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Best time to visit Quebec

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Best time of year to visit Quebec

June through September and December through February are the best time to visit Quebec as these periods are packed with celebrations like summer Pow Wows and Winter Carnival. You can watch the maple sap boiling into syrup and taste maple taffy between March and May when maple sugar shacks welcome visitors. Summer months are full of outdoor activities like hiking, whale watching, and kayaking. Throngs of tourists during summer is a usual occurrence so try to book your hotel at least three weeks in advance. Indian summer will surprise you with fantastic landscapes and bargain prices on accommodation. Winter cold shouldn't get you down as there is are lots of experiences like ice fishing, Northern Lights watching, climbing the frozen falls, or tasting tourtiere in Quebec.

19 THINGS TO DO IN QUEBEC (JULY 05 - JULY 14)

Montreal Cirque Festival

July 6–16, 2023 • event

The best circus performers from all around the globe perform right in streets of this city

Pow Wow

May–August • event

See the unique annual celebration of the First Nations dedicated to the awakening of nature

The Montréal Jazz Festival (Le Festival de Jazz de Montréal)

June 29–July 8, 2023 • event

Visit the world's largest jazz festival listed in the Guinness Book of World Records

Whale Watching

May–October • nature

Whether you watch from a boat or stay on shore, Quebec's whale observation is one of the best around the globe

Snow Crab

April–August • food

With a beginning of the snow crab season, the seafood restaurants of Quebec become very popular

Quebec City Summer Festival (Festival d'été de Québec)

July 6–16, 2023 • event

The premier outdoor music festival in Canada

Atlantic Puffins

April–August • nature

Meet Quebec's sea parrots, one of the most charismatic bird species

Foresta Lumina

June 16–October 8, 2023 • activity

Feel the magic of an art project that comes alive at night

Montmorency Falls Zipline

late May–early October • activity

If watching the waterfall from the land sounds too boring, try flying right in front of it

Train de Charlevoix

mid-June–mid-October • activity

Experience a railway trip around the most hardly accessible parts of Quebec

Berries from Île d'Orléans

June–September • food

The "Garden of Quebec" invites everyone to enjoy the summer berries

Rafting

late April–late October • activity

This exciting outdoor experience offers nature at its grandest

Summer Hiking

June–September • activity

Grab a backpack and сonquer the mountain peaks all summer long

Canada & New England Cruises

May–October • activity

Discover the amazing North Atlantic Coast with its history, national parks, and natural wonders

River Surfing in Montréal

June–August • activity

Montréal is famous for its perpetual waves on the St. Lawrence River

Via Ferrata Climbing

June–October • activity

With a great number of parks, Quebec can offer more than a dozen locations to try this thrilling summer activity

Kayaking Through Saguenay Fjord

mid-June–September • activity

The largest fjord in eastern North America, only three hours from Quebec City

Golf Season

May–October • activity

Quebec is one of the top golf destinations in Canada, it offers the best packages for golfers of all levels

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing on Magdalen Islands

late June–early September • activity

Find a hidden gem for all wind enthusiasts in North America

43 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Northern Lights

out of rangeOctober–March • nature

The northern parts of Quebec feature aurora borealis during the cold period

Just for Laughs Comedy Festival

out of rangeJuly 14-29, 2023 • event

Meet your favourite comedians and sitcom stars around Montreal during the summer

Casino du Lac‑Leamy Sound of Light Show

out of rangeAugust 2–19, 2023 • event

Five amazing pyrotechnic performances over the Ottawa River

International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

out of rangeAugust 12–20, 2023 • event

Check out the largest hot air balloon festival in Canada with more than 125 balloons from all around the world

Montreal Nuit Blanche

out of rangeFebruary 25, 2023 • event

Among other beautiful nights in Montreal, there is one that will definitely be remembered

Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival

out of rangeAugust 31–September 4, 2023 • event

Dozens of balloons of all shapes and colors are launched at the amusement park

Les Grands Feux Loto-Québec (Fireworks Festival)

out of rangeAugust 1–24, 2023 • event

Dance under the fireworks at this incredible summer festival in the heart of Quebec City

Quebec Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Québec)

out of rangeFebruary 3–12, 2023 • event

This winter wonderland is considered to be one of the world's biggest snow events

Christmas Markets in Montréal

out of rangelate November–late December 2022 • event

Explore charming holiday fairs reflecting rich European Christmas traditions

Snow Geese Spring Migration

out of rangelate March–mid-May • nature

This show is perfectly suitable for amateur birdwatchers, as it will let you see birds in their natural habitat and in a very convenient way

New France Festival (Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France)

out of rangeAugust 3–6, 2023 • event

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the colonial age and celebrate everything French

Quebec City New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

An exceptional place to ring in the upcoming year

Snow Geese Fall Migration

out of rangelate September–late October • nature

Hundreds of thousands of snow geese cover the skies in Quebec, and you should see this phenomenon at least once in a lifetime

Changing of the Guard

out of rangeMay 1–29, 2023 • event

This unique and entertaining tradition can be observed in Quebec City

Igloofest

out of rangeJanuary 19–February 11, 2023 • event

The festival that brings best DJs together to warm up cold Montreal winter

Dîner en Blanc Montréal

out of rangeAugust 18, 2023 • event

When thousands of people have a chic dinner all together

Fall Colors (Indian Summer)

out of rangemid-September–mid-October • nature

When the days are getting shorter and colder, Quebec's landscapes explode with colors

Osheaga Music Festival

out of rangeAugust 4–6, 2023 • event

The world's seventh top grossing festival draws over 130,000 devoted fans from all over North America and Europe

St. Jean Baptiste Day

out of rangeJune 24 • event

Quebec's national holiday celebrates the longest day of the year

Maple Taffy

out of rangeMarch–April • food

Real Quebecois make maple syrup lollipops with snow

Cranberry Harvest

out of rangemid-September to mid-October • nature

Visit the red fruit carpet rolling—an extraordinary harvest on water

Halloween

out of rangelate September–October 2022 • event

All the spooky, scary and terrifying things to do in October in Montreal

Chinese New Year in Montreal

out of rangeJanuary 20–22, 2023 • event

Lion dances and traditional food to ring in the Lunar New Year in Montreal Chinatown

Grands Prix Cyclistes

out of range September 12, 2023 • event

Since 2010 this race in Montréal and Québec City has become one of the major sports events in the region

Ice Cider Apple Picking

out of rangeJanuary • food

The ice apple orchards of Quebec surprise with their mid-winter harvest

Volaria Festival Aéronautique

out of rangeSeptember 8–10, 2023 • event

Get a glimpse of true aviation world at this top-notch airshow

Dog Sledding

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

As soon as winter begins in Quebec, dog sledding is practiced in every corner of the region

Montréal Comic Con

out of rangeJuly 14–16, 2023 • event

A paradise for the fans of comics, costuming, gaming, and modern pop culture overall

Festivent Ville de Lévis

out of rangeAugust 2–6, 2023 • event

Enjoy the finest combination of live music and hot air balloons!

Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel)

out of rangeJanuary 4–March 11, 2023 • activity

Spend a night in an ice castle like a Disney character

Canadian Grand Prix Montreal

out of rangeJune 18, 2023 • event

Have yourself an excellent trackside experience!

