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The best time to visit Montreal depends on whether you want summer festivals, fall foliage, or winter snow sports. In short, June and September offer the best mix of mild weather, open attractions, and thinner crowds than peak July. This best time to visit Montreal guide breaks down each season with dates, prices, and what to avoid. For the underlying climate numbers, see our Montreal weather by month guide.
Best Time to Visit Montreal: Summer (June to August)
Summer is the liveliest and most expensive window. June is the sweet spot: highs average 24C (75F), the Grand Prix du Canada fills the city in early to mid-June, and the Montreal International Jazz Festival opens the last week of June with hundreds of free outdoor shows at Place des Festivals. July and August average 26C (79F) and 25C (77F) but bring peak hotel rates, often 30 to 50 percent above June, plus humidity that can reach a humidex of 38C (100F). Book summer hotels three to four months ahead, especially for the where to stay in Montreal hot spots in Old Montreal.
Best Time to Visit Montreal: Fall (September to October)
September is arguably the best overall month to visit Montreal. The high drops to a pleasant 20C (68F), summer crowds have thinned, and hotel prices fall 20 to 30 percent from their July peak. October cools to 13C (55F) but delivers the fall foliage, with the maples and oaks on Mount Royal turning between roughly October 5 and October 20. October is also one of the wettest months at 94mm of rain, so pack a raincoat. The things to do in Montreal list stays fully open through October, with terrace season ending around mid-month.
Best Time to Visit Montreal: Winter (December to March)
Winter is the budget season and a real draw for people who want the full French-Canadian snow experience. December brings the Christmas markets and a festive Old Montreal, with highs around -2C (28F). January and February are coldest, averaging -5C (23F) and -4C (25F) with lows near -14C (7F), and the city gets about 52cm of snow in January alone. In exchange, hotel rates drop to their lowest of the year, often 40 to 50 percent below summer, and the Montreal events and festivals calendar fills with Igloofest and Montreal en Lumiere. Avoid January if you dislike extreme cold or outdoor queues.
Best Time to Visit Montreal: Spring (April to May)
Spring is a shoulder season with unpredictable weather. April highs average 11C (52F) but a late snowstorm is still possible, and May warms to 19C (66F) with about 12 rainy days. Hotel prices are moderate, and you will find the Montreal neighborhoods opening their terraces by late May. The main drawback is mud and meltwater in April; if you want spring, target the last two weeks of May, when the lilacs bloom and most attractions are open without summer pricing.
Best Time to Visit Montreal: Cheapest and Quietest Months
The cheapest months are January and February, when flights from US and European hubs can drop by a third and downtown hotels undercut their July rates by up to 50 percent. The quietest stretch is the six weeks between early November and mid-December, before the Christmas rush, when the first snow has not yet drawn ski-trip crowds. If your goal is value plus good weather, book the last week of September or the first week of October. For a complete packing list and transport advice, see our Montreal travel tips and FAQ guide. Return to our Montreal guide for the full cluster.
