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Best Time to Visit Toronto (A Month-By-Month Guide)

ByNina Clapperton

Wondering when’s the best time to visit Toronto? 

I grew up in Toronto, but coming back here these days feels like I’m traveling instead of being home. I actually love this, though!

It gives me the awesome opportunity to be a tourist in the city, and I’m planning to move back here full-time to be close to family.

One of the best things about Toronto is that it experiences distinct 4 seasons. There’s a clear spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Each season has its perks, but I always say fall is the best time to visit Toronto. It has a good mix of cool and warm days, it’s not too crowded, and the city looks super pretty! 

But if you’re looking for the cheapest time to visit Toronto, come in winter. That’s when cold weather scares all the tourists off, and you’ll find the best travel deals.

Nina walking through Graffiti Alley with a variety of small street art paintings on the brick wall.

Let me help you figure out the best time for your Toronto travels with my complete month-by-month guide.

What’s the Best Time to Visit Toronto?

The fall season between September and October is hands down the best time of year to visit Toronto. 

It’s still sunny. You can wear a variety of comfy clothes. The leaves begin to change color. There’s a crisp quality to the air, and the pollen that plagues me all summer begins to dwindle.

Also, my birthday is in the fall, so maybe I’m biased. But it’s still a great season!

Fall is a time of fresh apples and refreshing hikes. It brings with it Thanksgiving and pie.

Make the most of the fall season by going apple picking or marveling at the changing leaves on country roads. Head downtown for the Toronto International Film Festival to spot some stars or curl up with a good book at a café.

I know what you’re thinking. Shouldn’t summer be the best time to be in Toronto? 

Trust me, it’s not.

Suddenly, everything is busier. Children are out of school, so summer camps are constantly running excursions around the city, and most adults take vacations to enjoy the sunny weather.

Plus, it’s insanely H-O-T!

But in the fall, the students return to school, parents go back to work, and most tourists filter out of the city. Lines begin to shorten, and hotel prices take a dip. This is why the fall season is undoubtedly the best time to visit Toronto.

Best Time to See Fall Colors in Toronto

The best time to see fall colors in Toronto is in October.

If you’re visiting in September, the weather is still too warm, and only a sprinkling of trees would have the pretty autumn leaves you’re looking for.

If you’re visiting in November, it’s a little too late, as most of the leaves will have fallen.

Mid-October tends to be the sweet spot to see fall foliage in Toronto.

a large mural of sunflowers against a blue sky in Toronto, symbolizing autumn and the harvest season.

What’s the Cheapest Time to Visit Toronto?

You can save a lot of money by visiting Toronto during winter (November to February).

When you think “Canada,” you probably think “harsh winters.” It’s a natural connection, but it’s not always true. You’ll be surprised to know the average winter temperatures in Toronto hover between -7°C and 2°C (19°F to 36°F).

That’s not too bad!

The temperatures do vary from year to year. There was one winter in 2016 when it dipped close to -30 °C (-22°F), but usually, there are only a few weeks around -10 °C.

The rest are tolerably cold, windy days.

If you’re not a fan of cold weather, use the PATH. It’s an underground walkway that runs through most parts of downtown Toronto, so you can get around the city without actually having to brave the cold.

An extra perk of visiting Toronto in December is that you’ll be just in time for the cozy Christmas season! From mid-November to the end of December, The Distillery District hosts a large German-style market with live music, hot drinks, and festive snacks.

A long boardwalk with a small island out in the distance, one of the most peaceful places to walk any time of year in Toronto.

What’s the Most Popular Time to Visit Toronto?

Toronto’s peak tourist season is in the summer, from July to August. Prepare for hot days, expensive hotels, and crowded activities.

To be honest, Toronto in summer is super fun! The city knows how to put on some pretty amazing festivals and events, from movies in the park to food festivals and fireworks celebrations.

If you love adventure, summer is also the best time to visit the Toronto Islands.

Just be prepared for the extremely hot weather. Temperatures can rise so high that they cause health hazards. And then there’s the smog.

Between the humidity and the poor air quality, you’ll find me parked near a fan indoors, waiting for the first sign of fall.

What’s the Worst Time to Visit Toronto?

Personally, I’m not a fan of spring in Toronto.

If you expect that beautiful rebirthing period you see in Disney cartoons, think again. 

