Do I need a jacket in Singapore in December?

Probably not for daytime — highs average around 86°F. A light layer for air-conditioned interiors is enough.

Is December rainy in Singapore?

Expect roughly 19 days of rain across the month. Pack a compact umbrella and shoes that can handle wet pavement.

How hot does Singapore get in December?

Daytime highs average around 86°F. Lean toward breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, and bring sun protection.

December Packing List for Singapore – What to Wear & Bring

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Essentials

If you only pack a few things, pack these.

Lightweight Breathable Festive TopsEssential
Singapore's December combination of Christmas and New Year celebrations in 86°F warmth means festive clothing in breathable fabrics — a lightweight patterned shirt or blouse handles Orchard Road's Christmas light walk, the Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland outdoor events, and New Year's Eve Marina Bay waterfront gatherings.
Comfortable Light Trousers or ShortsEssential
Singapore's New Year's Eve countdown at Marina Bay involves standing outdoors from 10pm to midnight in 75°F warmth — comfortable shorts or lightweight trousers handle both the outdoor countdown and the subsequent indoor celebration without the discomfort of heavier fabrics.
Thin Indoor Layer (Christmas party essential)Essential
Singapore's December Christmas parties, hotel lobby events, and rooftop bar celebrations are conducted in 65–68°F air conditioning — a polished thin cardigan or light blazer handles the elevated dress expectations of Singapore's Christmas social season while managing the cold interiors.
Packable Rain Jacket (NYE insurance)Essential
Singapore's December 19 rain days — tied with November as the wettest month — include the statistical risk of a monsoon shower during the New Year's Eve Marina Bay fireworks; a packable rain jacket provides insurance for the year's most anticipated outdoor event.
Comfortable Smart Shoes for Festive EventsEssential
Singapore's December Christmas dinners, hotel lobby parties, and New Year's Eve rooftop events require smart footwear — polished leather loafers or premium clean sneakers satisfy the occasion dress requirements while managing 86°F outdoor transitions between venues.
Quick-Dry Waterproof SneakersEssential
December's 19 rain days — Singapore's peak monsoon — make waterproof quick-dry footwear a practical daily requirement; the Marina Bay New Year's Eve countdown involves extensive outdoor standing and walking in conditions where a monsoon shower can arrive.
Packable Rain Jacket or PonchoEssential
Singapore's December 19 rain days and New Year's Eve monsoon risk make a packable rain jacket or compact poncho the essential insurance for the year's most crowded outdoor event at Marina Bay — thousands of spectators with umbrellas in a crowd create management challenges that a wearable rain jacket avoids.
Compact UmbrellaEssential
A compact umbrella provides quick rain protection for Singapore's December Christmas light walks on Orchard Road and the Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland evening visits when brief monsoon showers are frequent.
Portable Battery PackEssential
Singapore's New Year's Eve Marina Bay fireworks, Christmas light photography on Orchard Road, and the Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland light installations are among the year's most photographed events — a full-capacity portable battery pack ensures phone power lasts through midnight.

Clothing

Lightweight Breathable Festive TopsEssential
Singapore's December combination of Christmas and New Year celebrations in 86°F warmth means festive clothing in breathable fabrics — a lightweight patterned shirt or blouse handles Orchard Road's Christmas light walk, the Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland outdoor events, and New Year's Eve Marina Bay waterfront gatherings.
Comfortable Light Trousers or ShortsEssential
Singapore's New Year's Eve countdown at Marina Bay involves standing outdoors from 10pm to midnight in 75°F warmth — comfortable shorts or lightweight trousers handle both the outdoor countdown and the subsequent indoor celebration without the discomfort of heavier fabrics.
Thin Indoor Layer (Christmas party essential)Essential
Singapore's December Christmas parties, hotel lobby events, and rooftop bar celebrations are conducted in 65–68°F air conditioning — a polished thin cardigan or light blazer handles the elevated dress expectations of Singapore's Christmas social season while managing the cold interiors.
Packable Rain Jacket (NYE insurance)Essential
Singapore's December 19 rain days — tied with November as the wettest month — include the statistical risk of a monsoon shower during the New Year's Eve Marina Bay fireworks; a packable rain jacket provides insurance for the year's most anticipated outdoor event.
Smart-Casual Christmas and NYE OutfitRecommended
Singapore's Christmas dinner at Marina Bay Sands and New Year's Eve rooftop bar celebrations at 1-Altitude and Southbridge require smart-casual to semi-formal dress — Singapore's fashion culture peaks during the festive season and polished lightweight clothing fits the December social expectations.
Light Cover-Up or ShawlOptional
Singapore's church Christmas services at St. Andrew's Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, and the Armenian Church require modest covered shoulders — a lightweight shawl or cover-up handles the entry requirement while managing December's 86°F outdoor heat between services.

