Orlando Weather in November and December: Temperatures, Rain and What to Pack

November and December are the best months of the year to visit Orlando for weather, and a lot of people don't know it. Summer heat and storms are gone, hurricane season ends, and most days are sunny and in the 70s.

The one catch: it can get properly cold at night, and visitors packing for "Florida" get caught out every year. Here's what to expect, from the National Weather Service's 1991 to 2020 normals for Orlando, and what to pack.

Orlando weather in November

November starts warm and ends cool.

• Average high: 78°F for the month. About 81°F on November 1, falling to 76°F by November 30.
• Average low: 58°F. About 61°F early in the month and 56°F by the end.
• Rain: about 1.8 inches for the whole month, one of the driest months of the year.
• Thanksgiving week (Thanksgiving is November 26, 2026) normally runs about 77°F in the afternoon and 56°F in the morning.

Early November can still feel like summer. By late November, mornings are cool enough for a jacket and afternoons are perfect.

Orlando weather in December

• Average high: 74°F for the month. About 76°F on December 1, falling to 72°F by December 31.
• Average low: 53°F. It drops to about 50°F by the end of the month.
• Rain: about 2.5 inches for the month, mostly from passing cold fronts rather than summer-style afternoon storms.
• Christmas Day normally runs about 73°F and 51°F.

The cold fronts are the real story

Averages hide the swings. A few times each winter a cold front pushes through and drops Orlando into the 40s for a night or two, sometimes lower. The record low for Christmas Day in Orlando is 21°F, set in 1983. It's rare, but you will almost certainly see at least one night in the 40s if you spend a week here in December.

The flip side: it can also be 85°F. The record high for December 25 is 86°F. Check the 10-day forecast before you finish packing.

Other things that change in November and December

• Hurricane season ends November 30. Late-season storms are uncommon, and December is outside the season entirely.
• Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, 2026. After that, the sun sets around 5:30 PM. Plan outdoor things for earlier in the day.
• Mosquitoes and humidity drop off. Outdoor tours, nature parks and hiking are much more comfortable.
• Crowds: early November and early December are quieter at the theme parks. Thanksgiving week and December 20 to January 1 are among the busiest weeks of the year.

What to pack for Orlando in November and December

• Layers. T-shirts for the afternoon and a fleece or light jacket for mornings and nights. This is the single most important thing.
• Long pants for evenings, especially at night events like holiday parties and light shows.
• A warmer jacket if a front is coming. If the forecast shows lows in the 40s, a real jacket, not just a hoodie.
• Closed-toe shoes if you're going to ICE! at Gaylord Palms. The inside is 9°F, and sandals aren't allowed on the slides.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses. The Florida sun is still strong in December.
• A swimsuit, maybe. Heated hotel pools are great. Theme park water rides are cold. And Florida's springs stay in the low 70s all year, which feels warm on a cool morning. See our guide to springs near Orlando.

Is it warm enough to swim in Orlando in December?

In heated pools, yes. Outdoor water parks usually close or run reduced schedules in winter, and the ocean on either coast is chilly for most people by December. If you want water, the springs are the best bet, but some close to swimming in winter for manatee season.

Best things to do in this weather

This is the time of year to be outside. A few we love:

• An airboat ride. Cooler days, fewer bugs and good light make late fall one of the best times to see the Everglades headwaters. Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures in Kissimmee runs tours daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Bottle-feeding baby highland cows at Mini Moo Land. Highland cows have heavy coats and are happiest when it cools off, and the calves are at their most playful on a cool morning. Feedings are at 10 AM, 1 PM and 4 PM.
• Manatees at Blue Spring State Park. The colder the morning, the more manatees in the spring run, from mid-November through March.
• Holiday lights at night. See our Orlando Christmas lights guide for 2026 dates.