Longyearbyen Weather in December

December: deep polar night

December is properly wintry in Longyearbyen, with highs around -7°C and lows near -12°C. The air is often damp and cloudy, and rain or snow can fall on many days. There's no daylight, so even a midday walk feels like night.

That darkness is part of the appeal if you're hoping to see the northern lights. Dog-sledding and snowmobile trips can still make sense, but they're guided outings, not easy ways to explore alone. Save views of the colourful landscape and longer hikes for brighter months.

Christmas in the dark

Christmas and New Year bring a cosy contrast to the long polar night. Longyearbyen has local holiday gatherings, and the Svalbard Church is a welcoming place to pause. Don't expect a big city-style festival programme; the town is small, and weather can affect plans.

If you hate crowds, December is quieter than the popular summer months of June and July. But quiet doesn't always mean cheap: flights and places to stay can remain costly in this remote town, and choices are limited.

Make the darkness work

Travelling with kids? Keep outings short and choose a guided activity with a clear start and finish. Poor visibility and slippery ground can make wandering beyond town less fun than it sounds.

For an easy local stop, visit Svalbard Museum during its opening hours, then walk back through central Longyearbyen before it gets too cold. Don't head beyond the settlement on foot without a guide; polar bears live here, and the dark makes it harder to spot hazards. Also, the Global Seed Vault is not open to visitors, so admire its entrance from a distance rather than planning a tour.