Footwear

Comfortable Smart Shoes for Festive EventsEssential
Singapore's December Christmas dinners, hotel lobby parties, and New Year's Eve rooftop events require smart footwear — polished leather loafers or premium clean sneakers satisfy the occasion dress requirements while managing 86°F outdoor transitions between venues.
Quick-Dry Waterproof SneakersEssential
December's 19 rain days — Singapore's peak monsoon — make waterproof quick-dry footwear a practical daily requirement; the Marina Bay New Year's Eve countdown involves extensive outdoor standing and walking in conditions where a monsoon shower can arrive.
Comfortable Sandals for DaytimeRecommended
Singapore's December daytime — Orchard Road Christmas shopping, Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland, and hawker centre dining — are all conducted in 86°F warmth; breathable sandals with back straps handle the daytime heat before transitioning to smarter footwear for evening events.
Flat Elegant Shoes for NYERecommended
New Year's Eve at Marina Bay involves significant walking between the fireworks viewing points — flat elegant shoes or wedge sandals provide the smart appearance for the evening's celebrations while ensuring comfort through several hours of outdoor standing and walking.

Accessories

Packable Rain Jacket or PonchoEssential
Singapore's December 19 rain days and New Year's Eve monsoon risk make a packable rain jacket or compact poncho the essential insurance for the year's most crowded outdoor event at Marina Bay — thousands of spectators with umbrellas in a crowd create management challenges that a wearable rain jacket avoids.
Compact UmbrellaEssential
A compact umbrella provides quick rain protection for Singapore's December Christmas light walks on Orchard Road and the Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland evening visits when brief monsoon showers are frequent.
Portable Battery PackEssential
Singapore's New Year's Eve Marina Bay fireworks, Christmas light photography on Orchard Road, and the Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland light installations are among the year's most photographed events — a full-capacity portable battery pack ensures phone power lasts through midnight.
Small Secure Evening BagRecommended
Singapore's New Year's Eve Marina Bay countdown draws massive crowds with strict security procedures — a compact secure crossbody or clutch bag minimises what you carry through the security checkpoints while keeping essentials (phone, ID, transport card) accessible.

Local tips for Singapore in December

Singapore's New Year's Eve Marina Bay countdown is world-class but requires advance planning — the dedicated fireworks viewing areas at the Esplanade rooftop (free, ticketed), the Float @ Marina Bay (free standing, no ticket required), and the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza (free) all open from 8pm; arrive by 9pm for a good viewing position and book dinner reservations near Marina Bay months in advance.

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay Christmas Wonderland runs through early January with spectacular outdoor light displays, an outdoor ice-skating rink, a European Christmas market, and the extraordinary indoor Flower Dome Christmas display — weekday afternoons are less crowded than evenings, and the outdoor light installations are most spectacular after 7pm when the ambient light fades.

Singapore's hawker centres maintain full operation throughout the December festive season — while hotel restaurants and Orchard Road eateries require advance bookings and charge premium festive menus, hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat (open 24 hours) and the Newton Food Centre serve excellent food at normal prices even on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

FAQ — Singapore in December

Probably not for daytime — highs average around 86°F. A light layer for air-conditioned interiors is enough.
Expect roughly 19 days of rain across the month. Pack a compact umbrella and shoes that can handle wet pavement.
Daytime highs average around 86°F. Lean toward breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, and bring sun protection.
Singapore's hawker centres maintain full operation throughout the December festive season — while hotel restaurants and Orchard Road eateries require advance bookings and charge premium festive menus, hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat (open 24 hours) and the Newton Food Centre serve excellent food at normal prices even on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

More tools for Singapore in December

What to wear

Outfit ideas for Singapore in December →

Layering looks and style guidance matched to the month's weather.

Best shoes

Shoe picks for December →

Waterproof, breathable, insulated — matched to the month.

Pack or skip

Umbrella? Winter coat? Sunscreen? →

Item-by-item verdict for December.

Comfort check

Will I be cold or hot? →

Day and night temp bands for December.

Packing tools

Decide jackets, outfits, shoes, and bag fees for Singapore in December

Free calculators — city and month pre-filled when we know them. No account required. Start with how many outfits, sudoku packing, or bag fees.

Trip

Planning a trip to one city?

One city → typical weather for your month, packing counts that fit your bags, and email your plan.

Outfits

How many outfits for this trip?

Trip length, bag size, and climate → exact tops, bottoms, layers, and outfit combinations.

Jacket

Not sure about a jacket?

City + month → base / mid / shell stack and pack-or-skip verdicts for rain jacket, coat, and thermals.

Shoes

Shoes for this climate?

Climate, activities, and bag size → pair count, primary/backup types, and climate-matched picks.

Bags

Will this trip cost bag fees?

Airline + fare bucket + bags you plan to bring → fit verdicts and typical carry-on / checked fee ranges.

Capsule

Try sudoku packing for this climate?

City + month → climate-ready 3 tops / 3 bottoms / 3 layers you can edit — up to 27 mix-and-match outfits.

All packing tools

December Packing List for Singapore — What to Wear & Bring

Hotels in Singapore