When to visit Ottawa without the crowds
Ottawa (Canada) is calmest in February, March, April, June, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
Jun & Sep–Oct
When everyone heads home
The second week of July.
Tip
In January the Rideau Canal becomes the world's longest skating rink, without the crowds.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 · moderate | -4 °C (25 °F) | New Year's Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm | -2 °C (28 °F) | Winterlude & Rideau Canal skating (Feb) |
| March | 2/5 · calm | 4 °C (38 °F) | Good Friday |
| April | 2/5 · calm | 11 °C (52 °F) | |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (67 °F) | Tulip Festival (May), Victoria Day |
| June | 2/5 · calm | 24 °C (75 °F) | |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 27 °C (80 °F) | Canada Day on Parliament Hill (Jul 1) |
| August | 3/5 · moderate | 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 |
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 Ottawa without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually November (crowds 1/5). In November the average high is 5 °C (42 °F). All the calm months: February, March, April, June, October, November and December.
When is Ottawa most crowded?
The busiest season is July. The second week of July.
What is the weather like in Ottawa?
Average highs range from -4 °C (25 °F) in January to 27 °C (80 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What festivals are there in Ottawa?
The main ones: Winterlude & Rideau Canal skating (Feb) (February); Tulip Festival (May) (May); Canada Day on Parliament Hill (Jul 1) (July).
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
- Montreal calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- 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