Things to Do in Burlington in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Burlington
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
34°F (1°C)
High Temp
22°F (-5°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Lake-effect snow squalls can drop visibility to 100 m (328 ft) on the QEW highway. White walls appear fast. Slow immediately. Flashers on. Exit if possible. Wait it out. Better late than never.
⚠ Black ice forms overnight on escarpment roads. The Highway 6 Guelph Line section is treacherous before 9 AM. Shade keeps pavement cold. Drive slow. Brake early. Sun hits late. Respect the ridge. It bites.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December gives you Burlington's quietest trails along the Waterfront Trail - locals have the 8.5 km (5.3 miles) lakeside path mostly to themselves, with crisp morning air that smells like cedar from nearby RBG gardens
- + The Burlington Performing Arts Centre runs its winter series this month, meaning you can catch touring Broadway shows without Toronto pricing - December performances typically happen 7:30 PM Thursday through Saturday
- + Maple syrup operations around Mount Nemo start their winter prep, and several sugar shacks offer behind-the-scenes tours showing how they tap 500+ trees when temperatures hover around freezing
- + Hotel availability jumps 40% compared to autumn leaf-peeping season - you'll find rooms with lake views at properties along Lakeshore Road without booking three months ahead
Considerations
- − The lake-effect snow machine starts up mid-month - expect 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) dumps that shut down parts of the QEW and make the 45-minute drive to Pearson airport take closer to 90 minutes
- − Most of the Royal Botanical Gardens' outdoor areas close by 4:30 PM, cutting your daylight exploration to basically lunch hours - the indoor Mediterranean Garden stays open but gets packed with stroller traffic
- − Waterfront restaurants start their winter hibernation - places like Spencer's at the Waterfront reduce hours dramatically, and that patio brunch scene you're imagining doesn't exist until April
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Burlington in December is quiet and cold. The low sun casts long shadows. Locals move quickly, their breath visible in the air, anticipating the evening lights against the early dusk. The month transforms the waterfront. You can see the steamy breath of Lake Ontario behind the illuminated white pine at Spencer Smith Park, a central feature of the Burlington Festival of Lights. The rhythm is one of cozy anticipation. Heated indoor gardens offer a fragrant, tropical respite from the outdoor cold. Community gatherings center on warm cider and choral music. Visiting now means embracing a Canadian winter. Activities move indoors to warm taprooms or outside for walks under holiday lanterns.
Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour
foodSteps from frosty streets into the warm, malt-scented air of local brewpubs. Guides explain hop varieties and fermentation processes. You sample a flight of seasonal ales, with flavors from toasty to citrusy.
It has a direct, narrated taste of Burlington's brewing community. You cannot get this by just visiting a pub.
Insider tip: Book the late afternoon tour. You will experience the convivial shift as the local after-work crowd arrives.
This month: The warm tasting rooms provide a welcome refuge from the December chill.
Small Group 5-Day Tour Vacation Package in Vermont
guided_experienceStarts in Burlington. It winds through snow-dusted villages and along icy mountain passes. This guided experience combines scenic drives with stops at historic inns and artisan workshops. The smell of wood smoke and baked goods fills the cold air.
It crafts a complete winter narrative of New England, far beyond a single city.
Insider tip: Pack layers. You will transition frequently from heated vehicles to cold outdoor vistas.
Awesome Scavenger Hunt: Burlington Beauty
otherTurns the city into an interactive game. It leads participants past frosted lakefront parks and through downtown alleys decorated with holiday wreaths. You solve puzzles and follow clues on your phone, noticing architectural details and public art. Your cheeks will feel the nip of the winter air.
It frames a self-guided walk as a playful, discovery-filled adventure for all ages.
Insider tip: Start just after sunrise. You will have the quieter paths mostly to yourself. The light is best on frost-covered surfaces.
Burlington's Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided Walking Tour
walking_tourWeaves through the historic downtown as early night falls. Narrated tales of local lore echo in your headphones. The backdrop is creaking tree branches and distant city sounds. The route passes aged brick buildings. Their windows reflect colored holiday lights, adding an eerie contrast to the festive season.
It layers the city's historical character with haunting stories. This is good for a chilling evening stroll.
Insider tip: Dress warmly in waterproof boots. Bring a handheld light to navigate any icy patches on the older sidewalks.
Where to Stay in Burlington in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Burlington Festival of Lights
Spencer Smith Park's 60-foot white pine gets wrapped in 30,000 LED lights during the first weekend of December - the ceremony includes local school choirs and hot apple cider from downtown churches. The lights stay up through New Year's, turning the waterfront into a winter photo spot when Lake Ontario steams up behind the illuminated trees.
Mid December through early January
Winter Wonderland at the Royal Botanical Gardens
RBG transforms into a holiday light show with 1,000+ lanterns along a 1.5 km (0.9 mile) walking route - indoor tropical gardens stay heated while outdoor paths feature ice sculptures carved by artists from Hamilton's winter festival circuit. The rose garden's bare pergolas get wrapped in lights that reflect off any accumulated snow.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Burlington Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Here is the best December parking secret. After 5 PM, the Joseph Brant Hospital garage is free and heated. You land three blocks from downtown restaurants. Locals hate circling for street spots. You walk past them smiling. Warm car waits later.
Toronto day-trippers mob Kelly's Bake Shoppe on weekends. Locals slide in Tuesday-Thursday at 2 PM. That is when fresh butter tarts emerge. Maple walnut sells out in 45 minutes. Set a phone alarm. Worth the sugar rush.
When lake-effect snow hits, abandon the QEW. Run Upper Middle Road to Guelph Line, then north to Highway 401 for airport runs. The detour adds 15 minutes on clear days. In storms it saves an hour. Trust the back route. Keep moving.
The RBG's indoor Mediterranean Garden is Burlington's warmest public space in December. Locals bring laptops and work remotely when heating bills jump. Security rarely checks if you nurse one coffee all day. Free Wi-Fi. Free heat. Smart move.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never assume December equals zero bugs. The lake's moderating effect can hatch midges and deer flies during warm spells. Mount Nemo's south-facing slopes are prime spots. Pack a small repellent. One warm afternoon and they swarm.
Booking a lake-view room? Check sunset angles first. December sun drops behind the escarpment by 4:30 PM. North-facing rooms go dark early. South-facing rooms catch afternoon glow. Ask at reception. Angle matters more than floor.
Forget walking downtown to the waterfront in regular sneakers. Melting snow turns the path into ankle-deep slush puddles. Salt helps. But canvas shoes soak in seconds. Bring waterproof boots. Cold wet socks ruin dinner plans.
Explore More Activities in Burlington
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Burlington.
See All Burlington Tours on Viator