When to visit Montreal without the crowds
Montreal (Canada) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
May & Sep–Oct
When everyone heads home
The first week of September, once festival season ends.
Tip
October brings autumn colours on Mount Royal and low-season prices.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm | -4 °C (24 °F) | Igloofest (Jan–Feb), New Year's Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm | -2 °C (28 °F) | |
| March | 2/5 · calm | 3 °C (38 °F) | Good Friday |
| April | 1/5 · calm | 11 °C (52 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm | 20 °C (67 °F) | Victoria Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 24 °C (76 °F) | International Jazz Festival (late Jun–Jul) |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 27 °C (80 °F) | Canada Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 26 °C (78 °F) | |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 22 °C (71 °F) | Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation |
| October | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 15 °C (58 °F) | Thanksgiving |
| November | 1/5 · calm | 5 °C (42 °F) | |
| December | 2/5 · calm | -1 °C (30 °F) | Christmas Day |
✦ = something special to see.
What to see, and when
- Fall colours (October).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Montreal without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually April and November (crowds 1/5). In April the average high is 11 °C (52 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Montreal most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The first week of September, once festival season ends.
What is the weather like in Montreal?
Average highs range from -4 °C (24 °F) in January to 27 °C (80 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What is there to see in Montreal by season?
Fall colours (October).
What festivals are there in Montreal?
The main ones: Igloofest (Jan–Feb) (January); International Jazz Festival (late Jun–Jul) (June).
More places in Canada
- Banff calm in January, February, March, April, May, October and November; busiest in July and August
- Toronto calm in February, March, April, May, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Vancouver calm in January, February, March, October, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Quebec City calm in March, April, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Niagara Falls calm in January, February, March, April, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Victoria calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Jasper calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Whistler calm in April, May, June, October and November; busiest in January, February, March, July, August and December
- Halifax calm in January, February, March, April and November; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Ottawa calm in February, March, April, June, October, November and December; busiest in July