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Best time to visit Montreal: month by month
Short answer
May to October is best, with highs of about 19–25°C and summer festivals such as the Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs and the Grand Prix. Autumn brings colours on Mount Royal; winters are very cold, with January highs around -6°C, but festivals like Igloofest keep the city lively.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -6°C | -14°C | 10 | low |
| Feb | -4°C | -13°C | 13 | medium |
| Mar | 3°C | -7°C | 13 | low |
| Apr | 12°C | 1°C | 12 | low |
| May | 19°C | 7°C | 9 | medium |
| Jun | 23°C | 14°C | 15 | very high |
| Jul | 25°C | 16°C | 14 | very high |
| Aug | 24°C | 16°C | 13 | high |
| Sep | 20°C | 12°C | 9 | medium |
| Oct | 14°C | 7°C | 11 | medium |
| Nov | 5°C | -1°C | 9 | low |
| Dec | 0°C | -6°C | 14 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Cold March (about 3°C), mild April (12°C) and pleasant May (19°C), with the maple sugar season in March–April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and humid, about 23–25°C, with festivals almost every weekend.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 20°C) and October (14°C) bring fall colours; November is grey and near freezing.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Very cold, about -6 to 0°C highs and -14°C lows, with snow; Igloofest and Montréal en Lumière.
Events worth planning around
- Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix (June)
- Montreal International Jazz Festival (late June to early July)
- Just for Laughs comedy festival (July)
- Igloofest outdoor electronic music (January to February)
When to avoid
Avoid Grand Prix weekend and the Jazz Festival if you want cheap hotels. Avoid January and February if you dislike serious cold.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Montreal?
May to October, especially June to September for festivals.
How cold is Montreal in winter?
January averages about -6°C highs and -14°C lows.
When is the Jazz Festival?
Late June to early July.