Best time to visit · Calgary · Canada
The best time to visit Calgary
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tyson2k at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
The best time to visit Calgary is June to September, when parks and river pathways are green and the mountains are open for hiking; July brings the Stampede but also peak prices. September is often the best balance of settled weather, autumn colour and lower rates. Winter suits skiers using Calgary as a gateway to Banff and Kananaskis.
Key facts
- Best months
- June–September
- Shoulder season
- May, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 23°C (73°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high -1°C (30°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~14 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January and November
Seasons
Calgary has a dry, sunny continental climate at about 1,050 metres above sea level. Winters are cold but broken by chinook winds that bring sudden mild spells; summers are warm with cool nights, and June is the wettest month with frequent thunderstorms.
March–May
Spring
Unpredictable, with warm spells and late snowfalls; mountain skiing continues into spring while the city slowly greens.
June–August
Summer
Long, sunny days, festivals and the Stampede; June thunderstorms, and possible wildfire smoke in August.
September–November
Autumn
Crisp, dry September days and golden larches in the Rockies, cooling quickly towards November.
December–February
Winter
Cold and sunny with chinook thaws; a base for ski trips to Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C | -13°C | 7 | 8.4 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 0°C | -12°C | 6 | 9.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 4°C | -8°C | 8 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 11°C | -2°C | 8 | 13.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 16°C | 3°C | 10 | 15.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 20°C | 8°C | 14 | 16.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 23°C | 10°C | 11 | 16.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 23°C | 9°C | 9 | 14.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 18°C | 4°C | 8 | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 12°C | -1°C | 6 | 10.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 4°C | -8°C | 7 | 8.8 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| December | 0°C | -12°C | 6 | 7.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Chinook Blast — winter festival with light installations downtown (usually February) |
| April | Calgary Expo — comic and entertainment convention (usually late April) |
| June | Lilac Festival — street festival on 4th Street SW (usually early June) |
| July | Calgary Stampede (ten days, usually early-to-mid July); Calgary Folk Music Festival on Prince's Island (usually late July) |
| August | GlobalFest — international fireworks festival (usually mid-to-late August) |
| September | Calgary International Film Festival (usually late September) |
| December | Zoolights at the Calgary Zoo (usually late November to early January) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January and November, and the sights are quietest in January and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Calgary?
The best time to visit Calgary is June to September, when parks and river pathways are green and the mountains are open for hiking; July brings the Stampede but also peak prices. September is often the best balance of settled weather, autumn colour and lower rates. Winter suits skiers using Calgary as a gateway to Banff and Kananaskis.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Calgary?
Usually in January and November. Cold, sunny days interrupted by chinooks that can push temperatures above freezing; deep cold snaps are also possible.
+What is the rainiest month in Calgary?
June, with about 14 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Calgary get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 23°C (73°F) and lows of 10°C (50°F).