Warming weather and fewer crowds make late spring and early summer a remarkable time to visit Canada. As the long days start to get warmer in June, outdoor enthusiasts will find some of the best hiking, boating, camping, and fishing destinations available. In warmer regions, music and arts festivals begin to unfold outdoors.
However, the weather varies significantly across the country. For instance, June in Vancouver is quite different from June in Montreal. Generally, West Coast weather, such as in Vancouver, is milder compared to Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Halifax, and other eastern destinations. Moreover, June marks the beginning of easier access to Canada’s northern territories including the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Canada Weather in June
During this time, the warming weather brings a significant advantage: fewer crowds and often lower prices on accommodations and activities.
Here are average June temperatures (low/high) for selected cities across Canada, illustrating the climate diversity:
- Vancouver, BC: 52 / 66 Fahrenheit (11 / 19 Celsius)
- Edmonton, AB: 45 / 70 Fahrenheit (7 / 21 Celsius)
- Yellowknife, NWT: 46 / 64 Fahrenheit (8 / 18 Celsius)
- Inukjuak, NU: 32 / 46 Fahrenheit (0 / 8 Celsius)
- Winnipeg, MB: 50 / 73 Fahrenheit (10 / 23 Celsius)
- Ottawa, ON: 54 / 75 Fahrenheit (12 / 24 Celsius)
- Toronto, ON: 52 / 75 Fahrenheit (11 / 24 Celsius)
- Montréal, QC: 55 / 73 Fahrenheit (13 / 23 Celsius)
- Halifax, NS: 48 / 68 Fahrenheit (9 / 20 Celsius)
- St. John’s, NF: 43 / 61 Fahrenheit (6 / 16 Celsius)
Rainfall varies, with cities like Calgary averaging 3.7 inches over 14 days. Snow, however, is unusual except at high elevations or in very northern provinces.
What to Pack
When preparing for your trip, layering is key. While milder climates may offer warm weather during the day, it can get cold at night, necessitating a jacket or wrap. Additionally, it is prudent to bring a waterproof outer layer and an umbrella due to the possibility of rain. Your winter coat will only be needed in the Northern Territories.
If engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or fishing, remember to pack your usual gear. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for sightseeing, especially since you might traverse cobblestone streets in historic districts or dirt paths in beautiful parks and gardens. In terms of evening attire, larger east coast cities tend to be more formal compared to places like Victoria, British Columbia, where comfort often prevails.
Be mindful that black flies, deer flies, and horse flies are common throughout central Canada, particularly in forested areas. Their bites can be bothersome, so it’s advisable to pack repellent, lightweight clothing for coverage, and a hat.
June Events in Canada
Throughout June, a plethora of theater, music, and food festivals take place, many of which are long-standing annual traditions. In addition to these iconic events, visitors can partake in a vibrant Pride parade in Toronto or indulge in wine tastings at vineyards in Niagara.
- Gros Morne Theatre Festival: This 16-week summer repertory season commences in May and runs until September, featuring two performances nightly in Cow Head.
- The Niagara Homegrown Wine Festival: Kicking off summer with a tailgate party featuring 30 Niagara wineries at 13th Street Winery, it showcases VQA wines and farm-to-table cuisine.
- Banff Summer Arts Festival: This festival in Banff, Alberta, spans from May through August, offering music, film, theater, and dance performances, ensuring a comprehensive experience of visual and literary arts.
- The Charlottetown Festival: A major celebration of Canadian performing arts, including the renowned “Anne of Green Gables – The Musical,” runs from mid-June to late September in Prince Edward Island’s capital.
- The Stratford Festival: This repertory theater festival focuses on Shakespeare’s works from May to October in Stratford, Ontario.
- The Shaw Festival: As one of North America’s largest repertory companies, it stages renowned productions by Shaw and his contemporaries from April to November in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
- The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal: This annual late June event attracts jazz lovers globally, featuring hundreds of concerts over the week and a half duration, holding the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest jazz festival.
- Pride events are celebrated across Canada in June, with Toronto Pride being one of the largest, drawing over a million attendees and including a vibrant array of programs and parades.
- National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 features events celebrating First Nations’ culture across Vancouver, B.C., often with free admission to places like the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.
- In London, Ontario, the International Food and Craft Beer Festival takes place in Victoria Park, boasting a wide variety of food options alongside local craft beer.
