The jewel of Western Canada, Vancouver is a destination like no other, with a towering skyline framed by the sparkling ocean and majestic mountains as a backdrop. Temperate weather allows the city to shine in all four seasons, with a buzzing downtown and breathtaking nature on its doorstep. No matter what type of traveler you are, you’re bound to have an adventure here. Travel at any time of year to experience Vancouver at its finest, or dive deep into the city’s best weather and popular events to plan your perfect getaway during the best time to visit Vancouver.
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The Weather in Vancouver
Compared to the rest of Canada, Vancouver experiences a somewhat mild climate. Pair that temperate weather with the towering mountains, lush green forests, and ocean surrounding Vancouver, and it becomes an ideal playground for year-round fun.
Spring (March to May)
While the weather warms up around March for most of Canada, spring can arrive a little earlier along the West Coast—you may even spot some tulips in bloom by February. By March, it’s officially cherry blossom season in the city. Expect highs of 50°F and lows of 37°F in March, which will warm to highs of 60°F and lows of 48°F in May. With such mild temperatures, the biggest, and perhaps only, drawback to spring is the unpredictable weather. Be prepared for rainy spells in April, and don’t forget to pack your rain boots and umbrella.
Despite the smattering of showers, the season is a near-perfect time to travel to Vancouver. With the arrival of spring, Vancouver’s most exciting guests begin their arrival to the waters surrounding the city: Humpback whales. Greet them on a whale-watching tour out on the Salish Sea. Attend fun events like the Cherry Blossom Festival in April. Late spring is perfect for strolling through the vibrant spring blooms at VanDusen Botanical Garden, hiking Vancouver’s North Shore, and even day-tripping to exciting spots like Victoria to explore colonial architecture and scenic gardens or Fraser Valley to frolic among tulip fields. With plenty of seasonal events and endless outdoor exploits, spring is one of the best times to visit Vancouver.
Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Outdoor Fun
Summer (June to August)
Summer is peak tourist season, and for good reason. Between unique summer events and peak warm temperatures, Vancouver in the summer brings an air of excitement to the city that’s hard to beat. June starts mild, with highs of 68°F and lows of 54°F, and summer stays relatively mild, only climbing to an average of 73°F during the day and lows of 58°F at night in mid to late summer. The warmest time of the year, July and August, is also the busiest. Visitors flock to the city to enjoy summer exploits like hitting the beaches in their swimwear or hiking the Grouse Grind for epic aerial views of the city. Summer presents opportunities for exciting animal encounters and picture-perfect sunsets.
But a summer visit wouldn’t be complete without exploring Vancouver’s culinary scene. From fresh local seafood like sockeye salmon and spot prawns to classic Chinese cuisine, including dim sum and hot pot, the city bursts with a flavor profile that’s as unique as its skyline. Add in a slew of festivals, from Bard on the Beach to the Honda Celebration of Light, and the summer offers an endless itinerary of things to do.
Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Festivals
Fall (September to November)
Autumn sees the temperatures fall and the summer crowds make their exit. This changing of seasons leaves the city feeling calmer but far from sleepy. Temperatures fall into the 60s in September and into the 50s in October and November. The cooler weather is excellent for hiking and sightseeing. As the vibrance of summer fades, classic fall foliage comes in to replace it, with vivid yellows, oranges, and reds swathing the city in color. Peak fall foliage typically arrives by mid-October. Visitors can admire the colors walking along the Seawall in Stanley Park, from high up among the trees on the Capilano Suspension Bridge, or even from up above on the Skyride up to Grouse Mountain for the best panoramic views of the fall display.
Fall is another great season for travel, so visitors can find some fantastic travel deals on flights and hotels while enjoying the mild weather and fewer crowds.
Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Travel Deals
Winter (December to February)
Far from a frozen tundra, Vancouver is a little slice of winter paradise. Yes, it still snows, but while below-freezing temperatures are the norm for most of Canada, you can expect a much milder experience in Vancouver. Highs sit around 45°F through winter, making it a fairly pleasant time to visit the city. Vancouver shines on crisp, sunny days, combining cold winter fun and warmer excursions. Escape from the city to the slopes in less than thirty minutes with a jaunt to snowboarding on Grouse, snowshoeing on Cypress Mountain, and plenty of other winter sports. Or hit the famous Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler for world-class skiing.
Stanley Park is almost as alluring in winter as in summer, and only in the winter can you catch a ride on the Stanley Park Train. And the Canyon Lights Festival sees the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the surrounding park lit up in a dazzling light show. And for warming up, travelers are spoiled for choice, from heated restaurant patios in English Bay to warm cups of coffee in Gastown and heated indoor hot spots like the Museum of Anthropology. Winter’s mild weather, few crowds, abundant travel deals, and infinite activities make it a destination jackpot for travelers who aren’t afraid of a little chill.
Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Unique Experiences
Vancouver’s Most Popular Annual Events
Never a dull moment, Vancouver is a hot spot for culture, festivals, and events. Here are the ones you won’t want to miss while you’re there.
Cherry Blossom Festival (March to April)
With over 43,000 cherry trees in the city, spring paints Vancouver pink and ushers in the Cherry Blossom Festival. The Big Picnic at David Lam Park is a fun daytime event with locals and visitors sprawling out on the park lawn to enjoy live music and picnics under the cherry blossoms. Come nighttime, the cherry blossom trees are lit up with lights for Blossoms After Dark. It’s a fun, colorful, and sweet-smelling way to welcome spring with a flourish.
