Things to Do in Windsor in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Windsor
Long-run averages for December
38°F (3°C)
High Temp
27°F (-3°C)
Low Temp
2.5 inches (64 mm)
Rainfall
77%
Humidity
9
Rainy Days
1
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Freezing rain and ice storms are a possibility in December, which can make driving and walking hazardous. Monitor local forecasts closely if you plan to drive.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December in Windsor delivers a proper, storybook winter. The Detroit River skyline glitters with ice crystals in the sharp, cold air. A walk along the riverfront feels like wandering through a living snow globe before the freeze sets in for good.
- + The holiday spirit here is surprisingly potent. It is anchored by the historic downtown's Christmas lights and the scent of roasting chestnuts mixed with the faint, ever-present tang of the river. This is local, not imported from the big city across the water.
- + This is the quiet season for the classic Windsor agenda. You will have the galleries at the Art Gallery of Windsor and the rooms at the Chimczuk Museum to yourself. The usual school tour rush is absent.
- + Hotel rates tend to dip noticeably outside of the holiday weeks. You can often book a room with a river view for what you'd pay for a standard box in busier months. This is a genuine winter bargain.
Considerations
- − The cold, frankly, can be brutal and damp. It seeps through your coat and makes your face ache after ten minutes outside. Average lows of -3°C (27°F) feel much colder with the wind whipping off the river.
- − A lot of Windsor's charm is its outdoor, riverfront life. This includes the patios and the walking paths. In December, that world largely shuts down or becomes an endurance test, forcing you indoors.
- − While there are holiday events, the city doesn't have the massive, month-long Christmas market scene of some European counterparts. If you're dreaming of endless mulled wine stalls, temper those expectations.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Riverfront Holiday Lights Walks
Windsor's riverfront parks get dressed up for the season. Walking the illuminated paths from Dieppe Gardens to the Ambassador Bridge is a classic December experience. The cold, clean air carries the faint smell of pine boughs. The view of Detroit's skyscrapers twinkling across the black water is memorable on a clear night. December is perfect because the sun sets early, around 5 PM, so you get the full light show without a late outing.
Booking Tip: No booking needed. It is a public park walk. Just check the City of Windsor's events page to confirm the lights are on. They usually run from late November through early January. Dress in serious layers.
Indoor Cultural & Museum Visits
December is the ideal time to dive into Windsor's indoor cultural spots. You will have the Art Gallery of Windsor's collections of Canadian and Indigenous art nearly to yourself. The Chimczuk Museum's exhibits on local history feel more immersive without the crowds. The dry, heated air inside is a welcome respite. You can spend hours without feeling rushed by a queue behind you.
Booking Tip: General admission tickets are usually available at the door. Checking online for any special holiday hours or exhibits is wise. See the booking widget below for potential guided tour options or bundled passes.
Historic Pub & Tavern Crawls in Walkerville
Windsor's historic Walkerville neighbourhood feels cozy in winter. Its brick distillery buildings and old manor homes set the scene. Its pubs and taverns, some in buildings over a century old, become warm havens with the glow of vintage lamps on dark wood and the low hum of conversation. December visits mean you might catch a special holiday cask ale or a warm cocktail. The short walks between venues are brisk but manageable.
Booking Tip: Most pubs don't require reservations except for large groups. Calling ahead for a table on a weekend evening is a good move. Look for pubs emphasizing local craft beers or historic atmospheres.
Seasonal Food & Comfort Food Tours
Windsor's culinary identity shifts in the cold. This is the time for rich, steaming bowls of Italian wedding soup from a decades-old sandwich shop. Try a properly made hot chicken sandwich that's a local point of pride. The focus moves from patio snacks to hearty, warming dishes. A self-guided tour of these comfort food institutions lets you taste the city like a local weathering the winter.
Booking Tip: Research a few legendary, long-standing sandwich shops and diners. Think places open 30+ years. Create your own itinerary. For a structured experience, see the booking section for current food tour options that run in winter.
Where to Stay in Windsor in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-NB, CA-NS, CA-ON, CA-PE.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-NB, CA-NS, CA-ON, CA-PE.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-NB, CA-NS, CA-ON, CA-PE.
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 Windsor Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the packed restaurants. The best view of Detroit's holiday lights comes from the nearly empty upper floors of the parking garage near the riverfront casino late on a weeknight. You get the whole panoramic, glittering skyline to yourself.
Locals know this trick. On the coldest days, the greenhouses at the University of Windsor's Biology building or the tropical house at the Ojibway Park Conservatory are free, public, and blissfully warm escapes full of humid, earthy smells and greenery.
For a proper Windsor holiday drink, skip the generic glühwein. Hunt down a 'London Fog' made correctly with Earl Grey tea, vanilla, and steamed milk at one of the city's independent cafes. It's local hygge in a cup.
Parking downtown is easier and often free on weekends and evenings in December outside of the main event nights. Read the signs carefully. Don't assume you need to pay at a lot.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never underestimate the wind chill off the Detroit River. The temperature on your phone can be deceiving. That 3°C (38°F) high can feel like -10°C (14°F) with the breeze. Dress for the 'feels like' temperature, not the number.
Avoid marathon outdoor walks. Plan your route with warm-up stops, a cafe, a museum, a pub, every 20-30 minutes. Long sessions outside are miserable.
Don't assume everything is open on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. While some chain restaurants may be, many beloved local institutions close so staff can be with family. Plan your meals around grocery stores or hotel restaurants on the 25th.
Ready to plan your trip to Windsor?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.
Book Experiences in Windsor
Top-rated things to do in Windsor this December
Explore More Activities in Windsor
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Windsor.
See All Windsor Tours on Viator