Portsmouth in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Portsmouth

10°C (50°F) High Temp

4°C (39°F) Low Temp

70mm (2.8 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas markets in Commercial Road and Guildhall Square create genuine festive atmosphere with local crafts, mulled wine, and seasonal treats from late November through December 23rd
Historic Dockyard offers cozy indoor exploration of HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum, and Banjul of the Royal Navy - perfect weather-proof activities with reduced crowds
Hotel rates drop 40-50% compared to summer months, with excellent deals at Gunwharf Quays hotels and boutique properties in Old Portsmouth
Dramatic winter seascapes from Portsmouth Point and Round Tower provide spectacular photography opportunities, especially during December's frequent atmospheric weather changes

Considerations

Daylight hours extremely limited - sunrise around 8am, sunset by 3:50pm means only 7 hours 50 minutes of natural light for sightseeing
Spinnaker Tower observation deck often closed due to high winds (happens 8-10 days per month in December), and views frequently obscured by low clouds
Ferry services to Isle of Wight run reduced winter schedules with frequent cancellations during rough weather - Wightlink Fastcat services particularly affected

Best Activities in December

Historic Dockyard Maritime Heritage Tours

December's cold, wet weather makes the Historic Dockyard's covered attractions ideal. HMS Victory and Mary Rose Museum offer 4-6 hours of indoor exploration with minimal crowds. The Banjul displays are particularly atmospheric in winter light. Avoid queues that plague summer visits - you'll have ships practically to yourself on weekday mornings.

Booking Tip: Annual passes cost £32 (adults) and pay for themselves in 2 visits. Book online 2-3 days ahead for 10% discount. Visit Tuesday-Thursday for smallest crowds. Allow full day - buildings are heated and provide perfect weather refuge. See current ticket options and combination deals in the booking widget below.

Christmas Market Food and Shopping Tours

Portsmouth's Christmas markets run November 25th through December 23rd in Guildhall Square and Commercial Road. December weather creates authentic European Christmas market atmosphere with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and local Hampshire produce. Evening visits (4-7pm) offer best atmosphere as lights illuminate the misty air.

Booking Tip: Self-guided food walking tours typically cost £15-25 per person. Book accommodation near city center to walk between markets easily. Guildhall Square market has 25 stalls, Commercial Road has 15. Most vendors accept cards but bring cash for smaller stalls. Check current guided tour options in the booking section below.

Cozy Pub and Naval History Walking Tours

December's short days and wet weather create perfect pub-hopping conditions. Old Portsmouth's historic pubs like The George, Duke of Buckingham, and Sally Port Hotel offer 600+ years of naval history with warm interiors. Walking tours typically cover 1.5km (0.9 miles) between venues with historical storytelling.

Booking Tip: Private group tours typically cost £180-250 for up to 8 people. Self-guided routes take 3-4 hours including pub stops. Start by 2pm to finish before dark. Many tours include traditional pub lunch. Book tables in advance for Sunday roasts. See current guided options in the booking widget below.

Indoor Shopping at Gunwharf Quays

Designer outlet shopping becomes particularly appealing in December's harsh weather. Over 90 stores offer covered shopping with December sales starting mid-month. The complex's restaurants and cinema provide all-day indoor entertainment. Spinnaker Tower visits can be combined if weather permits (check wind warnings).

Booking Tip: Parking costs £2-4 per hour but many stores offer validation. VIP shopping experiences cost £45-65 and include personal shopper service plus reserved parking. December sales offer 30-70% off designer brands. Cinema tickets from £8-12. Book restaurant tables for weekend evenings well ahead during Christmas shopping season.

Charles Dickens House and Literary Portsmouth Tours

December perfectly suits Dickensian atmosphere at the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum. Special Christmas exhibitions run through December featuring Victorian Christmas traditions. Literary walking tours cover locations from Dickens' novels with costumed guides. Indoor venues provide shelter from December weather.

Booking Tip: Museum entry costs £4-6 adults. Christmas special exhibitions may require separate booking. Literary tours typically £12-18 per person, running weekends only in December. Tours last 90 minutes covering 2km (1.2 miles). Book 5-7 days ahead as group sizes limited to 15. Current tour schedules available in booking section below.

Royal Navy Submarine Museum Indoor Experiences

HMS Alliance submarine tours in nearby Gosport offer fascinating 90-minute indoor experiences perfect for December weather. Reached by short ferry ride from Portsmouth Harbour. Museum's underground exhibits and submarine interior provide complete weather protection while exploring Cold War naval history.

Booking Tip: Combined ferry and museum tickets typically cost £18-22 adults. Gosport Ferry runs every 15 minutes during winter (reduced evening service). Submarine tours have limited capacity - book 3-5 days ahead, especially weekends. Allow 4 hours total including ferry travel. Check current availability in booking widget below.

December Events & Festivals

Late November through December 23rd

Portsmouth Christmas Market

Traditional German-style Christmas market in Guildhall Square featuring local Hampshire producers, handcrafted gifts, and seasonal food. Evening visits offer best atmosphere with twinkling lights reflecting off wet cobblestones. Live music performances most evenings 5-7pm.

Mid December weekends

Victorian Festival of Christmas

Historic Dockyard hosts Victorian-themed Christmas celebrations with period costumes, traditional carol singing, and demonstrations of 19th-century Christmas traditions aboard HMS Victory. Special family activities and authentic Victorian Christmas fare available.

December 31st at midnight

New Year's Eve Gunwharf Quays Fireworks

Waterfront fireworks display over Portsmouth Harbour launched from Gunwharf Quays. Best viewing from the waterfront promenade or Spinnaker Tower area. Indoor restaurants and bars offer heated viewing parties with advance booking required.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof jacket with hood - essential for 70mm (2.8 inches) monthly rainfall spread across 15 days, often as persistent drizzle rather than heavy downpours

Comfortable waterproof walking boots - cobblestone streets in Old Portsmouth become slippery when wet, and you'll walk 3-5km (1.9-3.1 miles) daily sightseeing

Warm layers including fleece or wool sweater - 4°C (39°F) nighttime temperatures feel colder due to 85% humidity and coastal winds up to 25mph

Compact umbrella - handheld models work better than large umbrellas in frequent 15-20mph coastal winds

Waterproof phone case or bag - essential for photography at seafront locations and during outdoor market visits

Warm hat and gloves - exposed harbor areas feel 3-4 degrees colder due to wind chill factor

Indoor/outdoor clothing system - you'll frequently move between heated museums (20°C/68°F) and cold outdoor areas

Cash in small denominations - some Christmas market vendors and historic pub tours still prefer cash payments

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries faster and limited daylight means more reliance on phone flashlights

Insider Knowledge

Visit HMS Victory and Mary Rose Museum on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings (9-11am) when school groups haven't arrived yet - you'll often have entire ship decks to yourself

Portsmouth Harbour Station is more convenient than Portsmouth & Southsea Station for Historic Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays - saves 15-minute walk in December weather

December hotel rates at Gunwharf Quays drop significantly after December 23rd through New Year - book post-Christmas dates for 60% savings on Christmas week prices

Spinnaker Tower's weather closure policy updates on their Twitter feed by 9am daily - check before traveling as website information often lags behind actual conditions

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming Spinnaker Tower will be open - high winds close the observation deck 8-10 days per month in December, often with same-day notice only

Underestimating how early darkness falls - sunset by 3:50pm means outdoor photography and harbor walks must be planned for midday hours

Not booking restaurant tables for Christmas market evenings - popular venues near Guildhall Square fill up by 5pm on December weekends