★★
Budget
Red Roof Plus+ & Suites Virginia Beach - Seaside
From $79 / night
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Things to Do in Virginia Beach in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Virginia Beach
Long-run averages for December
53°F (11°C)
High Temp
41°F (5°C)
Low Temp
3.9 inches (99 mm)
Rainfall
71%
Humidity
2
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Nor'easters roar in, spitting wind, rain, and floodwater for a day or two. They pass, but they'll wreck your picnic plans.
Making the most of December in Virginia Beach? Browse tours and activities in Virginia Beach on GetYourGuide.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Summer's heat has surrendered. The Virginia Beach boardwalk is walkable again, free of the sticky August humidity that once felt like breathing soup. The Atlantic turns a steelier, more dramatic hue. Worth it.
- + After sunrise, the three-mile boardwalk is yours. Waves crash, gulls screech, a lone surfer's zipper hums. The space feels windswept, contemplative, empty.
- + Chesapeake Bay oyster season is here. Menus pivot to briny, cold-water bivalves. Slurp them raw with mignonette that slices the mineral richness.
- + December slashes hotel rates. An ocean-view room can cost the same as July's garden-view, and you will not duel for parking.
Considerations
- − Ocean water drops to 48°F (9°C). Wading past your ankles is bracing, reserved for hardy surfers in full suits. Swimming is off the table.
- − Seasonal businesses on Atlantic Avenue are shuttered. Mini-golf, bike shacks, some eateries sleep. Energy is dormant, not buzzing.
- − The Neptune statue at 31st Street stands alone. Boardwalk rides rest still and silent. The scene is peaceful emptiness.
Settled on December? Compare hotel prices in Virginia Beach for your dates on Trip.com.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Winter Wildlife & Dolphin Kayak Tours
December is prime time. Summer kayak traffic vanishes from Back Bay. Wildlife relaxes. Pods of bottlenose dolphins exhale plumes in crisp air. Guides share insights without shouting.
Booking Tip: Fewer tours run. Book days ahead. Seek eco operators out of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge or Chesapeake Bay side. They supply dry suits. Check the widget.
First Landing State Park Hiking & Biking
The 2,888-acre park feels haunted in December. Humidity is gone. Cypress swamps echo only pine needles and wind through Spanish moss. Clear views through bald-cypress knees. Layer up and hike.
Booking Tip: Park entry needs no booking. Guided walks appear on the calendar. On-site bike rentals shrink in winter. Bring your own or rent in town first.
Holiday Lights & Festive Boat Tours
Late November through December, Norfolk Botanical Garden and the boardwalk glow. Garden of Lights drives you through millions of bulbs with cocoa. Festive boats cruise past historic homes on the Elizabeth River. Cold air sharpens the glow.
Booking Tip: Garden of Lights tickets sell out on weekends. Book online early. Boat tours are quieter mid-week. See the booking section.
Off-Season Surfing Lessons
Winter delivers the cleanest swell. Nor'easters push bigger, glassier waves. A 5/4mm suit, boots, gloves make it doable. December lessons give you an empty beach and real waves. Catching one at low winter sun is memorable.
Booking Tip: Only the committed. Few schools run winter lessons. They supply cold-water gear. Reserve a week ahead. Check the widget.
Historic District Walking & Culinary Tours
Old Beach and ViBe Creative District breathe without summer mobs. Read markers at the old Coast Guard station. Wander studios unhurried. Crawl from doughnut shop to barbecue joint to brewery seat without lines.
Booking Tip: Restaurants keep year-round hours. Weekend afternoons work. Build your own crawl by following aromas. Guided tours are rare.
Where to Stay in Virginia Beach in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★
Mid-Range
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Virginia Beach (Oceanfront), VA
From $94 / night
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Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
New Year's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Virginia Beach Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the boardwalk for sunrise. Drive to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, pull onto the first island. Watch the Atlantic ignite while the bridge arcs behind you. No crowds, just sky and steel.
Skip the Oceanfront for oysters. Track down a Pungo or Princess Anne dock shack where the boats unload. Slurp them at salt-stung picnic tables, ocean air for garnish.
Scan the Virginia Aquarium calendar. Quiet December boat tours and behind-the-scenes feeds pop up unadvertised. Marine life minus summer chaos.
Rainy day? Duck into MOCA. Sharp rotating shows, then espresso in the ViBe cafés next door.
Avoid These Mistakes
Forget bikini weather. December here means moody beach walks, cozy wine bars, and bracing nature.
Check hours first. That boardwalk crab house or kayak hut may shutter mid-week in winter.
Respect the wind. Fifty-four degrees plus a 15-knot ocean gust feels like the thirties. Bring the shell.
Short on time? See day trips around Virginia Beach on GetYourGuide.
Ready to plan your trip to Virginia Beach?
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Top-rated things to do in Virginia Beach this December
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