Updated 16 Sep 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is December 2026 a good month to visit Los Angeles?
Lively — the typical December day in Los Angeles is busier than 51% of its year.
The weather is the trade-off here, not the crowds.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Los Angeles's own year — not a headcount.
December sits between the seasons in Los Angeles: mild and showery, around 19°C / 66°F with rain on about 7 days, Lively on 27 of 31 days — 4 days run Busy or Packed.
Mostly yes. The typical December day in Los Angeles is Lively, and only 4 of the 31 days in our window run Busy or Packed. Expect around 19 °C by day, with rain on about 7 days. Public holidays in Canada and United States add to it. Cruise ships call on 3 of the 31 days. No week of December is meaningfully quieter — the typical day is Lively throughout; pick by day instead. The crush is at Griffith's road and terraces at sunset; the quiet is at the Getty's gardens. The calmest day is Tuesday 1 December, the busiest Thursday 3 December.
In short, a solid middle-ground pick.
Among the 12 months we forecast for Los Angeles, December ranks 8th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Thu 3 Dec, busier than 97% of the year; its lightest is Tue 1 Dec at 51%.
Preparing pays off in a month like this: timed-entry tickets and pre-booked tours turn the queue time into sightseeing time. see the options →
Nothing extreme to plan around — rain on 7 of 31 days.
The one thing you wear all day, every day of the trip.
See walking shoes →
A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.
See umbrellas →
How busy is Los Angeles in December?
The busiest days are the 3rd, 25th, 28th and 31st. Away from those, most days sit Lively. The calmest stretch is the 4th–24th.
Ships call on 3 of 31 days, a typical call day carrying at least 2,260 guests — real, but a secondary part of the crowd here; the season moves the needle more.
The month is not one thing: its lightest day sits at 51% of the year and its heaviest at 97%, so where you land inside it matters. Daylight runs about 10 hours.
Either side of it, November is much calmer.
The calmest days include the 1st, 2nd and 4th — 26 days share that level, so there is room to choose.
Tue 01 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Tue 1 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 02 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Wed 2 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 03 Dec Packed busier than 97% of days here · ⚓1
- Crown Princess — guest capacity 3,062 06:00–15:00
Record Los Angeles on Thu 3 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,062 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 06:00–15:00. Nearest calmer day: Wed 2 Dec (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 04 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Fri 4 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 05 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Sat 5 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 06 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Sun 6 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 07 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Mon 7 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 08 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Tue 8 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 09 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Wed 9 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 10 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Thu 10 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 11 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Fri 11 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 12 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Sat 12 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 13 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Sun 13 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 14 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Mon 14 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 15 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Tue 15 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 16 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Wed 16 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Thu 17 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 18 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Fri 18 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 19 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Sat 19 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Sun 20 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Mon 21 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Tue 22 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Wed 23 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Thu 24 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Dec Busy busier than 65% of days here · United States public holiday
Record Los Angeles on Fri 25 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. Why: United States public holiday; Canada public holiday. Nearest calmer day: Thu 24 Dec (Lively). The day in full, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Dec Lively busier than 59% of days here · Canada public holiday
Record Los Angeles on Sat 26 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: Canada public holiday. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Sun 27 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · ⚓1
- Island Princess — guest capacity 2,214 07:00–15:00
Record Los Angeles on Mon 28 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,214 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–15:00. Nearest calmer day: Sun 27 Dec (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Tue 29 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Dec Lively busier than 51% of days here
Record Los Angeles on Wed 30 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 31 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · ⚓1
- Costa Deliziosa — guest capacity 2,260 08:00–20:00
Record Los Angeles on Thu 31 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,260 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–20:00. Nearest calmer day: Wed 30 Dec (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/los-angeles/#d-2026-12-31 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Which week of December is quietest in Los Angeles?
No week of December is meaningfully quieter — the typical day is Lively throughout; pick by day instead.
Can't move the dates? How to avoid the worst crowds
- Need flexibility? The 4th–24th is the month's calmest stretch — the easiest window to move around in.
- On the busy days, the walk-up queues for the big sights are the biggest time-sink — a timed-entry ticket skips them, which is where a busy month is won or lost.
Travelling on a busy day?
Timed-entry and skip-the-line tickets turn queue time into sightseeing time — sort them before you fly.
December weather in Los Angeles
Mild — around 19°C / 66°F, with a light jacket for the evenings, with rain on about 7 days, so keep a layer handy. Daylight is short, about 10 hours, so plan the big sights for the middle of the day.
Worth booking the marquee sights ahead for the busy days, but you can keep the rest of the trip flexible.
More about Los Angeles in December
Based on: United States' public holidays · the official airport-arrivals pattern (BTS T-100, measured 2023–2025; airport-arrivals proxy for visitor volume) · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates · the published cruise schedule
Every figure is recomputed nightly from real cruise schedules, public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.
