What's the best time to visit Toronto?
The best time to visit Toronto is in the summer, when the city buzzes with festivals like Pride and Caribana, and the weather is perfect at around 77°F. You can enjoy beach days by Lake Ontario or take a ferry to the Toronto Islands for some outdoor fun. With endless street festivals and outdoor concerts, the city’s lively atmosphere is unmatched.
The city of Toronto is one of the best places to visit in Canada for big city amenities and a multicultural experience. Toronto is home to some of Canada’s most famous landmarks, such as the CN Tower, the Old Town, and the Distillery District.
It has one of the best cultural scenes in all of Canada, with the great Toronto Music Garden, the foodie cluster around the Kensington Market, and many diverse neighborhoods. Best of all, nature is a quick jaunt away wherever you are in Toronto, whether you lounge in High Park or take a ferry to the Toronto Islands.
Like many places in Canada, Toronto has fairly cold winters, so it’s a good idea to look up the weather before planning your trip. Keep reading to find out the best time to go.
The Overall Best Time to Visit Toronto
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The best time to visit Toronto is during the summer, when you have the best weather and there are the most events happening in the city. Summers in Toronto are short, but they are lots of fun while they last.
The weather is also great, and the long cold Canadian winters feel as if they are a long way off. Average high temperatures in July and August are around 25 degrees Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Some days get hotter, with temperatures reaching the low 80s on the Fahrenheit scale, but the nights remain chilly.
The warm temperatures make this the best time to explore the beautiful nature surrounding Toronto. A walk in High Park is much more appealing when you don’t have to bundle up to the nose to enjoy it.
Many visitors don’t know before they visit, but Toronto is actually a beach town. The city is located right on Lake Ontario, and the parks lining the lake have their own beaches. From June to September, they function like regular seaside beaches, including with lifeguards.
You’ll spot many families around looking to cool off. You can also hop on a ferry to explore the Toronto Islands, a popular day trip destination right in the middle of the city.
The islands are perfect for walking, cycling, and picnicking, and kids will get a kick out of the amusement park. You can visit the islands any time of the year, but summer is the best because there are the most ferry departures so you can leave and arrive whenever you want.
Besides the great weather, summer is ideal for Toronto because there is just so much to do. Most of the city’s main events happen between June and September.
Popular festivals include:
- Pride Toronto (June)
- North by Northeast Festival (June)
- Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival (June)
- Beaches Jazz Festival (July)
- Caribana (August)
The main festivals draw lots of crowds, but some of the best events in Toronto are far more low-key.
Wherever you go in the summer, you’re likely to stumble onto a street festival, outdoor concert, or just a beautiful restaurant terrace perfect for al fresco dining. You may be surrounded by crowds, but it’s worth it for the lively atmosphere.
Cheapest Time to Visit Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada – November 27 2021 : People doing ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square at night in the winter/Shawn.ccf/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Toronto is during the winter, which runs from November to March, since the lower demand drives down hotel prices. Winter is the low season for travel in Toronto, like in most of Canada.
The colder weather means that far fewer tourists are willing to brave the trip to Toronto. It is true that the weather outside in the winter is difficult to bear, with average temperatures rarely going above freezing in January and February.
However, if you are traveling on a budget, packing your winter coat may be worth it—hotel rooms are at their lowest cost in the winter, with discounts of 20-30% lasting well into March.
During the winter is also the least expensive time to get to Toronto. Flights to Toronto Pearson International Airport cost the least in January and February. Even around the holidays, the prices of flights aren’t too expensive, and you can score a good deal in December.
Just keep in mind that your day-to-day expenses may be higher if you visit in the winter than in the summer. There are fewer free outdoor festivals and activities, so you may end up spending more on restaurant meals as opposed to picnics and on indoor activities.
However, you can warm up at popular winter events, especially holiday-themed ones such as the Distillery Winter Village (November-December).
Least Busy Time to Visit Toronto
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While winter receives the absolute fewest visitors in Toronto, you can beat the crowds and have good weather if you get lucky by traveling in the spring.
Spring (April-May) is Toronto’s shoulder season. The weather is beginning to warm up, but slowly—you can still spot snow flurries on the breeze in early April. The city is slowly waking up, but the crowds aren’t back yet.
Spring doesn’t receive that many visitors because the weather is still unpredictable. You can get a week with gorgeous weather perfect for exploring the blooms in the Toronto Botanical Garden, or frigid temperatures with rain.
Bring good waterproof gear, plan indoor back-ups, and hope for the best—beating the worst of the crowds may be worth it. Fall has more crowds than both spring and winter, but it would be a shame not to mention it because it provides the best alternative to summer weather-wise.
Fall in Toronto is crisp, with average daily high temperatures in the mid-50s on the Fahrenheit scale in October. This is the best time of the year to enjoy the nature around Toronto because it’s prime hiking weather and the leaves are spectacular.
Popular destinations close to the city include the Bruce Trail and 1000 Islands. Thanks to the fewer crowds, you’ll be able to get a more authentic natural experience by visiting these places in the fall instead of the summer high season.
Worst Time to Visit Toronto
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The worst time to visit Toronto is during the late winter and early spring (March-April), when the weather is truly difficult to manage, and many outdoor activities are impossible.
Winters in much of Canada are extremely cold, and Toronto is no exception. Average daily high temperatures in Toronto are around freezing, about 29-34 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing temperatures continue well into March.
Locals have learned to embrace the winter, and you can enjoy popular seasonal activities such as ice skating or even snowshoeing within city limits. The city does look beautiful when covered in a blanket of snow.
However, the charm of winter wears off by March. The snow usually melts by then as well, but the weather doesn’t warm up. It’s kind of a mix of both worlds, as you don’t have the benefits of visiting in the winter, but the weather is still cold.
As you move into early spring, the weather is still very unpredictable, and frequent downpours or sudden cold spells can put a damper on your plans.
If you visit in March and April, the best thing to do is to take advantage of Toronto’s many indoor activities. Visit one of the many museums, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, or do some shopping before the summer crowds come in.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some of the most common questions to help you pick the best time to visit Toronto:
What is the best month to visit Toronto?
The best month to visit Toronto is September, which has warm, clear weather and fewer crowds than the peak of summer.
What time of year is the least expensive to go to Toronto?
The end of winter and early spring, after the holiday season is over, is the least expensive time of year to go to Toronto.
How many days do you need in Toronto?
Three or four days are enough to explore Toronto, since you’ll have enough time to walk in the park, see the main attractions, and explore a neighborhood or two.
Which is the best month to visit Canada?
September and October are the best months to visit anywhere in Canada, since the changing fall foliage is most beautiful during this time.
When is the rainy season in Toronto?
Toronto doesn’t have a tropical-style rainy season, but it does receive the most rain in the spring and plenty of showers in the late fall.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Toronto?
Summer is the best time for a visit to Toronto, whether you want to let loose at the festivals or explore the city’s great outdoors. For all the benefits of summer with fewer crowds, visit in the early fall.
So, with so much to see and do and plenty of amazing times to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Toronto has to offer. Happy travels!