There’s not much wildlife in the city. The only rebirth I see is the restarting of construction on seemingly every city road. It’s a season of damp air and mud everywhere.

It also doesn’t help that my allergies shift into overdrive mode in spring.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. March to May is a pretty cheap period to travel to Toronto, and it’s a great time to check out farmer’s markets and hiking trails.

Between late April and early May, you can even see pretty cherry blossoms in High Park. 

Month-by-Month Weather in Toronto Guide

Toronto has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters. 

Here’s the average temperature for every season:

  • Winter (November to February) ranges between 2°C to -7°C (36°F to 19°F)
  • Spring (March to May) ranges between 4°C to 18°C (39°F to 64°F)
  • Summer (June to August) ranges between 10°C to 26°C (50°F to 79°F)
  • Fall (September to October) ranges between 7°C to 21°C (45°F to 70°F)

Winter temperatures here are some of the warmest in Canada due to its location beside Lake Ontario. The large lake ensures more temperate weather – it doesn’t get as chilly and snowy here as in other cities like Ottawa and Montreal.

January

January is the beginning of true winter in Toronto. This is when the harsher snowfalls and cold weather days begin to hit.

Naturally, it’s also low season, which means that there are fewer tourists, and hotel rates are cheap.

Luckily, Canadian winters come with plenty of sun, too. In fact, you’ll need sunglasses most days to combat the bright, reflective snow!

Average Temperature – 0°C / -7°C (31°F / 19°F)

January Events

  • Winterlicious – an awesome food festival celebrating local restaurants.
Lake Ontario with ice in winter looking at the Toronto skyline

February

February is a close second for the coldest and darkest month of the year. After months of short, cold days, a lot of Canadians fall into a bit of a funk around this time of year.

I don’t feel this too much in Toronto, though. I actually think there’s always something interesting to do or a fun event to attend!

Plus, it’s a great time for ice skating or cafe-hopping, and hotel prices are at their lowest.

Average Temperature – 0°C / -6°C (33°F / 20°F)

February Events

March

March is the last month of winter.

Technically, April is the first month of spring, but with snow regularly falling, it has become an unofficial extra month of winter.

In my experience, this is still a great low-season travel period, but it gets pretty busy around the Comicon weekend.

Usually, there is at least one week when it gets warm, reminding us that spring is right around the corner. So, there’s a chance you’ll get lucky and have warm weather on your travel dates.

Average Temperature – 5°C / -2°C (41°F / 28°F)

March Events

April

April is the first warm month of the year, bringing sunshine and flowers—well, metaphorically.

In reality, it just rains a lot.

But that doesn’t stop Canadians from perking up. The temperatures rise to double digits, and you’ll notice people start wearing shorts and tees far too early.

Prices begin to increase a little bit, and places like the CN Tower and St. Lawrence Market become busier. But it’s still shoulder season, and it’s a great time to travel to Toronto.

Average Temperature – 12ºC / 4ºC (54°F / 39°F)

April Events

  • Hot Docs – great time to catch the world’s best documentaries.
A close up view of pink cherry blossoms in High Park during spring in Toronto.

May

Flowers return to Toronto in May. Unfortunately, the city is very urban, so you’ll have to know where to find them!

I like going to High Park to see the famous cherry blossoms, which are usually in full bloom early in the month. You can also go to St. James Park or Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory.

Weather-wise, it’s usually more pleasant compared to April. It’s warmer and sunnier, so it’s the best time to try some outdoor activities.

Average Temperature – 19ºC / 10ºC (66°F / 50°F)

May Events

  • Doors Open Toronto – explore many of Toronto’s most-loved buildings for free.
  • Asian and South Asian Heritage Month

June

June is the first month of summer. Warm temperatures have become more reliable, and sunshine is the main forecast.

Tourist season is in full swing by the end of June. If you plan on visiting Toronto during this time, set aside a higher travel budget and be prepared for large crowds at all the main attractions.

Average Temperature – 24ºC / 15ºC (76ºF / 59°F)

June Events –

Nina, mom, and friends sitting in a canoe with yellow life jackets. They are on canoe tour of the Toronto Islands.

July

July is the hottest month in Canada, with the hottest days reaching 34°C (93°F). It’s humid, too, and the city gets pretty bad smog during July.

