Best Time to Visit Canada

The Best time to visit Canada depends on what you are looking to experience. From the Northern Lights to Whale watching, we cover every season.

Canada is known for its beautiful, contrasting landscapes, but because it is so vast, it can be hard to know when the best time to visit Canada really is. Whether you are looking to see the breathtaking Northern Lights or catch the whales emerging from the ocean surface, timing your visit is a must.

Not only do you have these spectacular sights but you also have every city offering various festivals, events, and sports seasons. We cover each season, so you can plan your trip to Canada with ease.

Best Time to Visit Canada

December to March

During the winter, Canada comes alive with snow sports; it is arguably one of the best places for skiing in the world.

Banff, Whistler, and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies are known for standout skiing and snowboarding, needing to be on your Canada bucket list. British Columbia’s Powder Highway, with its deep snow and sunny days, is a must for downhill adventures and is many travelers’ reason to visit Canada.

Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Lake Louise Ski Resort in Alberta, and Mont Tremblant in Quebec are all great ski resorts for you to check out, if this is where your interests lie.

This is also the ideal season to visit if you are looking to experience the various festivals. Quebec Carnival and Winterlude in Ottawa, are two popular options, both offering ice sculptures, dog sledding, and skating.

April to September

We love visiting Canada during the Spring and Summer seasons. This is the ideal time to explore one of our favorite places in the world, Niagara Falls, but also a fun time to visit the beaches, national parks, and lakes.

Cities such as Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary offer a great range of festivals from April to August that celebrate art, music, or their local traditions. Quebec City offers a fun Summer Festival whilst the Calgary Stampede in July is a unique rodeo show that shouldn’t be missed.

There are plenty of things to do in Toronto but the city truly comes alive in the Summer, with the baseball season in full swing, the patio bars opening up, and the festivals, like the CNE Festival, giving you plenty of things to fill your days.

May to September

If you love to hike, then visiting Canada any time between May to September is ideal. This is when the National Parks are in full bloom and you can appreciate all of the incredible wildlife on offer.

If you want to catch the festivals, then head to Canada between June to August but for those just looking to see the incredible nature here, visit in May or September. This way you can avoid some of those crowds and heat whilst you explore.

Banff and Jasper National Parks offer fantastic trails with opportunities to see bears, elk and mountain goats, whilst Algonquin Park in Ontario can be a fascinating place to see moose. Either way, make sure to spend time checking out the best hikes in Canada, to fully experience the country.

September to October

The fall foliage is a stunning rainbow of color if you visit in the autumn and the weather is a little cooler.

Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces turn a gorgeous collection of reds, oranges, and yellow from September to October, making this a pictuersque time to visit. There are also various Halloween celebrations in the cities throughout the month of October, which can be great for those that love the spooky season.

June to September

There are plenty of lakes and rivers in Canada, making it one of the best destinations for water sports enthusiasts to enjoy from June through September.

Whether you want to experience canoeing or kayaking, you can check out one of the many beautiful lakes on offer.

Lake Louise offers crystal-clear waters, so you can kayak surrounded by majestic mountains, whilst St. Lawrence River is a popular option for scuba diving, because of the shipwrecks underneath.

Okanagan Lake is a great choice for wakeboarding and jet-skiing whilst those looking to enjoy whitewater rafting should head to Ottawa River.

November to December

One of the best times to visit Canada for those who love the holiday season has to be in the lead-up to Christmas.

This is easily one of the best places to visit in December, because there are so many magical, festive events happening throughout the country.

Begin your trip in Quebec City, to see the charming Old Town transform into a Winter Wonderland, but then check out the Christmas markets in Montreal. Head down to Toronto’s impressive Distillery District for a vibrant market and then check out the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls.

Over on the other side, you can also enjoy skiing and snowboarding in Banff or Whistler but warm up with a hot chocolate in a cozy, charming lodge. You can also visit Vancouver, to see the many Christmas events that occur throughout December.

When to Visit Canada for the Northern Lights

Many people flock to Canada to see the breathtaking Northern Lights, better known as the Aurora Borealis.

For the best chances of seeing this celestial show, you’ll need to know when to visit Canada for optimal viewing conditions, when planning your trip to Canada.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Canada is from late autumn through early spring, so typically between October and March.

You should head to the northern regions for the best views of the aurora, including Yukon, Northern Quebec, and Churchill, Manitoba.

When to Visit Canada for Whale Watching

Canada is home to some of the best places on earth to watch whales in their natural habitat. Timing is crucial, however, so make sure to plan your trip during the best time to visit Canada for whale watching.

If you are visiting the Pacific coast, then May to October is the best time for your visit. This is when you can expect to see orcas, humpbacks, and grey whales.

Atlantic Coast visitors should head here from June to September, to catch spotting humpbacks and beluga whales.

If you are planning a trip to see the whales, make sure to book a guided tour in advance and dress in layers; it can get chilly out in the water.

How to plan a trip to Canada