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When to go · Locarno

Locarno in December

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, crowded, festival prices), Nov–Mar (many lifts and boats reduced).

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
8°C (46°F) / 1°C (34°F)
average high / low
Rain days
7
Crowds
High
Switzerland overall
Prices
High
Switzerland overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Locarno

Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, crowded, festival prices), Nov–Mar (many lifts and boats reduced).

Is another month better than December?

December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in December

Long-term averages
  • LocarnoHighs around 8 °C (46 °F), lows around 1 °C (34 °F), rain on about 7 days
  • Ticino, Switzerland · Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzonacool

    Warmest region with palm trees; heavy rain possible in autumn. The Gotthard base tunnel puts it 2 h from Zurich.

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Christmas big impact

    24–26 Dec · Switzerland

    Shops closed 25–26 Dec; resort prices peak through New Year.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Switzerland overall
High
Prices · Switzerland overall
High

Switzerland overall: Christmas markets (Basel, Zurich, Montreux) and ski season from mid-month; Christmas–New Year is the most expensive week.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Locarno, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Dec: Avoid

    Apr: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Dec: 8 °C (46 °F)

    Apr: 17 °C (63 °F)

  • Night low

    Dec: 1 °C (34 °F)

    Apr: 7 °C (45 °F)

  • Rain days

    Dec: 7 (better)

    Apr: 10

  • Crowds

    Dec: High

    Apr: Low

  • Prices

    Dec: High

    Apr: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Dec: 1

    Apr: 0

December: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, crowded, festival prices), Nov–Mar (many lifts and boats reduced).

April: Inside Locarno's best window: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Locarno: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Switzerland in December →