Best Time To Visit Vancouver, Canada [2024]
Updated: April 29, 2024
AAA Travel Editor, SMT
In 2022, nearly 9 million people visited the beautiful city of Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver is the home to many popular attractions and plenty of things to do in and around the area.
To ensure you have the best experience possible, you’ll want to plan your trip around the best time to visit Vancouver. Although the city is an ideal destination throughout the year, some seasons are better than others.
Keep reading to learn more about the best time to visit Vancouver as well as what you can expect during different times of the year. We discuss what the seasons are like in Vancouver, plus go over the best times of year to visit if you’re looking to save money or want to tickle your taste buds with delicious food.
Best Season To Visit Vancouver for Great Weather
The best time to visit Vancouver, Canada, is during the summer months of June, July, and August, according to the locals who say it’s the best time of year. During the summer months, the weather is a bit warmer, so there’s more to do. Although this may be the best time of year for weather and activities, it’s helpful to note that it’s busier and more expensive.
Throughout the year, Vancouver is a great city to visit. There are great locations, like Stanley Park, as well as events all year long. There are even awesome things to do in Vancouver without a car. Some of the attractions in the area are dependent on the season, so let’s discuss the best time to go to Vancouver.
Summer: June - August
The summers in the city are nice and cool. The Vancouver weather in July reaches highs of about 66.7 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s the sunniest month of the year. When visiting, many people head out to English Bay to go swimming.
If you love the outdoors, the perfect trip to Vancouver in the summer can include visiting some of the many hiking trails in the nearby mountains. This is one of the busiest times of the year, so it may be more expensive.
Annual events during this time:
- TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
- Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival
- Vancouver Folk Music Festival
- Bard on the Beach
Spring: March - May
The weather in Vancouver in March, April and May ranges from lows of about 39 degrees Fahrenheit to 58.3 degrees. While the city is still a little chilly as it transitions from the winter to the spring, this is the time of the year when the city really starts to bloom. During this time of year, you can go kayaking or simply spend your time in the city with the colorful foliage.
From March through October, thousands of whales migrate through the area, so you may be able to see some during your trip.
Annual events during this time:
- Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF)
- Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
- Vancouver Sun Run
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Fall: September - November
If you don’t want to deal with the large summer crowds in the summer, the fall is a great time to visit Vancouver. It’s far less busy, and the temperatures aren’t too cold. Throughout the city, the leaves turn gorgeous reds and oranges, and it’s a great time to visit Kitsilano Beach and Point Grey. This is also a wonderful time of year to take a stroll through Stanley Park.
Annual events during this time:
Winter: December - February
If you like the cold weather or winter sports, there’s plenty to do in Vancouver during the winter months.
During this time of year, the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, and these are great places to visit if you love skiing or snowboarding. Vancouver isn’t too sunny during these months, and it can get quite a bit of rainfall. January is the wettest month, with an average of 19 days of rain.
Annual events during this time:
When To Get the Lowest Prices While Visiting Vancouver
The best time to visit Vancouver to get the lowest prices is between September and May. By September, hotel prices start to drop from the summer months, but the least expensive time is between December and February.
The busiest time of the year for the city is during the summer months, so any month before or after will be far less expensive. While it’s a little chillier outside of the summer months, there are still plenty of things to see in Vancouver.
The city has a lot of great parks, hiking trails and mountains that are gorgeous during the spring, fall and winter. There are also some great events throughout the year and various things to do within the city.
When To Visit Vancouver if You’re a Foodie
If you’re a foodie, Vancouver is a great city to visit because it has great food throughout the year as well as food and wine festivals. The Dine Out Vancouver Festival is one of the cities largest food festivals, and it takes place in late January.
During the spring, you can attend the Vancouver International Wine Festival, which hosts over 100 wineries worldwide. Vancouver also has dozens of incredible restaurants with AAA Diamond designations and many craft breweries.
Book Your Vancouver Trip Through AAA
Traveling to Vancouver any time during the year is sure to be a great vacation, whether you’re traveling alone, with your partner or with your whole family.
When booking your trip as an AAA member, you can enjoy your trip while also getting discounts and other benefits. AAA travel services can also help you with finding the best deals on flights and hotels and provide you with travel tips too.