Best Time to Visit Toronto

Toronto is one of the most vibrant and beautiful destinations in the world. If you want to know the best time to visit Toronto, you have come to the right place. The largest city in Canada, Toronto is a global leader in commerce, banking, technology, entertainment, and culture. What is the best time of year to visit Toronto? Anytime! Toronto has a wide range of exciting things to do throughout the year. This includes events that draw tourists from around the world — everything from beer and food festivals to celebrations of music, art, and movies.

No matter when you choose to visit, you can enjoy Toronto’s has beautiful historic buildings, enthralling scenery, and fantastic shopping destinations and explore the many secret nooks and hidden gems. There is something for everyone in this city filled with all things entertaining and fascinating. Visiting Toronto means exploring CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto Islands, and Ripley's Aquarium. It is a city that is perfect for people of all ages.

There can be a lot of details to take care of when planning a trip to Toronto. The travel experts at Canadian Train Vacations help travelers from the time they arrive in Canada until they leave. Read this guide to learn the best time to visit Toronto, Canada, and other tips and advice.

Why Should You Visit Toronto?

There are many reasons to travel to Toronto. In addition to learning when to visit Toronto, discover the treasures it holds and the rich history showcased in the beautiful museums.

Here are the top five reasons to visit Toronto from our travel experts:

• The city offers amazingly diverse and delicious food
  

  If you are a food enthusiast, you are in for a treat when you visit Toronto. Choose from a dizzying array of amazing restaurants serving different types of cuisine. From French to Italian, Ethiopian to Thai, Indian to Mexican you will find absolutely everything here. A wide range of formal and casual restaurants, trendy local food trucks, teahouses and cafes, breakfast and brunch spots, pubs with delicious food and snacks, and much more are available.

• Toronto has over 1,600 relaxing parks and beaches  
  People are often surprised by how much nature there is in the City of Toronto. Natural features like beaches, lakes, and greenery are abundant here. High Park, situated west of downtown, is one of the most well-known parks. You can see beautiful cherry blossom trees in High Park during spring. Other amazing places are Tommy Thompson Park, Woodbine Beach, and Riverdale Park West.

• There are many architectural marvels and museums
  The city is home to many architectural wonders and historic buildings, anywhere you go, but perhaps especially downtown. The Gooderham Building, Osgoode Hall, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Cathedral Church of St. James, Massey Hall — there is even an 1868 mansion that’s been transformed into a Keg Steakhouse. Then there are the museums. Aga Khan Museum, Casa Loma, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Royal Ontario Museum are just a few must-visit places.
• It is home to some exciting shopping destinations
  Shopping is everywhere in the City of Toronto, from malls to trendy neighbourhoods. With nearly 300 stores and restaurants, the Toronto Eaton Centre on Yonge Street is one of the biggest malls in Canada. In the 1960s, Yorkville was a hangout for hippies. Now, people go to Yorkville to browse for designer clothes from Chanel, Versace, and Balenciaga. Yonge Street —the oldest street in Toronto and the longest street in the world — has several stretches known for shopping, especially downtown where you can shop for books, shoes, clothing, and more. If you are looking for antiques and vintage clothes, Kensington Market is ideal. St. Lawrence Market is another well-loved shopping destination, especially for foodies. Various indulgences, such as fresh cuisine, unique souvenirs, and antiques, are available here.
  
  
• Top attractions
  Apart from the museums, there are various other places that you should visit in Toronto. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is located in downtown Toronto to the southeast of the CN Tower. The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Canada. And don’t miss opportunity to walk along Toronto’s harbourfront and gaze out over Lake Ontario. It looks like an ocean but, with its surface area of 7,340 square miles, it is actually the smallest of the five Great Lakes.

Best Time to Visit Toronto: Month-By-Month Breakdown

The Toronto climate exhibits all four seasons, unlike a tropical location where the temperature is warm throughout the year. The city is known for its cold winters and warm summers. Here is a month-wise breakdown of the seasons in Toronto:

April to May: Spring

Toronto is at its best during the beautiful spring season. The climate provides a pleasant environment for sightseeing. The temperature varies from 33°F to 66°F. Since summer visitors have not yet arrived, spring is a great time to get hotel discounts.

