A vibrant mashup of styles, Montréal has both Parisian-style bakeries and cutting-edge arts events. You could spend weeks exploring the city’s many layers, with 18th-century architecture, canal-side trails, and hilltop overlooks all woven into the urban landscape.
Most people think only of summer when planning a trip to Montréal, but there’s really no bad time to visit (as long as you pack knitwear in winter). The city has an abundance of activities and festivals all year round; visiting outside of the busy summer season will help you beat the crowds and enjoy substantial savings on accommodation.
Plan the perfect time for your visit with our seasonal guide to magnificent Montréal.
June to August is the best time for outdoor festivals
The summer brings an undeniable current of joie de vivre to the streets of Montréal with a packed lineup of outdoor concerts and other big events.
Going strong for more than 40 years, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal draws music lovers from around the globe to see more than 600 concerts — over half of which are free. Also kicking off in June, the Mural Festival sees top graffiti artists transform blank walls around town into brilliant works of art. Dance parties add to the fun.
Montréal’s multicultural community is celebrated at gatherings like the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique in July, representing over 30 countries from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. August heralds the Korean street food fest of Pocha MTL, the outdoor EDM celebration of Ile Soniq, and the rock-loving Osheaga — staging some of the world’s top performers.
Music and revelry aside, summer is the best time to be out and about, allowing you to spend your day hopping between outdoor cafes or watching the sunset at rooftop bars.
For a more active experience in Montréal, head to the Old Port to zip line through the air, take the kids on a challenging ropes course, or embark on a jet boating adventure on the St. Lawrence. The Old Port is also a great starting point for a spin along the Canal de Lachine. You can hire a bike and pedal out to the Atwater Market for a picnic, and keep going all the way out to Parc René Lévesque.
There’s more kid-themed fun at La Ronde, an amusement park on Île Sainte-Hélène. On various nights over the summer, the park shoots off fireworks, which can be seen from different parts of Montréal.
September to November is the best time to see autumn colors
You needn’t trek into the wilderness to see leaves painted gold, crimson, and orange during the fall. Montréal’s parks and tree-lined neighborhoods offer enviable photo ops of nature’s finery from late September to early November, with peak colors typically arriving around mid-October.
Head up to the Parc du Mont-Royal to walk the wooded trails and take in the views from the Belvédère Kondiaronk over the lower slopes of the mountain against the backdrop of downtown’s glass and steel high-rises. Other prime spots for leaf peeping include the riverside forests of Parc Jean-Drapeau and tree-lined neighborhood parks.
By day, the changing leaves create a cinematic backdrop, while in the evening, the botanical gardens become even more dramatic during special events that transform garden spaces into colorful works of art.
December to March is the best time for winter activities
When the temperature plummets, most Montréalers don’t hibernate. Instead, they take advantage of the snow and ice that transforms their city into a winter wonderland. Parc du Mont-Royal becomes the epicenter of outdoor fun, featuring cross-country ski trails, ungroomed snowshoe paths, ice skating, and sledding.
Parc Jean-Drapeau attracts winter fans with a range of activities, including skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. The oval skating rink offers fine views of the city while enjoying the natural surroundings.
Elsewhere, local ponds serve as favorite spots for ice skating. Major winter events take place, starting with the Village de Noël in December, showcasing local artisans and festive activities for families. From late January to mid-February, the Old Port hosts Igloofest, known as “the coldest music festival in the world,” featuring outdoor dance parties amidst laser lights and pyrotechnics.
April to May is the best time to visit museums and see springtime flowers
Winter can seem never-ending, so when the first blue petals of the Siberian Squill appear in early April, the city embraces spring. Locals enjoy leisurely strolls in the warmer weather, gathering at outdoor pubs and cycling around town as the city’s bike-sharing network re-emerges.
In late April, enthusiasts gather for various literary events, and the last Sunday in May brings free admission to many museums around town, along with special arts events. This is also the time for outdoor science fairs filled with hands-on activities for kids.
