December is the festive heart of the dark season. At around −12°C the sun never rises — full polar night — and the town leans into it with lights, food, and a social rhythm. Husky season opens, snowmobile and ice caves are running, and aurora odds are strong. This is our Polar Night season at its most atmospheric. The verdict: a great month for darkness, aurora, and winter activities, but book early — the holiday weeks go first.
There is no daylight, just deep twilight at best around midday. The snow and the town’s lights carry the mood, and the long darkness is exactly what gives aurora so many hours to appear.
Light & weather
| Avg temp | Daylight | Season |
|---|---|---|
| −12°C | None; full civil polar night | Polar Night |
It is cold and dry. The issued suit, boots, gloves, and headlamp handle the conditions, and as always wind matters more than the raw temperature. Snow is well established, which is why husky lines can finally run. The town’s festive lighting through the holiday period gives the dark a particular character — strings of lights, lit windows, and the church and main street glowing against the snow — which is a large part of why many travellers choose December over the equally dark but quieter January and November.
What’s running this month
December opens the full winter slate. Husky sledding (Dec–May) starts this month as the snow sets. Snowmobile safaris (Nov–May) and glacier ice caves (Nov–Apr) are running, and aurora chasing (Oct–Mar) is at its strongest under near-constant darkness. Boats, ATV, hiking, and cruises are all out of season. Snowmobile aurora safaris and the trapper-camp dinners are the signature December outings.
December is the first month the activity slate is genuinely complete for winter — husky included — which is why it works well for travellers who want one trip to cover the classic dark-season experiences. The holiday weeks compress demand into a short window, so the popular departures and accommodation around Christmas and New Year fill earliest. If you want those specific dates, treat booking as the first step of planning rather than the last.
Should you come in December?
Come in December if you want the dark season at its most festive: husky just opening, strong aurora odds, snowmobile and ice caves running, and a lit-up town built for the darkness. It suits travellers who want the full winter programme with holiday atmosphere.
Pick a different month if you need daylight or want husky and snowmobile at their absolute peak — March or April pair snow with returning light. For the deepest, quietest dark, January. For summer wildlife and boats, see July. December holiday weeks book first, so reserve 2–4 months out.
Quick answers
- Can you see the northern lights in December in Svalbard?
- Yes — December is one of the strongest aurora months because the sky is dark almost 24 hours a day during the polar night. Sightings still depend on clear skies and solar activity, so nothing is guaranteed.
- Does the sun rise in December in Svalbard?
- No. December is full civil polar night — the sun stays well below the horizon all month, with only the faintest glow, if any, around midday.
- Is December a good time to visit Svalbard?
- Yes, if you want the festive heart of the dark season. Husky sledding opens this month, snowmobile and ice caves run, aurora odds are strong, and the town is lit up. Book early — the holiday weeks fill first.
- How cold is Svalbard in December?
- Around −12°C — cold and dry, manageable with the issued insulated gear. Wind is the main factor in how cold it actually feels.
Updated 6 June 2026.