Things to Do in Greensboro in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Greensboro
Long-run averages for December
51°F (11°C)
High Temp
35°F (2°C)
Low Temp
3.6 inches (91 mm)
Rainfall
69%
Humidity
9
Rainy Days
2
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures: pack warm layers
Making the most of December in Greensboro? Browse tours and activities in Greensboro on GetYourGuide.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December is Greensboro's quietest month. The fall leaf-peepers have gone. The holiday rush hasn't hit. You get the Downtown Greenway bike paths to yourself. Tables open up at Hops Burger Bar on Lawndale Drive. No weekend queues. Just space.
- + That 35°F (2°C) dawn chill changes everything. Southern comfort food becomes essential. Undercurrent Restaurant serves proper she-crab soup now, creamy and hot. Gingerbread appears across the historic district, dense and fragrant. You need food that sticks. Greensboro delivers.
- + The city dresses up without the frenzy of larger destinations. Old Greensborough hosts its luminaria display the first weekend. Hundreds of paper lanterns line Elm Street's brick sidewalks. Their glow reflects off wet pavement after rain. Pine wreaths and hot cider scent the cold air. Simple. Beautiful.
- + Hotel rates drop after Thanksgiving, before Christmas travel surges. This is your window. Historic properties downtown often run deals. A renovated room in a century-old building costs less than you'd expect. Book now.
Considerations
- − Dark comes early. Sunset hits before 5:15 PM. Your sightseeing window shrinks. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park demands a morning or early afternoon visit. Plan accordingly. The park closes at dusk.
- − That 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain arrives hard. Cold drizzles persist. Day-long soakers happen. The wet chill penetrates. The air feels colder than 35°F. Pack waterproof everything. Layer smart.
- − Holiday markets appear. But December lacks Greensboro's festival density. Spring and fall calendars burst with events. This month moves slower. Seek constant activity? Look elsewhere. Embrace the calm here.
Settled on December? Compare hotel prices in Greensboro for your dates on Trip.com.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Greensboro in December settles into a quiet, reflective mood, a distinct shift from the city's busier seasons. The air carries a crisp chill, averaging a high of 51 degrees, and the landscape is often softened by the gray light of short days, with bare branches tracing stark lines against the sky. Locals trade patio tables for cozy corners in cafes, and the rhythm of the city turns inward, making it a time for examining its layered stories without the crowds.
Gallows, Gunpowder & Graves of Greensboro Ghost Tours
walking_tourA Gallows, Gunpowder & Graves of Greensboro Ghost Tours experience takes you into the city's shadowed corners after dark, where guides recount tales of Revolutionary War skirmishes and lingering spirits. You will hear creaks in aged buildings, see the faint glow of lantern light on cobblestone, and feel the palpable silence of historic cemeteries under the winter night sky.
This tour connects you to the visceral, often unsettling human stories behind Greensboro's foundational moments, far beyond textbook dates.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, insulated footwear as the December ground can be damp and cold, and the tour proceeds regardless of a light drizzle.
Greensboro: Downtown Historic Walking Tour
culturalThe Greensboro Downtown Historic Walking Tour peels back the modern layers of the city center to reveal architectural details and narratives from its textile and civil rights history. You will see the weathered brick of old factories, hear the echo of your steps in narrow alleyways, and feel the textured iron of historic lampposts.
It provides the essential spatial understanding of how Greensboro's commerce, industry, and social movements physically shaped its downtown grid.
Insider tip: Start the tour in the late morning to catch the best winter light for photographing the intricate facades of buildings like the Jefferson Standard Building.
Greensboro: True Crime Walking Tour
walking_tourGreensboro: True Crime Walking Tour examines the city's more notorious 20th-century chapters, visiting sites of infamous heists, scandals, and unsolved mysteries. The guide's narration cuts through the quiet hum of downtown, making you notice overlooked doorways and feel the weight of stories in seemingly ordinary places.
It has a compelling, alternative lens on the city's character, focusing on the grit and drama that unfolded on its very sidewalks.
Insider tip: This tour covers several blocks. Dress in warm, layered clothing to stay comfortable during the standing stops in the open December air.
Where to Stay in Greensboro in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★
Mid-Range
Embassy Suites by Hilton Greensboro Airport
From $108 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
★★★★
Luxury
Grandover Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Hotel
From $220 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
New Year's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Greensboro Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals handle dreary December days with long lunches. Dame's Chicken & Waffles on Gorrell Street or Scrambled Southern Diner pack out on rainy weekends. Tuesday at 1:30 PM? Walk right in. Make the midday meal your main event.
The Greenhill Gallery shop delivers unique, local-artist-made holiday gifts. Skip big-box chaos. The pottery, glasswork, and jewelry selection is exceptional. It is quieter than malls. It smells like pine and art books.
Parking downtown is easier and often free on weekends in December, except during parade days. Skip the parking decks. Hunt for street spots. Two-hour limits rarely get enforced on Saturdays outside holiday rush.
When weather turns foul, the Central Library on Church Street becomes a glorious refuge. Find a chair by huge windows. Watch rain streak the glass. Soak in the quiet hum of people reading.
Avoid These Mistakes
Do not underestimate wet cold. A 40°F (4°C) day with rain and wind in Greensboro feels harsher than a dry 30°F (-1°C) day up north. Pack for dampness, not just temperature.
Avoid packing too many outdoor activities into one day. Limited daylight and rain potential make slow, flexible schedules essential. Pick one main outdoor thing per day.
Do not assume all holiday events happen on weekends. The Luminary Walk and some museum events occur on weeknights, which are often less crowded. Check specific dates, not just December.
Short on time? See day trips around Greensboro on GetYourGuide.
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