Richmond Night Market (April to October)
The Richmond Night Market is held in Richmond, less than an hour from Vancouver. The market takes place every weekend and runs for over half of the year, so visitors can enjoy it in a multitude of seasons. As one of the largest open-air night markets in North America, it’s an experience that’s not to be missed when in Vancouver. Sample over 600 street food items, including Malaysian roti, Japanese dango, and fresh lobster rolls. Scout artisanal crafts at over 100 retail booths. And unleash your inner child at bouncy castles and friendly gaming competitions. It’s a rich and multicultural experience that shows off the city’s fun personality and diverse heritage.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival (June)
The largest music festival in British Columbia, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival fills the air with the sounds of blues, jazz, funk, fusion, Latin, electronica, and so much more. Held annually in June, the ten-day festival hosts over 400 concerts featuring nearly 2,000 artists from Canada and around the world. Granville Island is a hub for shows, but with a mix of free and ticketed concerts all over Vancouver, attendees can create their own perfect playlist of musical concerts.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival (June to September)
All the world may be a stage, but for the months of June to September, the stage is set at Vanier Park for the biggest professional Shakespeare festival in Western Canada. Bard on the Beach hosts productions of Shakespeare’s classic plays as well as modern productions about the Bard’s life and works. It’s a must-attend event for fans of Shakespeare and the stage.
Honda Celebration of Light (July)
Head to English Bay to enjoy a jaw-dropping, pyro-musical fireworks show. The Celebration of Light is a free event in Vancouver that features talent scouted from around the globe. Before the fireworks go down—or, in this case, up—visitors can wander English Bay, enjoying the scenic views and tasting yummy local eats before settling in for the show.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July)
A celebration of Canadian culture, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is one of the city’s best musical events. Taking place in July, the festival spans two days with over 70 hours of traditional, contemporary folk, and roots music from around the world. Thousands flock to Jericho Beach Park to enjoy the music, sunshine, and tradition of this iconic festival.
Vancouver International Film Festival (September to October)
While not as acclaimed as its cousin event, TIFF, the Vancouver International Film Festival is still one of the largest film fests on the continent. Attendees can choose between hundreds of feature films and shorts to watch and be some of the first to see these films debut. Behind the screens, movie buffs can dive into more detail, discovering what it took to create these movies and more, with talks, workshops, and other fun, special events related to cinema. Whether you count yourself as a movie connoisseur or just someone looking for something fun to do, the Vancouver International Film Festival is the place to be.
Know the Best Time to Go
Vancouver’s laid-back and easy-going attitude makes it a year-round staple. But nothing beats finding the perfect time to go. From the ideal weather for hiking and winter sports to the perfect time to dive into Vancouver’s food scene, here are all the best times to visit Vancouver, Canada.
The Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Lower Prices & Fewer Crowds
Summer sees a trifecta of hot temperatures, mass crowds, and high prices hit the city. Tourists flock to Vancouver to take advantage of the good weather and festivals, and docking cruise ships help to drive up hotel rates. So, if you’re looking for when to go to bypass the crowds and score a great deal, summer is best avoided. Instead, set your sights on the shoulder and low seasons.
September to May is the best time to visit Vancouver. The transitional weather of spring and fall is mild, and the lack of crowds makes them perfect for exploring the city and surrounding area. The shoulder seasons are also great for scoring deals on airfare and hotels. But for the best deals, plan a trip during winter. Vancouver promises gentle weather, low travel costs, and plenty of fun winter sports for the perfect low-season getaway.
The Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Good Weather
Vancouver’s mild climate makes it a hit every season, but for the best weather, it’s not even a question. Summer sees warm temperatures, sunny skies, and long days that make it ideal for hitting the beaches to swim and soak up the sun, heading out on the water to paddleboard and kayak or on whale-watching tours, or enjoying what’s to offer on land, from biking along the Seawall to hiking Mount Grouse. Best of all, Vancouver’s summers often extend beyond the normal summer months to provide the city with summer weather from May to as late as October.
The Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Foodies
Foodies hoping to discover the best time to visit the city for that one perfect bite are in luck because anytime is a great time to take a bite of the city. Vancouver’s Michelin Guide highlights over 70 restaurants boasting world-class flavors, but the city has so much more on offer, from the varied tastes of the Richmond Night Market to al fresco dining on Granville Island. For seafood lovers, May to September promises the best of the seafood season, with salmon, halibut, spot prawn, and more. But you can find great food every season and enjoy a mix of the city’s cultural culinary delights, from top-tier Asian cuisine to Canadian favorites like poutine.
The Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Winter Sports
There’s no better time to hit the slopes in Vancouver than winter. From late December to March, the snowing mounts of Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and Mt. Seymour promise plenty of fresh powder and epic views of the Vancouver skyline. Diehard skiers and snowboarders can stick close to the city to enjoy the day and night skiing or take a trip up north along the Sea to Sky Highway to enjoy the largest ski resort in North America, Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort.
The Best Time to Visit Vancouver for Indigenous Events & Experiences
Though travelers can explore Vancouver’s Indigenous history at any time throughout the year, summer is indisputably the perfect time to explore the city’s rich Indigenous culture. Summer kayak tours with Takaya take visitors on a journey through protected waters inside a traditional canoe, listening to stories of legends and learning about ancient historical sites. Talaysay puts on cultural tours, from art walks exploring Indigenous art in all its forms to nature walks exploring how Indigenous peoples used the land for food and medicine. September sees the annual stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow take place, a three-day event celebrating Indigenous culture through dance, music, and art that’s open to all.
