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Quebec City is a year-round destination, but the sweet spot for most travelers is June through September, when highs run 22-25 degrees C and festivals fill the calendar. Winter is for the Carnaval de Quebec, and fall brings foliage and harvest season. This Quebec City weather by month guide has the underlying data; here is when to actually go. See the things to do in Quebec City guide for more detail.
Best Time to Visit Quebec City: Best Weather
June, July, and August offer the warmest, most reliable sightseeing weather. July averages a 25 degrees C high and 119 mm of rain; August a 23 degrees C high and 109 mm. Late September and early October are cooler (18 and 11 degrees C highs) but still comfortable, with the first fall color on the Plains of Abraham. Avoid November and early December, when highs sit near freezing and daylight drops below 9 hours.
Best Time to Visit Quebec City: Fewest Crowds
Crowds peak in July and August, especially in Old Quebec between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and again during the two-week Carnaval de Quebec in late January and February. May and October are the quietest months with attractions fully open. For a sense of what fills the calendar, see the Quebec City events and festivals guide before you lock dates. See the travel tips and FAQ guide for more detail.
Best Time to Visit Quebec City: Lowest Prices
Hotel rates bottom out in January (outside Carnaval dates), March, and November, when a four-star room in Old Quebec often drops below CA$150 a night. Summer and Carnaval nights run 40-60 percent higher. The where to stay in Quebec City guide breaks down rates by neighborhood. Flights to YQB are cheapest January through March and October through November.
Best Time to Visit Quebec City: Season by Season
Winter (December to March) is for the Carnaval, ice skating at Place D’Youville, and the German Christmas market. Spring (April to May) brings sugar-shack season and muddy but uncrowded streets. Summer (June to August) is festival season, headlined by the Festival d’ete. Fall (September to October) is foliage and harvest time on Ile d’Orleans, described in the Quebec City neighborhoods guide.
