Perth events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Cottesloe Beach, plus Elizabeth Quay. December in Perth averages 30°C / 86°F highs, 16°C / 60°F nights, and about 2 rainy days.
Expect 30°C/86°F days and about 2 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden★ 4.8 · 28.1k reviewsKings Park was reserved in the late 19th century and now covers more than 400 hectares above the Swan River.
- Cottesloe Beach★ 4.6 · 3.9k reviewsCottesloe is Perth's classic west-facing swimming and sunset beach, with Norfolk pines, grassy terraces, surf lifesavers, cafes, and Indian Ocean…
- Saint Etienne - Final Australian TourDec 1Freo.Social · Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Perth in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
86°F / 60°F
30.2°C / 15.7°C
RainPrecipitation
2d
0.4in · 10mm
LightDaylight
14.1h
Sea
75.4°F
24.1°C
December is hot and dry, with holiday beach demand and strong sun precautions needed.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 4
- Dec 8
- Dec 11
Show all 9 events for December
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
- Dec 13
- Dec 17
- Dec 18
- Dec 19
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 28Boxing Day (substitute day)Public holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 28Long weekend
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 26-Dec 28Long weekend
About Perth
City overview
Perth is the Indian Ocean capital of Western Australia, spread along the Swan River between the CBD, Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park, Northbridge, Fremantle, and long west-facing beaches. The city feels distinct because urban parkland, port history, beach sunsets, wine valleys, and Rottnest Island ferries all sit inside a dry-summer, remote-capital setting.
Food & drink
Perth food is coastal and west-Australian: western rock lobster is grilled or served cold with lemon, barramundi and fish-and-chips menus fit beach days, and Fremantle sardines, meat pies, flat whites, and Swan Valley wines cover the casual-to-cellar-door range. Fremantle Markets, Northbridge, Leederville, Elizabeth Quay, Swan Valley cellar doors, and Cottesloe beach restaurants add Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, seafood, and sunset dining routes.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Elizabeth Quay
- 2Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge
- 3Swan River foreshore
- 4Fremantle Markets
- 5Perth Mint
- 6Fremantle Prison
- 7WA Museum Boola Bardip
- 8Art Gallery of Western Australia
1Elizabeth Quay
4.5★ · 21,627outdoorOpen dailyThe waterfront redevelopment opened in 2016 to reconnect the CBD with the Swan River through promenades, restaurants, ferry docks, public art, and the bridge loop. It sits below St Georges Terrace and near Perth Station.
Wikipedia
2Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge
4.7★ · 466outdoorOpen dailyOptus Stadium opened in 2018 on the Burswood Peninsula for Australian rules football, cricket, concerts, and major events. The Matagarup Bridge links it with East Perth across the Swan River.
3Swan River foreshore
4.7★ · 405outdoorOpen dailyThe Swan River defines central Perth with ferry routes, cycling paths, Barrack Street Jetty, South Perth views, and riverside parks. It is the easiest way to understand the CBD, Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, and Burswood together.
Show 3 more sights
- 4Fremantle Markets
- 5Perth Mint
- 6Fremantle Prison
Neighborhoods
1CBD and Elizabeth Quay
The center is office-heavy and river-facing, with St Georges Terrace, Perth Station, Hay and Murray malls, Elizabeth Quay, ferries, and hotel towers.
2Northbridge and Perth Cultural Centre
Northbridge is nightlife-heavy and multicultural, with the museum, art gallery, state library, Chinatown, bars, clubs, Asian restaurants, and late food.
3Fremantle
Freo is port-city and historic, with Fremantle Prison, markets, fishing boat harbor, heritage pubs, cappuccino strip, beaches, and Rottnest ferries.
Day trips
19km / 30-45min by ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys, or Perth seasonal docks
Rottnest Island
The island has beaches, bike loops, Wadjemup history, car-free roads, and the famous quokka photo stop.
25km / 30min by car from Perth CBD
Swan Valley
Western Australia's oldest wine region adds cellar doors, breweries, chocolate, distilleries, and river scenery near Guildford.
200km / 2.5h by car from Perth to Nambung National Park
Pinnacles Desert
Limestone pillars, coastal dunes, Cervantes seafood, and clear-sky desert light make this a long but distinctive day north.
Getting around
Transperth trains, buses, ferries, CAT free buses, and SmartRider cards cover the core, with Fremantle, Cottesloe, Subiaco, and Burswood all rail-friendly. A car is useful for Swan Valley, Pinnacles, beaches beyond Cottesloe, and Margaret River extensions.
Planning a Perth trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Perth in December
- What to pack for Perth in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Perth checklist.
- Light, breathable daytime clothes for average highs around 30°C / 86°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 16°C / 60°F.
- Sun protection and comfortable walking shoes; rain is usually limited this month.
- How many days do you need in Perth
- 4 days covers the main Perth highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Perth worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Perth averages 30°C / 86°F highs, 16°C / 60°F nights, and about 2 rainy days.
Ready to plan Perth?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Perth plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.