Baby Seals

out of rangelate February–early March • nature

Check out these heart-melting scenes from life of harp seals in their natural habitat

Montreal Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Marathon

overSeptember 19–20, 2020 • event

Choose your route and enjoy the run

Ice Canoeing

out of rangemid-December–early March • activity

Try this if you are brave enough and have high cold resistance

German Christmas Market

out of rangeNovember 24–December 23, 2022 • event

One of the most popular winter attractions in Quebec

Christmas in Quebec City

out of rangelate November–late December 2022 • event

Enjoy the unforgettable atmosphere of a small European city right in the middle of Canada

Ice Fishing

out of rangeJanuary–February • activity

Pêche blanche—this tradition that comes from the indigenous people is an unusual winter activity

Winter Hiking

out of rangeDecember–February • activity

See how the main Quebec attractions look under a carpet of snow

Illumi Laval

out of rangeOctober 5, 2022–January 8, 2023 • event

Marvel at 25 million lights and thousands of larger-than-life light structures

Aero Gatineau-Ottawa

out of rangeSeptember 15–17, 2023 • event

Three days of exciting aerial displays in Canada's capital region

Climbing the Frozen Montmorency Falls

out of rangeJanuary–February • activity

Tough, cold, and exhausting but well worth the effort

Tourtiere

out of rangelate December • food

This well-known meal is especially delicious in Quebec region as a part of Christmas réveillon

Nordic Spa

out of rangeDecember 1–February 28 • activity

When you think of Quebec, does spa come to mind? Try local Nordic baths with breathtaking landscapes all around

Last updated: May 25, 2023

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Feb

10.5

Mar

10.5

Apr

10.5

May

10.5

Jun

10.5

Jul

10.5

Aug

10.5

Sep

10.5

Oct

10.5

Nov

10.5

Dec

10.5

Quebec weather in January

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The worst time you can choose to visit Quebec in terms of weather is probably January. It’s a freezing month welcoming tourists with snowfalls and about five sunshine hours daily. Nights are especially chilling, and mornings are alike: be ready to wake up and see -10°C (14°F) or even less on a thermometer. Most probably, it’s going to be cloudy and windy throughout the day. Even if you have a high tolerance towards the cold, be wise and put on the warmest clothes. Owing to the neighboring Gulf of St. Lawrence, the humidity in Quebec is high and reaches over 90%, which makes the low temperatures feel colder. For this reason, Saint-Félicien and Quebec City are colder than Gaspé and Montreal.

Quebec weather in February

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

February takes the baton after January and also holds the position of the coldest month of the year. The temperatures are identically low, and morning walks do not seem to be a pleasant experience. During the day, it gets a bit warmer, and you may give it a try to go outside. But the chances are high that you’d find yourself in the middle of a sudden snowstorm. Snowfalls are frequent and rapid, and they stop as abruptly as they start. You’d better find a shelter to wait out the storm. Though it’s usually cloudy in February, there are several sunny days. And it’s delightful to take a walk after a storm, to breeze in the crispy air, and to watch the city glitter in the frosty sun rays.

Quebec weather in March

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

Technically, March should be a spring month. However, in Quebec, it is still winter at its best—freezing temperatures, icy sidewalks, and occasional snowstorms. By the middle of the month, the weather gets unstable and starts to swing. Snowfalls take turns with rain showers, all of the sudden cloudy sky lets out sun rays, and the day gets longer and indulges you with over nine hours of sunshine. Keep in mind that the weather often changes and at once. So if it seems that spring has come, most probably, it hasn’t. You can take long walks and worry less about the shelter for an unexpected storm, but it’s still frosty outside, and the time to hide a hat and gloves in your wardrobe hasn’t come yet.

Quebec weather in April

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The first signs of spring appear all over the province. Even though nights and mornings are still fresh, by noon, you can see the temperature crawling up slowly. If you thought you were done with shelters as snowfalls are over, you are wrong: in April, you’ll need it to hide from the rain. Sudden showers are frequent but not continuous. In general, Quebec receives over 100 mm (4 in) of precipitation throughout the month. So, buying an umbrella will be worth it.

