Thinking of going to Montreal? Good choice! If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Montreal, this post should answer this for you. Sometimes, as travelers, we don’t get to choose.
We can be limited with our holidays or perhaps, you want to experience something different. In this post, you’ll find details and travel tips for visiting Montreal in each season.
Keep reading to learn more about the best time of year to visit Montreal, Canada.
Best Time to Visit Montreal – Quick Answer
The best time to visit Montreal is in the summer. There’s nothing like summer in Montreal. My second pick would be the fall since the weather can still be warm.
If you have to pick between the two, I’d still pick the summer as the best time to go to Montreal. Here’s why:
- The temperature is perfect – if you’re not suited for a real Canadian winter, you should know that summers are hot in Canada.
- Montreal is known to be a hot cultural spot. During summertime, you’ll find plenty of cool festivals to attend.
- What if you could attend to big events such as Canada Day or Quebec Day (known as the St-Jean Baptiste)?
Weather in Montreal – What You Should Know
Whether you’re traveling around Canada or just around Quebec province, you should know that there are four seasons. We all heard about the extreme Canadian winter, but most people don’t know that the summer is also very hot.
The temperature can reach 30 to 40 degrees easily.
Seasons in Montreal, Canada
| Seasons | Months | Average Temperature |
| Winter | December to April | -7 (can go down to -40 degrees) |
| Spring | April to June | 10 |
| Summer | June to September | 20 (can go up to 40 degrees) |
| Fall | September to December | 10 |
High & Low Seasons in Montreal
The peak seasons for travelers are usually during summertime and wintertime. Many travelers are happy to celebrate Christmas in the snow too.
The low season is usually during the spring. As the weather can be quite catastrophic. It’s the time of the year where we all get sick since Mother Nature plays the Russian Roulette with the temperature. It’s pretty common to see one day at -20 degrees followed by a day of sunshine at 10 degrees.
During the fall, it’s not as busy which means, it’s also an excellent time to visit Montreal.
Tips for Visiting Montreal All Year-Long
If you’re still unsure of when’s the best time to go to Montreal, let’s see hows the seasons work in Canada. You’ll find information about the reasons that make it special and why you could consider visiting Montreal… at any time.
Visit Montreal During Winter
Visiting Montreal during the winter is an excellent idea especially if you’re dreaming of a snowy Christmas. Even though many travelers are scared of the Canadian winter, it gives you a great opportunity to try winter sports such as ice skating, skiing, tubing, etc.
You could go watch a hockey game and support the Canadian Habs and drink hot cocoa in one of these famous Tim Horton cafés.
There are also cool events during wintertime. Think about the Igloofest (a huge outdoor party where you get to dance techno while wearing your winter gear) or even the Christmas markets.
Winters in Montreal can be quite cold. You should definitely have a proper winter jacket, as well as a scarf, gloves, a benny and winter boots. If you’re planning on spending a lot of time outside, you could even consider having body warming pads.
Visit Montreal During Spring
Visiting Montreal during spring is not the best, but it comes with one main perk – the sugar shack season. You could try the famous maple syrup and experience a traditional sugar shack meal just outside of Montreal.
Spring is also the best time to hit the slopes since the weather isn’t as cold as during the winter.
Springs in Montreal can be cold, so you should bring a jacket, a scarf, a benny and gloves to stay warm outside.
Visit Montreal During Summer
Visiting Montreal during the summer has its perks since many events and festivals happen during summer.
Think about the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Grand Prix (formula 1), Mondial de la Bière (beer festival), the Francos de Montréal (French music festival) as well as the Festival Juste pour Rire (Just for Laughs – comedian festival).
It’s also the time of the year, where you can watch fireworks every week since there’s a competition organized every year by Loto-Quebec.
Apart from these fun festivals, you can also celebrate Canada Day or the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (which is the Quebec National day).
Summers in Montreal can be quite hot. You can have temperatures between 15 and 40 degrees. Usually, the month of September tends to be hot too (we call them Indian summers).
Visit Montreal During Fall
Visiting Montreal during fall is great if you like to walk to admire the foliages. Since you find several parks in the beautiful city of Montreal, you will surely enjoy the colorful leaves. There aren’t festivals or special events during the fall, but you should find cheaper hotels.
If you’re lucky, you might experience a bit of snow towards the end of November or in December. The temperature is going to be colder starting in November, but usually, a light jacket, a benny, and gloves should keep you warm.
Conclusion
Overall, each season has its own features when it comes to visiting Montreal. Even though if it’s recommended to visit Montreal in the summertime, sometimes travelers aren’t this flexible.
This is why you should be able to enjoy yourself regardless of the season. Montreal is a vibrant city and offers a wide range of activities and festivals. The best time of year to visit Montreal is… whenever you can.