Packing tip: The springtime climate can feel cold at times. Bring a layering jacket, along with lightweight shirts and sweaters and wear jeans or warm pants. It does rain at this time, so remember to carry an umbrella and raincoat.

June to August: Summer

The most expensive period to visit Toronto is June to August because those are the summer months and peak tourist season. There is plenty of sunshine for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and boating, as well as beaches and amusement parks. The warmest and most humid month is July, which is also the wettest. The temperature varies from 68°F to 95°F.

Packing tip: The summertime is usually hot but nights can be cool. Bring summer clothes, but pack sweaters or a light jacket in case it gets chilly at night.

September to November: Fall

Fall weather can be unpredictable, with a few unusually warmer days. Beginning in October, the city streets and alleys are lined with vivid crimson leaves. It gets chilly at night, especially in November. It is pleasantly sunny during the day, making it ideal for exploring the city. The range for the average temperature is 40°F to 73°F.

Packing tip: For the mornings and evenings, pack some pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a thick coat. You must dress suitably because late evenings and nights are chilly.

December to March: Winter

By December, Canada truly lives up to its nickname, the Great White North. It snows in Toronto and many parts of Canada. Snow covers the streets and sidewalks can be slippery even when they are cleared of snow. The wintertime temperatures may drop below freezing and hover between 15°F and 35°F.

Packing tip: In Canada, winter can bring bitter winds and snow. Come prepared with a warm hat, scarf and gloves, sturdy boots and a heavy coat.

Climate and Activities in Toronto: By Month

1) Enjoy the post-holiday-crowd lull in January

January is the coldest month in Toronto. The air can get very dry so bring along hand lotion and lip balm. After the December festivities, the city experiences a tourist-crowd lull in January. Fewer crowds at attractions and post-holiday sales in stores are good reasons to visit in January.

Key events 

• Toronto International Boat Show (January 20-29) - An annual international boating event

• Winterlicious (January 27-February 9) - An annual gastronomic extravaganza

2) In February, shelter from the cold at indoor events

February is the month with the most snow in Toronto. Several indoor and outdoor events make this a pleasant time to visit. Pubs and cafés are wonderful places to warm up on a cold day. This time of the year is reasonably dry. Days are often cloudy and snow is common.

Key events

• Bloor-Yorkville Ice Fest (February 18-19) - Display of ice creations
• Mirvish Productions’ Hamilton (Starting February 22) - A multi-award-winning historical musical

3) The green begins in March

March in Toronto is known for its unpredictable weather — it feel like winter one day and spring the next. However, you start seeing patches of greenery in March and an average of six hours of sunshine daily.

Key events

• Canada Blooms (March 10-20) - Toronto Flower Show and indoor horticultural competition
• Toronto Comicon (March 17-19) - A comic, anime, and pop-culture convention
• The St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 19) -

  A fun Irish cultural celebration to commemorate St. Patrick and drink green beer

4) Avoid the rain at April film screenings

The weather in April is not too hot or cold, making it an ideal time to visit. Keep an umbrella handy. Frequent light rain showers are common at this time.

Key events 

• Hot Docs Film Festival (April 27-May 7) - A screening of the world's best documentaries
• Spring Pop-up by Toronto Art Crawl (April 16) - An indoor art market

5) The weather gets nice at last in May

May marks the beginning of the peak tourist season in Toronto. The weather is at its best with loads of sunshine. There may be a moderate chill in the air, especially at night, along with gentle breezes.

Key events 

• Tastemaker Toronto (date yet to be announced) - A curated food festival with local and international chefs
• Asian and South Asian Heritage Month (the whole of May) - Recognition of the contributions of Canadians of Asian origin
• Victoria Day weekend (May 22) - A Canadian statutory holiday in honor of Queen Victoria's birth anniversary

6) June is for flowers and rainbows

June marks the beginning of peak summer in Toronto. The tourist influx starts rising from this month onwards. The city blooms with colorful flowers, and the sunny weather lifts everyone's spirits.

