Packing List
December Packing List for Atlanta — What to Wear & Bring
December in Atlanta brings proper winter weather — highs average 54°F and overnight lows drop to 35°F, near freezing. Ten precipitation days include rain and the risk of ice storms that can shut the city down. Holiday events at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (Garden Lights) and Piedmont Park make December a popular visit month. Pack a mid-weight coat, waterproof boots, and layering pieces for the 19°F daily swing.
Averages 35–54°F, ~10 days of rain
Clothing
Atlanta's December lows of 35°F and occasional ice storms make a proper insulated coat essential — evening events like the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Lights holiday display are entirely outdoors in the cold.
Atlanta's 19°F December daily swing from 35°F to 54°F makes sweaters the core layering piece — worn under the coat for morning BeltLine walks and as standalone warmth during milder afternoon hours.
54°F December afternoons in Atlanta feel cool even in sunshine — long-sleeve tops serve as base layers under sweaters and as standalone pieces in the heated interiors of Ponce City Market and the Georgia Aquarium.
35°F December mornings in Atlanta — and the ice-storm days that can push overnight lows below freezing — make lined or mid-weight trousers noticeably warmer than standard lightweight denim.
December in Atlanta includes office holiday parties, Garden Lights visits, and upscale dining — a polished outfit with a structured blazer or elegant knit handles the dress codes at Buckhead's holiday dining scene and the Botanical Garden evening events.
Footwear
Atlanta's December ice storms coat Midtown sidewalks and the BeltLine's paved trail with thin ice — waterproof boots with grip soles are the most important footwear choice for safe navigation during winter precipitation events.
December's 54°F highs make the BeltLine and Midtown walkable on dry days — comfortable shoes handle the holiday shopping circuits through Buckhead's Lenox Square, Atlantic Station, and Ponce City Market.
December is boot season in Atlanta — polished ankle boots or booties work for both daytime BeltLine walks and evening events at the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Lights or Buckhead holiday dining.
35°F mornings and cold December rain make warm socks essential — the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Lights involves extended outdoor walking in the evening cold that chills feet quickly in thin socks.
Accessories
35°F December mornings and cold evening events like Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden make a warm scarf essential — wind through Midtown's highrise corridor amplifies the chill.
December lows of 35°F feel sharp in Atlanta — gloves keep hands warm during evening outdoor events at the Botanical Garden and morning walks through Piedmont Park.
10 precipitation days make December one of Atlanta's wettest months — a compact umbrella handles the steady winter rain that moves through the city between cold fronts.
35°F December mornings and evening events like Garden Lights at the Botanical Garden demand head warmth — a beanie or warm hat prevents heat loss during extended outdoor time in Atlanta's winter cold.
Local tips for Atlanta in December
- 1.The Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Lights is the city's premier December event — the outdoor light display runs every evening through the holiday season, and temperatures drop into the mid-30s after dark; dress in your warmest winter layers including insulated coat, gloves, scarf, and warm boots.
- 2.Atlanta's December ice storms can arrive with little warning and effectively shut down the city — locals stock up on supplies and stay off hilly roads in Inman Park and Virginia-Highland when ice is forecast; keep waterproof grip-soled boots packed for the entire month.
- 3.December holiday shopping in Atlanta centers on Buckhead's Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, Atlantic Station, and Ponce City Market — these are mostly indoor or covered venues, so you can dress warmly for the walk between your car and the entrance and be comfortable inside.