What Will The Weather In Brisbane Be Like On Christmas Day 2025?

If you’re spending Christmas Day in Brisbane, expect the city’s signature festive trifecta: heat, humidity and the likelihood of an afternoon storm sweeping in just as the prawns hit the table. Mornings are usually bright and breezy, perfect for swims and backyard brunches, but the day tends to turn warm, sticky and unpredictable fast. And because most venues are closed on Christmas Day, planning ahead is essential (you’ll want a game plan that works outdoors, indoors and everywhere in between). Here’s what to expect and how to craft a foolproof, heat-smart, storm-savvy Christmas in Brisbane.

Brisbane’s Christmas Day Weather: The Early Forecast

Brisbane is lining up for a classic Queensland Christmas: warm early, sauna-like by midday and primed for a late-day storm.

Expect temperatures in the 28–32°C range with high humidity. Mornings typically start out sunny or lightly clouded, making them the prime window for beach time, river swims or brunch on the deck. As the day heats up, coastal moisture and inland heat combine to create cloud build-up, and by late afternoon a thunderstorm is possible (often short and sharp but dramatic enough to reshuffle your plans).

What Past Years Tell Us

Past Christmas Days in Brisbane tell a reliable story. Daytime temperatures usually fall between 28 and 31°C, humidity commonly sits between 60 and 75 percent, and afternoon storms are a frequent visitor once the heat peaks. UV levels are extreme (typically 10+) even with cloud cover.

Compared to other cities, Brisbane’s December weather is more predictable than Sydney’s but noticeably wetter than Perth’s dry, scorching conditions. Hot, humid and storm-ready is the norm.

Image credit: Visit Brisbane | Website

How to Plan Your Christmas Day In Brisbane

Morning: Your Best Weather Window

With most cafes and restaurants closed, you’ll want to organise your own morning spread. This is the ideal time for a beach swim, river dip or park picnic in the shade. Pack breakfast, cold drinks and sunscreen (the UV is fierce even if the clouds are out).

Afternoon: Heat, Humidity And Possible Storms

Because venues across the city shut down, the afternoon is all about home-based or outdoors-but-prepared activities. If you’re hosting a BBQ, start early to avoid peak humidity. Keep an indoor backup ready for when the heat spikes or storms roll in (movies at home, card games, long lunches in air-con, pool dips or shade-hopping in the backyard). Hydration is non-negotiable.

Evening: If The Storm Passes

Storms often clear by late afternoon, leaving a slightly cooler evening (perfect for a riverside walk, backyard dinner or a low-key sunset gathering at home). If the storm sticks around, you’ll be grateful you stocked up on festive snacks and chosen a house with decent airflow.

Urban List’s Hot And Humid Christmas Survival Kit

• SPF 50+, hat and sunglasses
• Light, breathable clothing
• A cold Esky with plenty of water and ice (and champagne obviously)
• A spray bottle or portable mist fan
• Insect repellent
• A list of at-home storm backups: movies, board games, playlists, long lunches
• If you want natural air-con, set up outdoors in the morning in breezier bayside suburbs

In short, Christmas Day in Brisbane is all about working with the weather, not against it. Plan for a sun-soaked morning, brace for a hot and heavy afternoon, and stay flexible in case the skies decide to put on a show. With most venues closed, the day is best spent beachside, backyard-bound or tucked indoors with good food and good company. Nail your prep, stay weather-aware and you’ll have the kind of easy, effortless Christmas that Brissie does best.

Looking for more? Check out:

• 14 Brisbane Christmas Markets You Need To Hit Up This Festive Season
• Brisbane’s Summer 2025–26 Weather Forecast Is In And Things Are Getting Spicy
• Where To Get Santa Photos In Brisbane For Your 2025 Christmas Album

Main image credit: Sandstone Point Hotel | Instagram