Things to Do in Cape Canaveral in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Cape Canaveral
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + December is the year's driest window, those 50 mm (2.0 inches) of rain usually arrive as fast afternoon bursts that wrap up within 30 minutes, sweeping the sky clean for sunset fireworks over Cape Canaveral's shoreline.
- + Daytime settles into the sweet zone of 15-24°C (59-75°F): warm enough for barefoot beach time yet cool enough that a half-day at the space center won't leave you drenched in sweat.
- + Rocket-watching odds hit their annual high, crisp skies give you the best chance of tracing a Falcon 9's arc above Jetty Park Beach, where locals line up lawn chairs and crack open cold drinks.
- + Turtle nesting is finished, so the beaches unlock after dark, good for long lighthouse walks lit only by the twinkle of shrimp boats on the horizon.
- − Snowbird season kicks off in December, doubling Cape Canaveral's head-count as retirees flee northern frost. Even on weekdays, expect 45-minute waits for a table at Rusty's Seafood.
- − Holiday cruise traffic clogs A1A from Port Canaveral to Cocoa Beach, when three ships spit out passengers at once, the 10-minute hop to Kennedy Space Center balloons to 45.
- − Surf contests run all month, so by 8 AM the lots at Lori Wilson Park are full and you're jockeying with surf vans for the last patch of sand.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°C | 7°C | 1.3 inches |
| Feb | 22°C | 9°C | 2.0 inches |
| Mar | 25°C | 12°C | 1.4 inches |
| Apr | 27°C | 15°C | 4.2 inches |
| May | 30°C | 18°C | 7.8 inches |
| Jun | 31°C | 21°C | 8.5 inches |
| Jul | 33°C | 22°C | 9.3 inches |
| Aug | 32°C | 23°C | 6.3 inches |
| Sep | 30°C | 22°C | 8.9 inches |
| Oct | 27°C | 18°C | 12.3 inches |
| Nov | 24°C | 14°C | 2.8 inches |
| Dec | 22°C | 11°C | 2.8 inches |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Cool December mornings turn six-hour bus loops through restricted NASA turf into a pleasure, no wilting under 32°C (90°F) sun beside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The 9 AM departures catch golden hour on Launch Complex 39A, and holiday lights make the Rocket Garden feel like a yuletide space village.
December's new-moon nights deliver the darkest canvas for Banana River's glowing plankton, each paddle stroke ignites the water like liquid starlight. Cooler temperatures pack the dinoflagellates tighter, so the glow outshines summer shows, and manatees slip into warm canals for easy viewing.
Only 12 visitors a day climb the 109 steps to the 1868 lighthouse gallery in December, mild air means you won't be gasping at the summit. From the lantern room you can scan 37 km (23 miles) of coast from Daytona to Sebastian Inlet and pick out the launch pads etched against the sky. December sunsets from here are pure gold.
December weekends send a parade of decorated boats through Port Canaveral's locks, Christmas lights shimmer on the water while cruise ships pump carols across the channel. The Cocoa Beach parade route lines the shore, with locals tailgating coolers and folding chairs.
December's dropping water levels pull wildlife into plain sight, gators lounge on mud banks and roseate spoonbills stalk the shallows. At 27°C (81°F), open-air boat rides feel perfect, and mosquito squadrons have thinned since summer. When weather allows, captains push deeper into the marshes.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
On Christmas Eve morning, hundreds of surfers squeeze into Santa suits and paddle out at 8 AM sharp, reindeer-costumed paddleboarders and snowman boards turn the lineup into Florida chaos. A local shop owner started the stunt in 2009; now 10,000 spectators clutch coffee and cameras along the dunes.
The first Saturday of December, 50-plus decked-out boats cruise from Cape Marina through the port locks, fishing skiffs to mega-yachts flash synchronized lights before fireworks finish the night over the cruise terminals. Locals turn the channel banks into a floating tailgate party.
Packing Checklist
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Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Cape Canaveral
Top-rated things to do in Cape Canaveral this December
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