Key events 

• Pride Toronto (June 25) - Supporting the LGBTQ+ community
• North by Northeast Festival (June 13-17) - An annual music festival
• Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival (June 17-18) - Dragon boat racing and cultural event

• TD Toronto Jazz Festival (June 23-July 2) — one of the premiere jazz festivals in North America

7) July offers the best of Toronto

The tourist crowds are at their peak in July. But July is also one of the busiest and most exciting times to visit Toronto and is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. July is the hottest and most humid month in Toronto.

Key events 

• Summerlicious (July 7-23) - A summer food festival
• Toronto Fringe Festival (July 5-16) - An annual theater festival
• Beaches International Jazz Festival (July 6-30) - One of Canada's largest free jazz festivals

8) August is all about summer pleasures

The climate in August is an extension of July — and so is the fun and choice of activities. The weather is pleasantly warm, with soothing breezes and occasional rains. You may want to turn on the air-conditioning of your room to battle the humidity.

Key events 

• Caribana (August 3-7) - A festival of Caribbean culture and traditions
• Taste of the Danforth (August 18-September 4) - An annual street festival organized by Toronto's Greek community
• Dream in High Park (July 21-September 3) - 

  An outdoor theatre event, this year featuring Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream

9) Summer continues, then autumn sets in during September

The temperatures start to drop in September. It is still comfortable, and you do not need to bundle up yet. But you will notice the approach of autumn, especially in the evenings. It isn’t as busy in September and is a great time to visit if you don’t like big crowds.

Key events 

• Nuit Blanche (September 23) - An annual night-time arts festival
• Toronto Ukrainian Festival (September 15-17) - A celebration of the Ukrainian culture

10) The fall foliage delights every October

The warm hues of fall provide an aesthetic delight to Toronto's landscapes. Admire the changing colors and sceneries around you. City parks like Trinity Bellwoods Park and High Park are gorgeous in October.

Key events 

• Toronto Chocolate Festival (Starting October 1) - A month-long celebration of all things chocolate
• Toronto International Art Fair (October 26-29) - Showcasing more than 200 independent Canadian artists

11) The holiday season kicks off in November

November marks the onset of winter in Toronto. The temperatures continue to drop, giving way to the wintry holiday season.

Key events 

• The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Starting November 3) - An annual agricultural and equestrian fair
• Toronto Santa Claus Parade (The 3rd Sunday of November) - A festive parade to mark the onset of the holiday season

12) Decembers are cold and delightful

Visit Toronto in December to experience a real-life winter wonderland. Although it is cold, a sense of vibrancy fills the air and colourful lights and festive decorations add a touch of magic.

Key events 

• Distillery District Christmas Market (The last two weeks of December) - An annual Christmas shopping and dining experience
• Holiday Magic on Bloor-Yorkville (date yet to be announced) - A festival of lights and music

Final Thoughts

Any time is a good time to travel to Toronto, as each season offers unique activities, attractions, and weather. No matter when you arrive, there will always be enjoyable activities and events. So, if you are searching for the best time to visit Toronto, the correct answer primarily depends on your preferences regarding interests and weather.

Every season has its pros and cons. You are more likely to experience mild weather when you visit Toronto in the spring, especially in April and May. You can plan a trip in the spring season that includes visiting parks and tourist attractions, dining at upscale restaurants, buying souvenirs, and exploring the city's bustling streets for hidden gems.

September and October are also among the best months for visiting Toronto. Even if it may be a little chilly, the air is still comfortable enough to skip the extra thick layers. Just remember that similar to the spring, the fall could bring rain, so pack an umbrella, just in case.

The real questions are “What do you want to do when you visit Toronto?” and “What kind of weather are you most comfortable with?” Choose the best time for yourself. And if you still can’t decide, spring and fall are ideal for visiting Toronto.