Best time to visit · Ottawa · Canada
The best time to visit Ottawa
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Ottawa are late May to June and September to early October, when the weather is mild, tulips or autumn leaves are out and summer crowds are lighter. July and August are warm and lively but busiest. February is the time for Winterlude and canal skating, provided you dress for temperatures well below freezing.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- February and July–August
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 27°C (81°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high -6°C (21°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- March–April and November–January
Seasons
Ottawa has a humid continental climate with one of the coldest winters of any national capital: long, snowy winters often below −10°C, and warm, humid summers. Spring and autumn are short but pleasant, with tulips in May and bright foliage in early October.
March–May
Spring
Snowmelt and slush in March and April give way to the Tulip Festival in May, one of the prettiest times in the city.
June–August
Summer
Warm, humid days, patios, Canada Day and music festivals, with the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill; the busiest season.
September–November
Autumn
Bright fall colour in Gatineau Park from late September, comfortable sightseeing weather and lower prices; grey and cold by November.
December–February
Winter
Long, snowy and very cold, but with canal skating, Winterlude and cross-country skiing minutes from downtown.
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 | -6°C | -15°C | 12 | 9.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | -4°C | -13°C | 10 | 10.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 2°C | -7°C | 11 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 11°C | 1°C | 12 | 13.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 19°C | 8°C | 13 | 14.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 24°C | 13°C | 12 | 15.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 27°C | 16°C | 11 | 15.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 25°C | 14°C | 11 | 14.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 20°C | 10°C | 12 | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 13°C | 3°C | 12 | 10.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 5°C | -2°C | 12 | 9.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | -3°C | -10°C | 13 | 8.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Rideau Canal Skateway season usually begins (January, ice permitting) |
| February | Winterlude — winter festival in Ottawa and Gatineau (usually the first three weekends of February) |
| March | Sugar-shack season around Ottawa and in Quebec (usually March–April) |
| May | Canadian Tulip Festival (usually mid-May); Ottawa Race Weekend — marathon and shorter races (usually late May) |
| June | Ottawa Jazz Festival (usually late June); Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill begins (usually late June) |
| July | Canada Day celebrations (1 July); Ottawa Bluesfest (usually July) |
| August | Capital Pride (usually August) |
| October | Thanksgiving weekend, when Gatineau Park is at its busiest for leaf-viewing (second Monday of October) |
| November | Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial (11 November) |
| December | Holiday lights along Confederation Boulevard (usually December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in March–April and November–January, and the sights are quietest in March–April and November–January.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; 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 | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Ottawa?
The best times to visit Ottawa are late May to June and September to early October, when the weather is mild, tulips or autumn leaves are out and summer crowds are lighter. July and August are warm and lively but busiest. February is the time for Winterlude and canal skating, provided you dress for temperatures well below freezing.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Ottawa?
Usually in March–April and November–January. Very cold, with snow on the ground and wind chill well below −20°C on some days. The canal skateway usually opens in January if it is cold enough.
+What is the rainiest month in Ottawa?
May, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Ottawa get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 16°C (61°F).