Hilton Head Island Weather in December
Mild for winter, often clear and quiet, with the island lit up for the holidays.
- Avg. high
- 63°F
- Avg. low
- 43°F
- Rain
- 3.1 in.
- Ocean
- 58°F
- Sunrise
- 7:17 a.m.
- Sunset
- 5:20 p.m.
Average temps and rain for Hilton Head Island, SC; ocean temperature from NOAA’s Fort Pulaski gauge; sunrise and sunset on December 15.
What December feels like on Hilton Head
The average temperature in December is 63°F for highs and 43°F for lows, with about 3.1 inches of rain, and the ocean averages 58°F.
December is mild for a winter month: highs in the low 60s, lows around 43 and about 3 inches of rain. Days are short but often clear, and the island runs on a quieter, holiday-lit schedule.
The ocean is in the upper 50s, so the beach is for walking. Plan for a jacket in the evening, and it is a comfortable month for golf, tennis and cycling.
A few warm days touch 70, and a cold front can bring nights near freezing. The days are the shortest of the year, with the sun setting around 5:20 p.m.
Snow is very rare. The most famous snow in local memory fell just before Christmas 1989, when about five inches were measured at Beaufort.
Sunrise and sunset in December
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | 7:06 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 10 hr 12 min |
| Dec 15 | 7:17 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 10 hr 3 min |
| Dec 31 | 7:24 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 10 hr 5 min |
Eastern time, calculated for the island with NOAA’s solar equations. Daylight runs from 10 hr 12 min on Dec 1 to 10 hr 5 min on Dec 31. For today’s times and the next two weeks, see the live weather page.
What’s on in Hilton Head in December
Harbour Town Lights shines every evening through New Year’s Day, Shelter Cove has its holiday lights, and the month ends with New Year’s Eve in Harbour Town.
Read the guideHarbour Town lit up every evening for the holidays around a tall Christmas tree. The tree lighting is the Friday after Thanksgiving, just before a Gregg Russell concert.
Read the guideHoliday concerts, among them Gregg Russell’s Christmas concert under the Liberty Oak, holiday markets and wagon rides in Sea Pines.
Read the guideShelter Cove’s holiday lights and A Coastal Christmas, the town tree lighting and Sea Pines’ Holiday Lights Wagon Ride at Heritage Farm, on top of Harbour Town Lights.
Read the guideNew Year’s Eve in Harbour Town, plus dinners and parties at restaurants around the island.
Dates move a little each year. For this year’s dates and everything else on, see the Hilton Head events calendar, which lists every event month by month.
Things to do on Hilton Head in December
Things to do in Hilton Head in December: holiday lights, concerts and markets, golf and tennis in cool weather, and long beach walks. Christmas week and New Year’s are busy, so book those dates early.
Dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day, on a leash or under voice control.
What to pack for Hilton Head in December
A warm jacket for evenings, sweaters, long pants and a hat. Bring one or two lighter shirts for sunny afternoons, and something dressy if you are out for the holidays.
Hilton Head in December: questions
What is the weather like in Hilton Head in December?
The average high is 63°F and the average low 43°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain. The ocean averages 58°F (NOAA, Fort Pulaski gauge).
What is there to do in Hilton Head in December?
Harbour Town Lights and Shelter Cove’s holiday lights, holiday concerts and markets, wagon rides in Sea Pines, golf, tennis and biking in cool weather, and New Year’s Eve in Harbour Town.
What is the average temp in Hilton Head in December?
The average high is about 63°F and the average low about 43°F.
Does it snow on Hilton Head at Christmas?
Almost never. The famous exception is Christmas 1989, when about five inches fell at Beaufort, according to the South Carolina State Climatology Office.
Hilton Head weather in other months
To compare all 12 months in one table, with the live forecast, radar and water temperature, see Hilton Head weather by month, and for help choosing dates, the best time to visit Hilton Head.
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