Montréal · Month comparison

March vs July

July ranks #1 overall vs March at #10. The best month — Jazz Fest, Canada Day, Just for Laughs and Osheaga all in one extraordinary month

Montreal in early spring with melting snow and grey skies

March

#10 of 12 months

Worth considering

The long thaw — maple syrup season in the Laurentians and the city beginning to wake up

  • Maple syrup season (érablières) from mid-March — sugar shack experiences within 45 minutes of the city
  • Snow melting but cold still manageable; shoulder rates throughout
Montreal Old Port in summer with festivals and city skyline

July

#1 of 12 months

Best match

The best month — Jazz Fest, Canada Day, Just for Laughs and Osheaga all in one extraordinary month

  • Osheaga Music Festival (Île Sainte-Hélène) — one of North America's premier outdoor music events
  • Canada Day (July 1) celebrations in Old Montreal and across the city
FactorMarchJuly
Weather score
4
8
Value score
7
4
Crowd score
3
8
Events score
4
9
Atmosphere
5
9
Avg high temp2°C27°C
Monthly rain68mm91mm
Daily sunshine6hrs10hrs

March trade-offs

  • The ugliest month visually — dirty snow, mud and pre-spring grey; temperatures still -5 to +5°C
  • Not yet warm enough for any outdoor café culture

July trade-offs

  • Peak accommodation prices and crowds; Montreal receives massive visitor numbers in July
  • Booking Jazz Fest hotel accommodation months ahead is essential
Scores compare months within Montréal. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →