Best time to visit · Vancouver · Canada
The best time to visit Vancouver
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Vancouver is June to September, when the weather is dry, sunny and mild, beaches and patios are busy and mountain trails are clear of snow. April and May bring cherry blossoms and lower prices but frequent showers, while December to March is wet in the city but good for skiing on the North Shore and at Whistler.
Key facts
- Best months
- June–September
- Shoulder season
- April–May and October
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 22°C (72°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 7°C (45°F))
- Rainiest month
- November (~18 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Seasons
Vancouver has a mild oceanic climate: wet, grey winters that rarely freeze in the city, and dry, sunny, moderate summers. Most rain falls from October to March, while snow covers the North Shore mountains above the city in winter.
March–May
Spring
Cherry blossoms, greening parks and mild temperatures, with frequent showers and snow lingering on higher mountain trails.
June–August
Summer
Dry, sunny and rarely hot, with long evenings; peak season for beaches, hiking and festivals, and the highest hotel prices.
September–November
Autumn
Settled and golden in September, then increasingly wet and grey from October, with autumn colour and lower prices.
December–February
Winter
Mild and very rainy at sea level, with snow on the North Shore mountains for skiing within about 30 minutes of 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 | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | 2°C | 16 | 8°C | 8.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 8°C | 2°C | 13 | 8°C | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 10°C | 4°C | 15 | 8°C | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C | 6°C | 13 | 9°C | 13.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 17°C | 9°C | 10 | 11°C | 15.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 20°C | 12°C | 9 | 13°C | 16.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 22°C | 14°C | 5 | 15°C | 15.8 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 22°C | 14°C | 5 | 15°C | 14.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 19°C | 11°C | 7 | 14°C | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 14°C | 7°C | 13 | 12°C | 10.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 9°C | 4°C | 18 | 10°C | 9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 7°C | 1°C | 17 | 9°C | 8.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Polar Bear Swim at English Bay (1 January); Dine Out Vancouver — city-wide restaurant festival (usually late January to early February) |
| February | Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown (January or February) |
| March | Cherry blossom season begins (usually late March) |
| April | Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (usually April); Vancouver Sun Run — 10 km road race (usually April) |
| May | BMO Vancouver Marathon (usually early May); Spot Prawn Festival (usually May) |
| June | Bard on the Beach — Shakespeare in tents in Vanier Park (usually June–September); Vancouver International Jazz Festival (usually late June to early July) |
| July | Canada Day at Canada Place (1 July); Celebration of Light — fireworks over English Bay (usually late July to early August); Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach (usually mid-July) |
| August | Vancouver Pride Parade (usually the BC Day weekend in early August); PNE Fair at Hastings Park (mid-August to Labour Day) |
| September | Vancouver Fringe Festival (usually September); Vancouver International Film Festival (usually late September to early October) |
| October | Thanksgiving — Canadian holiday (second Monday of October) |
| November | Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza (usually from mid-to-late November) |
| December | VanDusen Festival of Lights (usually December); Vancouver Christmas Market (usually until 24 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March and November, and the sights are quietest in January–March and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; 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 packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; 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 Vancouver?
The best time to visit Vancouver is June to September, when the weather is dry, sunny and mild, beaches and patios are busy and mountain trails are clear of snow. April and May bring cherry blossoms and lower prices but frequent showers, while December to March is wet in the city but good for skiing on the North Shore and at Whistler.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Vancouver?
Usually in January–March and November. Cool, wet and grey with short days; snow is rare in the city, but the North Shore ski hills are in full swing.
+What is the rainiest month in Vancouver?
November, with about 18 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Vancouver get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).