Best Time to Visit Toronto
Explore the city’s most unique attractions at their peak. Here’s a by-the-season look at what to enjoy and when.
A city for all seasons—any time of the year is the best time to visit Toronto. From global cuisines at Toronto restaurants and headliner events and festivals to urban Canadian adventures, there’s a quintessential Toronto experience for every season.
Use the curated seasonal guides to start planning your trip to Toronto.
Top things to do in the spring in Toronto
Spring is the best time to visit Toronto to beat the crowds and breathe in the excitement—rain or shine.
- High Park’s famous cherry blossoms are in peak bloom for about one week, but the best time of year to visit Toronto for cherry blossoms is late April to early May
- Beat the summertime crowds at the Scarborough Bluffs by visiting in the spring
- Kick off baseball season at the Toronto Blue Jays’ home opener. Other pro teams returning to the field in spring include the Toronto Wolfpack (RLFC rugby), TFC (MLS soccer) and Toronto Argonauts (CFL football)
- Hit Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival for a thought-provoking lineup of over 200 docs—it’s North America’s largest documentary fest
Top things to do in the summer in Toronto
Summer is the best time of year to visit Toronto if you like to stay out late—as patio, beach and festival fever heat up the city.
- Jump up at Toronto Caribbean Carnival—four weeks of music, cuisine and revelry leading up to a blowout grand parade
- Church-Wellesley Village (aka “The Village”) is the place to be during Toronto Pride. The month-long celebration is a lead-up to Festival Weekend, with its blowout Pride Parade, Drag Ball and Family Pride events, plus the politically engaged Dyke March, Trans March and Blockorama, an all-day music event curated by the Blackness Yes! collective of artists and activists from the Black queer and trans communities
- Close out summer like a local at the Canadian National Exhibition (aka CNE or The Ex), a fairground tradition that culminates with Labour Day weekend’s Canadian International Air Show
Top things to do in the fall in Toronto
Fall is the best time to visit Toronto if you’re into hot tickets and glam—autumn is go-time as the city rolls out the red carpets.
- Catch a screening at the celeb-studded Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where early buzz indicates future Oscar contenders
- Oktoberfest starts early (mid-to-late September!) at Toronto Oktoberfest and Canada’s Wonderland
- Cheer on the 2019 NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors, as they kick off their home opener
- Feel all the chills at Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror, where you’ll walk the shadowy corridors, and exterior grounds of the castle as character actors and terrifying sets provide a spooky upgrade to the typical fright night experience
Top things to do in the Winter in Toronto
This is the best time to visit Toronto (or Canada) if you don’t let frosty temps cramp your style and enjoy magical twinkly nights out. Winter’s longer nights mean brighter lights in Toronto.
- Glide across the City Hall rink at Nathan Phillips Square or freestyle along ice trails at neighbourhood rinks like Evergreen Brick Works, College Park, and The Bentway
- Nibble your way through Toronto at more than 200 restaurants during the Winterlicious prix-fixe food festival, which typically runs from late January to early February
- Shop for that special someone or marvel at the lights, artisan crafts and sweet seasonal treats on offer at the Distillery Historic District’s magical Distillery Winter Village
- Celebrate Lunar New Year in one of Toronto’s multiple Chinatowns. Enjoy performances at downtown’s Dragon City Mall, then fill up on dim sum on Spadina Avenue. Or catch a streetcar to East Chinatown’s Gerrard Street East, or head north to Markham, home to a booming Chinese expat community and excellent food options
