With pleasant temperatures, long days, and a packed festival calendar, there is no better place to be in summer than in Montreal.
Montreal’s summer events and festivals are renowned worldwide, and there is always something going on.
So whenever you visit during the high season, you’ll be greeted by a lively, fun-loving atmosphere and (hopefully) equally welcoming weather.
Wondering what to do in Montreal in summer?
This guide will show you how awesome this Canadian city is during the warm months and inspire you to book your summer vacation right now!
Visiting Montreal In The Summer
Summer in Montreal sees warm temperatures, long days, and lots of sunshine. Here’s what to expect from each summer month.
Montreal In June
Summer officially begins towards the end of June, and this is the month when the weather turns truly blissful. Expect an average daytime temperature of 24° and a nighttime average of 15°.
By this month, it’s warm enough to walk around in shorts and shirts, and there is a good amount of sunshine. However, like most months in Montreal, it rains for about a third of the month, so keep an umbrella in your daypack wherever you go.
As you may know, summer is the festival season in Montreal. So if you’re visiting in June, you’ll enjoy the first events of the season, like the St-Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival with over 700 street performers and musicians.
Festival Eurêka is a great science-based festival for families. Festival Go Vélo is a week-long event with guided bike tours around the city for cycling enthusiasts.
There are also many music festivals like Festival des Musiciens du monde and Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
Montreal In July
July is the hottest month in Montreal but also one of the busiest. During July, you’ll enjoy an average temperature of 26° during the day and 18° at night. July is a hectic month, though, as the summer tourists arrive, thus the streets and attractions can be crowded.
Still, if you don’t mind the crowds, you’ll get to experience some of the city’s best events like:
- The Caribbean carnival Carifiesta
- The incredible circus performances at Montréal complètement cirque
- The fantastic comedy festival Just For Laughs
Montreal In August
The temperatures in August are similar to July, but the air does feel noticeably warmer.
However, this may be due to the crowds, as August is when the high season is in full swing. As a result, the city is bustling, there are queues to certain attractions, and the restaurants and hotels are expensive.
However, the best thing about visiting Montreal in August is the events. Party animals will love ÎleSoniq, a vast outdoor nightclub that takes over in early August. Meanwhile, fashionistas will be in heaven at the Montréal Fashion & Design Festival, which occurs at the end of the month.
Of course, the most significant event on the calendar in August is Pride, the rainbow-colored street party that takes place during the first week of the month.
Montreal In September
September is for you if you want to visit Montreal when the weather is nice, but the atmosphere is more relaxed. During this transitional month, the air cools down, but the weather can be up and down, with some hot and cool days. The average day temperature is 21°, and at night, it stays around 13°.
As all the kids are back in school, the streets of Montreal appear much calmer than in the previous two months. So if you visit in September, you won’t have to deal with long queues and exorbitant prices.
Although it’s a quieter month. You’ll still find tons to do, with events like Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, POP Montreal International Music Festival, and Gardens Of Light.
Things To Do In Montreal In Summer
Summer Montreal is all about outdoor activities. So make the most of the blissful weather with these iconic Montreal activities.
Tuck Into A Picnic At Parc Mont-Royal
With the warm temperatures and frequent sunshine, summer is ideal for spending time outside and checking out Montreal’s beautiful green spaces. Parc Mont-Royal is Montreal’s green jewel, with many shady spots to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the lawn.
While at Parc Mont-Royal, check out the lake and rent a boat to cruise around. There are also several lovely walking and cycling trails to explore the park’s flora and fauna. Plus, there is often a jam-packed calendar of cultural activities during the summer.
One of the other top things to do in Parc Mont-Royal is to hike the 256-step staircase to the top of the hill. Aside from being an excellent workout, the views from the summit are nothing less than incredible. Yes, it’s an effort to get up there, but the panoramic vista over the city is well worth it, plus it’s free!
Stroll Around The Botanical Gardens & Biodome
Another inner-city nature spot you won’t want to miss is Jardin Botanique de Montréal. Located by Sherbrooke Street, this urban oasis boasts 75 hectares of thematic gardens and greenhouses, a zen-like Japanese Garden, and a cute Chinese lantern garden.
Another highlight of the botanical gardens is the Biodôme. The former Olympics velodrome houses five ecosystems of the Americas under its roof. Walking through the Biodome is like traveling across the entire continent in less than an hour.
Aside from plants, the Biodome has animal species in each ecosystem. For example, you’ll find macaws, boas, dart frogs, turtles, and the Golden lion tamarin in the tropical rainforest.
Then, you’ll spot Canadian lynxes, American beavers, and porcupines in the Laurentian Maple Forest. If that’s not enough, you’ll find four penguins in the sub-antarctic islands!
See The Sights Of Old Montreal
Regardless of the season, Old Montreal is a part of the city no visitor should skip. The city’s historic district is home to several ancient buildings dating back to the 1600s, separated by cute winding cobbled streets and lively plazas.
Notre Dame Basilica is one of Old Montreal’s most visited sights. The Gothic Revival masterpiece was built between 1824 and 1829. Today, it welcomes around 1 million visitors annually and is open daily from 10am to 9pm.
Another must-do in Old Montreal is Rue Saint-Paul, the city’s oldest and most iconic street. The mile-long road has over 2,400 years of history and many incredible historical sites, such as Place Jacques-Cartier, a bustling plaza ideal for people-watching.
Experience Montreal’s French Roots In Le Plateau
Le Plateau is the most’ French-inspired’ neighborhood in Montreal, so it is a great place to visit if you want to experience the city’s French-Canadian culture. Here you will find an array of mouth-watering French restaurants and delis, authentic markets, thrift shops, and unique independent stores.
Schwartz’s Deli is one of the most iconic spots here, as one of the oldest delis in Canada, renowned for its HUGE sandwiches. Breizh Café is a must-visit for crepes and coffees, while vegans will love the plant-based eatery Aux Vivres Plateau.
Pamper Yourself At An Outdoor Spa
Bota Bota is one of the most unique spas in Canada, originally a historic river ferry. Today this floating outdoor spa is a popular place to hang out in the summer.
You can soak up the sun on the sun decks, cool off in the cold plunge pools, and enjoy the river views from the various relaxation areas. Plus, if it’s a particularly chilly day, you can quickly warm up in one of the hot tubs.
Moreover, during the summer, Bota Bota also hosts yoga classes and brunch events. The on-site restaurant offers a seasonal menu and an outdoor dining area to enjoy the stunning summer weather and river views.
Go Hiking
Of course, hiking is one of the best summer activities anywhere in Canada, and Montreal is no exception. There are many nature-rich spots in and around Montreal with trails for all levels and fitness abilities.
Morgan Arboretum is a 245-hectare forest reserve just a 30-minute drive from the city center. Here you will find 10km of hiking trails and several serene lakes. It is always quiet and peaceful here, so it is an excellent place to come if you want to escape the crowds for an afternoon.
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park is another fab option, located around 30 minutes from town. The national park is a hiker’s paradise, with 27 km of hiking trails around five lakes.
What’s great about this is that the longest track is just two hours long, ideal for those who want a short walk. However, by combining several trails, avid hikers can easily create a full-day trek.
Final Thoughts On What To Do In Montreal In The Summer
Although it’s the busiest time of year, a summer trip to Montreal is bound to be unforgettable.
From epic festivals to nature-rich hiking trails to endless beautiful river views, the only problem you’ll have is making yourself return home! So now you know what to do in Montreal in summer, book your vacation and start counting down the days.