Quebec weather in May

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

Until May, the weather is somewhat similar all over Quebec, which is just generally bad. However, in May, conditions start to change. The weather is usually better in the area of Montreal than in Quebec City, where it’s tolerable. And if you don’t want to live through one more winter month, you’d better stay away from the eastern areas, including cities of Blanc-Sablon and Port-Cartier. It’s getting warmer outside, and the temperature reaches up to 16°C (61°F). Roughly, May is the only pure spring month, a transition from severe winter to mild summer. And this transition is marked by the first thunderstorms, sweeping through the region.

Quebec weather in June

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The weather keeps on improving, and only the eastern-most cities still have unfavorable conditions. Over the rest of the territory, the temperature rises, and the sky is clear most of the day. The Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Ottawa and the St. Lawrence rivers make the humidity rather high, and the weather feels warmer than it is. Sightseeing, hiking in the area, and even sunbathing are among the outdoor activities you can consider in June. But occasional afternoon thunderstorms are rather a rule than an exception in Quebec. So when going out, don’t neglect an umbrella or a raincoat.

Quebec weather in July

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

July can brag about the best weather in the entire year, the only true summertime in Quebec. Even the eastern territories are welcoming and won’t freeze you to death. If you thought of the best time to explore the province, July should be your choice. Mornings and evenings are warm, days are mild, not hot, the sky is clear, and the day is long. In such conditions, you may spend the entire day outside, walking around or hiking. Occasionally, the temperature may rise to 30°C (86°F), but such heat never lasts longer than several days. Usually, short rains erupt out of nowhere to bring freshness to the July air.

Quebec weather in August

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

August keeps up with July and is a favorable time to come to Quebec. Compared to July, it tends to be colder. Still, the weather conditions are excellent for outdoor activities. For evenings and early mornings, you can put on a light jacket, and it would be enough to guarantee your comfort. The temperature slowly starts to decrease in the east, while the areas of Montreal and Quebec City persist with their comfortable temps of about 20°C (68°F). The first signs of autumn you’ll notice are the shorter days and more clouds in the sky. And the umbrella should never leave your bag as rains keep on showering abruptly.

Quebec weather in September

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

As May is a transition from winter to summer, September is a transition from summer to winter, and it’s the only autumn month before the region immerses into a long and harsh coldness. In September, the temperature drops noticeably. Mornings and evenings are getting colder, and spending the whole day outside is no longer an inspiring idea. It’s still comfortable enough to be outdoors, but consider dressing warmer as it gets rather chilling after sunset. Hopefully, an umbrella is still in your bag. The mild weather persists only in the west, in places like Montreal and Quebec City. The further you move eastwards, the worst the weather turns.

Quebec weather in October

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

Winter is coming. The first half of the month is somewhat bearable, resembling September, but by mid-October, don’t get too surprised if you see snow falling. The chances for nature to cover Quebec with snow grow with every passing day of the month. The days get shorter and shorter. At night, the temperature might drop below freezing. Mornings are chilly, and clouds in the sky are not that welcoming. The conditions get worse all over the province, and the last spot where the weather is just okay is Montreal. Here, warm clothes and a bit of enthusiasm would make sightseeing even more enjoyable.

Quebec weather in November

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The entire province plunges into coldness. There are no cities or areas where the weather is still fine. From now on, for the next four months, Quebec lives in the state of winter. The full pack of conditions you enjoyed in March is back: temperature swings, rain taking shifts with snow, rare sunshine, deeply grey sky, and sneaking wind. So, the hour of your winter clothes has come. If you can stay indoors, you’d better do it. If you feel adventurous and go out, put on your warmest apparel and cross fingers for a sunny day.

Quebec weather in December

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

December marks the start of the most severe season in Quebec. Although you’ve already seen a teaser to winter in November, now it’s official. The temperature might drop to -18°C (-0.5°F), but it’s rarely that bad. Snowfalls are frequent and heavy, bringing over 120 mm (5 in) of precipitation during the month. What makes the conditions even more challenging is the wind. Be ready for your hair or beard get frozen as humidity is high and the temperature is low. Also, the weather in December is generally unstable, so that it might get warmer, with snow melting and rain showering.

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