Stellenbosch in December

In December, Stellenbosch averages 28°C (82°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (34 mm total).

Peak season

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

December is a great month to visit Stellenbosch: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

28°C
Avg high
15°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
34 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Stellenbosch

3rd
warmest month of the 12
10th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
14 h 24 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the warmest months in Stellenbosch (3rd of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C above the annual average (23°C). December runs 2°C warmer than November (25°C) and warms a further 2°C into January (30°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Stellenbosch

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:27 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:51 PM
Day length
14 h 24 min

Times shown for Stellenbosch local time (Africa/Johannesburg), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Stellenbosch — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Stellenbosch's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:27 AM – 5:07 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:07 AM – 6:07 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:11 PM – 8:11 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:11 PM – 8:51 PM

📅 When to book — Stellenbosch in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Peak season) and Stellenbosch's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-5 months
Flight prices are near their annual peak. Watch fare-alert tools, book directly when you see a fare under the typical range for this city.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
3-5 months
Reasonable selection still available at 3-4 months out, but central locations vanish first.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Stellenbosch

Peak season

Stellenbosch is in peak season during this month — expect bigger crowds at famous sights, higher hotel and flight prices, and longer queues. Restaurant reservations a few days out are advisable, and any boutique hotels you have your eye on should be booked weeks ahead. The trade-off: most attractions, restaurants, and seasonal services are fully open, the weather is at its most reliable, and the city feels at its most alive.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Stellenbosch

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.7
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Stellenbosch in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 30°C / 86°F 17°C / 63°F 26 mm 4
February 30°C / 86°F 17°C / 63°F 15 mm 3
March 27°C / 81°F 16°C / 60°F 43 mm 6
April 25°C / 77°F 13°C / 56°F 52 mm 5
May 21°C / 70°F 11°C / 52°F 97 mm 9
June 18°C / 64°F 9°C / 48°F 195 mm 12
July 17°C / 63°F 8°C / 46°F 129 mm 10
August 18°C / 64°F 8°C / 46°F 106 mm 11
September 19°C / 67°F 9°C / 49°F 77 mm 9
October 23°C / 74°F 12°C / 53°F 44 mm 7
November 25°C / 77°F 13°C / 56°F 42 mm 6
December 28°C / 82°F 15°C / 59°F 34 mm 5

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Stellenbosch in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Stellenbosch in December?

In December, Stellenbosch averages a high of 28°C (82°F) and a low of 15°C (59°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Stellenbosch in December?

December sees occasional rain in Stellenbosch, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Stellenbosch?

December is warm and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Stellenbosch in December?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full December packing list for Stellenbosch for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Stellenbosch on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.