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Best time to visit Montreal
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Photo by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash
Best time to visit Montreal, Canada
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -15 to -5°C, very snowy and windy | low | low |
⚠ Extreme cold can limit outdoor activities significantly. | |
| February | -13 to -3°C, snowy and cold | low | low |
⚠ Very cold, with potential for heavy snow impacting travel. | |
| March | -5 to 5°C, variable snow and rain | low | low |
⚠ Transitional weather, can be slushy and unpredictable. | |
| April | 5 to 15°C, often rainy and cool | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Still chilly, many attractions may have limited hours. | |
| May | 10 to 20°C, pleasant with occasional showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ A good shoulder month before the summer peak. | |
| June | 15 to 25°C, warm and sunny with scattered rain | high | high |
⚠ The start of peak festival season and warm weather. | |
| July | 18 to 28°C, warm and humid with thunderstorms | peak | peak |
⚠ Hottest month, can be humid; book accommodations well in advance. | |
| August | 17 to 27°C, warm with occasional humidity | peak | peak |
⚠ Still very busy with tourists and high prices. | |
| September | 12 to 22°C, crisp and often sunny | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Excellent weather and fewer crowds than summer. | |
| October | 5 to 15°C, cool with colorful foliage and rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Days are shorter and cooler; some outdoor attractions may close. | |
| November | -2 to 8°C, cold, damp, and grey | low | low |
⚠ Very cold and often dreary; outdoor activities are limited. | |
| December | -10 to 0°C, cold with snow possible | high | high |
⚠ Holiday season brings crowds and higher prices. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
February
Montréal en Lumière
One of the largest winter festivals in Montreal, featuring music, performing arts, and gastronomy.
May
Montréal Museums Day
Free admission to many of Montreal's museums, encouraging cultural exploration.
May
Festival TransAmériques (FTA)
A major international festival of contemporary dance and theatre.
June
Festival international de Jazz de Montréal
One of the world's largest jazz festivals, attracting international stars and local talent.
August
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
A major contemporary music festival held annually on Île Notre-Dame.
July
Just for Laughs Festival
The world's biggest comedy festival, featuring stand-up, improv, and televised shows.
August
Montreal International Film Festival
Showcasing a diverse range of international films and documentaries.
Insider timing tips
- •The shoulder seasons of May and September offer a great balance of pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and more reasonable prices compared to the peak summer months.
- •While summer is festival-heavy, July and August are also the most humid and crowded, with the highest prices for flights and accommodation.
- •Winter in Montreal is severe; January and February are the coldest months and best avoided if you dislike extreme cold and snow, despite lower prices.
- •Many outdoor attractions and festivals are concentrated in the warmer months (May-September), so plan accordingly if these are your priorities.
- •The 'terrasses' (outdoor patios) season, a quintessential Montreal experience, typically runs from April/May through October, weather permitting.
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