It’s a good idea to visit Toronto in July if you want to enjoy national festivities – it’s the time we celebrate Canada Day.

If the weather gets too intense, do as the locals do and hang out at (or hop into) Lake Ontario.

Average Temperature – 28ºC / 18ºC (82°F / 65°F)

July events 

People tubing down the rapid at Elora Gorge during the peak of summer.

August

August is a great time to visit Canada for cultural events and to guarantee warm, sunny summer weather. It’s also the liveliest time in Toronto, so if you love lively cities and busy nightlife, this is the time to come up north!

For some good old-fashioned fun, I highly recommend visiting the Canadian National Exhibition (we locals just call it ‘The Ex’). It’s the best place to try the most outrageous deep-fried fair foods.

Pair it with a trip to Canada’s Wonderland to hit all of Toronto’s famous amusement parks.

Average Temperature – 27ºC / 17ºC (80°F / 64°F)

August Events 

September

September marks the start of fall and is one of my favorite months to visit Toronto. Although there are the remnants of summer heat, the crowds thin out very quickly with school starting.

However, it doesn’t really feel like autumn. The temperatures are still really warm, and I don’t expect to see fall foliage in September. It’s not cold enough yet.

Septemeber is also an excellent time for celeb-spotting if you schedule your trip around the Toronto International Film Festival.

Average Temperature – 22ºC / 14ºC (73°F / 57°F)

September Events

Some tourists sitting on a park bench with a view of the CN Tower and the rest of the Toronto skyline during fall.

October

October is the best time to visit Toronto to see the changing fall colors. You can visit some local parks, get outside the city into Muskoka, or even get an aerial view of the city’s autumn leaves. Either way, it’s breathtaking. I actually think that Canada has even better fall foliage than the U.S.

Visiting in October is also a great idea if you plan on going apple-picking or traveling around Halloween.

Be aware that temperatures start to dip lower during this time, especially in the evenings, so make sure you bring a jacket.

Average Temperature – 15ºC / 8ºC (59°F / 46°F)

October Events

Festive lights, celebrations, and fireworks above large crowds of peope in Nathan Phillips Square

November

November is the start of winter. It’s time to bundle up, as windy days are especially chilly. I always tell people to expect the first snowfall by mid-November.

As temperatures drop, so do travel prices, so traveling in November is a great idea if you’re on a budget.

If you want to avoid the snow, go early in the year, but if you want to enjoy some of the early holiday celebrations, go later in the month. The cold might scare tourists off, but not the locals. The city is buzzing with fun events throughout the month!

Average Temperature – 8ºC / 2ºC (47°F / 36°F)

November Events

December

December is a fun time to be in Toronto, with the Christmas spirit at an all-time high. Since Santa is a Canadian citizen, we take it very seriously.

I like going down to the German market in the Distillery District. There are all kinds of piping-hot snacks to try, and you can wash them all down with a comforting cup of hot chocolate.

For unique Christmas gifts to bring home, check out the Holiday Fair’s artisan market. The fair has many local vendors, as well as plenty of rides and festive games for families and friends traveling together.

Average Temperature – 3ºC / -2ºC (37°F / 27°F)

December Events

The view of skyscrapers across the water while walking along Lake Ontario trail in Toronto

The Verdict: When’s the Best Time to Visit Toronto?

Fall is the best time to visit Toronto!

Fall brings a special air to the city that other seasons lack. It offers the best balance of weather, activities, natural beauty, and busyness.

I especially recommend visiting in mid-October. It’s the best time to see the city’s pretty fall colors.

Ready to start planning your trip? Check out the best Toronto Hotels with a private hot tub! 

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Best Time to Visit Toronto

Canada Travel Planning Guide

🚑 Should I buy Canada travel insurance?

100% YES! — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!

💧Can you drink the water in Canada?

Yes — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.

🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?

Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. (Read more)

📲 Will my phone work in Canada?

Maybe — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.

🏩 What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?

My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use Hostel World. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).

Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!

✈️ What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?

For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend Skyscanner.

🎫 Do I need a visa for Canada?

Likely Not — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do (check here!). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Nina Out and About. She has lived in 18 countries in the past 10 years, explored more than 30 countries, and has done most of it solo. A Canadian native, she also shares her favourite things to do in the True North. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their expat adventures and Canadian trips.