Town Tourism’s official summer calendar, published on 29 September 2026:

Event	Dates	Where
Galileo Open Air Cinema	15 October 2026 – 15 May 2027	Various venues
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts	25 November 2026 – 29 March 2027	Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Red Bull King of the Air	21 November – 6 December (weather window)	Kite Beach, Bloubergstrand; free
HSBC SVNS Cape Town (rugby sevens)	5–6 December	DHL Stadium
Young at Heart Festival	11–13 December	Youngsfield
Unity on the Square	19 December, gates 14:00, music 16:00–23:00	Greenmarket Square

Local press also lists these events. Confirm the details with the organiser before booking:

• CATS at Artscape, 10 December – 11 January
• Carols at Kirstenbosch, 17–21 December
• Stormers vs Lions rugby, 20 December
• Cape2Rio yacht race start, 27 December, Table Bay
• Tweede Nuwe Jaar minstrel celebrations, 2 January 2027

New Year’s Eve in Cape Town

The V&A Waterfront hosts New Year’s Eve celebrations from 18:00 to 01:00. Check the V&A’s own announcements for the 2026 programme before planning around it.

Restaurants with views over the harbour or the Atlantic book out early for New Year’s Eve. Arrange your return transport in advance, as taxis and ride-hailing are in high demand after midnight.

A sample December week

Day	Plan
1	Arrive, settle in, sunset walk on the Sea Point promenade
2	Table Mountain early, Kirstenbosch in the afternoon
3	Cape Peninsula: Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach
4	Flexible day for wind, beach or Robben Island
5	Cape Winelands day with a driver
6	Bo-Kaap and the city, a Summer Sunset Concert in the evening
7	Leave, or continue to the Garden Route or Kruger

To add a safari, read the Kruger safari over December and Christmas guide. To continue along the coast, read the Garden Route December holidays guide.

What to pack

• High-factor sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
• A light jacket or fleece for windy evenings
• Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
• Comfortable shoes for Table Mountain and the Peninsula
• A refillable water bottle

Is December right for you?

December suits travellers who want warm weather, long evenings and a festive atmosphere, and who are happy to book early. If you prefer quieter beaches and lower prices, consider late January to March. Read the best time to visit Cape Town and Kruger for a month-by-month comparison, or the South Africa December holidays 2026 guide for the wider country.

How Herons House can help

Herons House arranges December stays in Cape Town, including hotels, transfers, Winelands days, festive dining and onward travel to the Garden Route or Kruger. Tailor-made journeys start from USD 1,998 per person for six nights in Cape Town. International flights are quoted separately.

Last checked

Climate averages, the South African school calendar, public holidays, Cape Town Tourism’s summer events calendar of 29 September 2026 and local press listings were reviewed on 30 October 2026. Event dates can change, so confirm them with the organiser before you book.