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
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
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
[ Read: Best Places to visit in Toronto for Free ]
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
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
[ Read: Summer Activities in Toronto ]
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