Month guide · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa in August
What August is really like in Ottawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wladyslaw, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
August is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 14.1 hours of daylight. Warm summer weather and festivals continue; the river beaches and canal paths are busy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Ottawa: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with July (27°C (81°F)), August is cooler; by September highs drop to around 20°C (68°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:04
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:11
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
Summer (June–August). Warm, humid days, patios, Canada Day and music festivals, with the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill; the busiest season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Capital Pride (usually August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Gatineau
Gatineau Park
A 361 km² wilderness park in the Gatineau Hills begins about 15 minutes from Parliament.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
![– Wladyslaw [Disk.]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ottawa_-_ON_-_National_Gallery_of_Canada.jpg){kind=link}
Gallery · ByWard Market and Lowertown
National Gallery of Canada
Look for the Rideau Street Chapel, a complete chapel interior rebuilt inside the gallery; it is easy to miss.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Old Hull, Gatineau
Canadian Museum of History
Douglas Cardinal's curving, wave-like building on the Gatineau riverbank holds one of Canada's most-visited museums.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Iconic
Museum · LeBreton Flats
Canadian War Museum
Allow time for the First World War gallery, which is the most powerful section, and the LeBreton Gallery of large vehicles.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 14°C and 11 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Ottawa?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Ottawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Ottawa?
It is a shoulder-season month. Warm summer weather and festivals continue; the river beaches and canal paths are busy.
+How warm is Ottawa in August?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ottawa in August?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.