Best Time to Visit Toronto
The short answer
The best time to visit Toronto is late May to early October, when daytime highs sit between 19 and 27 degrees and the city's festival calendar is in full swing. September is the sweet spot: warm days, cooler evenings, the Toronto International Film Festival, and thinner summer crowds. If you want snow, skating and holiday markets, aim for mid-December through February.
Toronto weather by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Snow | What's on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C | -7°C | 30 mm | 37 cm | Coldest month. Skating at Nathan Phillips Square, Winterlicious dining. |
| February | 0°C | -6°C | 27 mm | 27 cm | Still deep winter. Toronto Light Festival at the Distillery District. |
| March | 4°C | -3°C | 40 mm | 20 cm | Thaw begins. Canada Blooms and the One of a Kind Show. |
| April | 12°C | 3°C | 65 mm | 4 cm | Spring arrives, patios reopen. Hot Docs film festival. |
| May | 19°C | 8°C | 75 mm | 0 cm | Warm and pleasant. Doors Open Toronto and Inside Out Festival. |
| June | 24°C | 13°C | 75 mm | 0 cm | Long days, festival season starts. Pride Month peaks with the parade. |
| July | 27°C | 17°C | 70 mm | 0 cm | Peak summer. Beaches Jazz, Salsa on St Clair, Caribbean Carnival. |
| August | 26°C | 16°C | 80 mm | 0 cm | Warm with humidity. CNE closes out the summer. |
| September | 22°C | 12°C | 75 mm | 0 cm | Best all-round month. TIFF brings the film crowd to town. |
| October | 14°C | 6°C | 65 mm | 0 cm | Crisp autumn colour in the ravines and High Park. |
| November | 7°C | 1°C | 75 mm | 8 cm | Cool and grey. Cavalcade of Lights opens the holiday season. |
| December | 2°C | -4°C | 45 mm | 24 cm | Holiday markets at the Distillery District, snow returns. |
Season by season
Spring (March to May)
Spring is the shoulder season. March still feels like winter, but by May the city is green, patios are open and cherry blossoms colour High Park for a week or two. Pack layers and something waterproof.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is peak visitor season. Expect warm humid days, thunderstorms most weeks and a non-stop festival calendar: Pride, TD Toronto Jazz, Caribbean Carnival and the Canadian National Exhibition. Book accommodation early, especially for July long weekend and Caribana.
Autumn (September to November)
September and early October are the best weather of the year for many locals. Days stay warm, humidity drops and the ravines turn gold and red. TIFF takes over downtown in early September. By November the leaves are down and the city cools quickly.
Winter (December to February)
Winter in Toronto is properly cold, with regular snow and lake-effect wind off Lake Ontario. It is also one of the most atmospheric times to visit: the Distillery District Winter Village, skating at Nathan Phillips Square and the Harbourfront rink, and Winterlicious dining in late January.
Best time to visit for...
- Warm weather and beaches: late June through August.
- Festivals: June to early September.
- Autumn colour: the first three weeks of October.
- Snow, skating and holiday markets: mid-December through February.
- Fewer crowds and lower prices: April and November.
For the current outlook, see the Toronto forecast and browse neighbourhood weather to plan around where you're staying.