Although most people would not typically consider December a popular time to visit Calais, many would be pleasantly surprised to know that it is. The weather has turned appropriately cold, with an average of 41.5°F (5.3°C) for the month, making it an ideal backdrop for Christmas celebrations.
Calais celebrates the festive season in style and their Christmas lights display is known as one of the most beautiful and breathtaking exhibits in the world.
In addition, store windows are bedazzlingly bedecked in the hope of winning Calais' official shop window contest, making the town still more beautiful and festive with an ambiance reminiscent of a bygone time.
The Christmas market is a popular attraction. It runs throughout the month, offering delicacies such as the smoked herring, a fish that is actually celebrated in November, as well as sweet puddings and pastries.
This market can be enjoyed despite the low temperatures for December averaging 38.5°F (3.6°C) and modest highs of 45.9°F (7.7°C).
There is still a relatively high amount of precipitation during the month of December but, as in November, this can be misleading as some of the 2.8" (71.2 mm) of precipitation falls in the form of soft winter snow.
