Pack your bags for an incredible time in Canada this summer. Whether you prefer to spend your time surrounded by natural wonders or soaking up local culture and eating your way across each province, you will have an incredible time. Plan your trip with confidence with these helpful tips for summering in the Great White North.
A popular summer destination
For many travelers, summer is the best time to visit Canada. The incredible weather, coupled with the wealth of things to do make it a popular destination for travelers. Summer in Canada falls during June, July, and August, though good weather may start as early as April and continue through September. Temperatures can range from about 16C to nearly 30C, so pack appropriately for the region you’ll be traveling within.
Because summer is the peak travel season in Canada, it’s a good idea to book your itinerary well in advance. Major cities and national parks become more crowded, and inexpensive accommodations may be more difficult to find during the summer. If there’s a park, restaurant, or museum that you’d really like to visit, make reservations as soon as possible to make sure you don’t experience any FOMO on your trip!
Summer festivals and holidays in Canada
One of the most incredible ways to experience the rich culture of Canada is to attend one of its many summer festivals. Whether your preference is music, food, comedy, or circus arts, there’s bound to be an event that piques your interest.
- Quebec City Summer Festival (FEQ). The Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ) is an 11-day-long festival of music from around the globe. Over 300 outdoor performances take place and feature every genre from classical to punk.
- Calgary Stampede. This may be one of the most widely known Canadian festivals and is a tribute to Canada’s frontier settlers and agricultural traditions. The chuckwagon races are a thrill to watch.
- Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival. Located in western Canada, Vancouver is an incredibly diverse metropolis, and the Dragon Boat Festival promotes community outreach and appreciation for Chinese culture.
- Canada Day, On 1 July, the entire country celebrates the union of the four Canadian counties. Canada Day is considered the country’s birthday and is commonly marked with parades, fireworks, and local festivals.
- Halifax International Busker Festival. Each year, on the waterfronts of Nova Scotia, street performers from around the world gather to present their craft. Expect comedy, acrobatics, singing, dancing and more.
Wild, natural beauty
While Canada is a fun winter destination, exploring the great outdoors in the summer is easier. Rent a car and drive the rugged Cabot Trail or hike the Skyline Trail that overlooks the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. If you’re still on the eastern side of the country, spend some time on Prince Edward Island – the historic lighthouses and red sand beaches set an incredible scene, and the fresh seafood can’t be beaten!
Drive along the Alaskan Highway, aka the ALCAN Highway, and experience the wilderness of British Columbia and the Yukon territories. You’ll see enormous mountains, hot springs, ice fields, and more on your drive north. For other wildlife opportunities, head to Tofino in British Columbia for whale watching and bear watching boat tours. The Canadian Badlands in Alberta is the site of numerous paleontology digs and dinosaur discoveries if you prefer your wildlife to be less mobile.
Cosmopolitan cities and off-the-beaten path charm
Exploring a new city on a beautiful day can be relaxing and invigorating. Walk the streets of Quebec City and take in its walled Old Town, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canada French capital boasts European charm in its food, architecture, and cobbled streets. Another city with a French background is Montreal, which boasts art, culture, and fine dining in a beautiful downtown setting. Head to Toronto for sports, food festivals, concerts and more. Take in the sights of Niagara Parks before heading to dinner downtown for an experience that’s urban and wild at the same time.
While Canada’s larger cities are truly incredible, it’s smaller towns are charming and brimming with local culture and you’ll have a more uniquely Canadian experience in one of these smaller communities. About an hour from Quebec City, you’ll find Baie-Saint-Paul, which is home to an incredible community of artists and creatives. For a more remote vacation, take a train to Churchill in Manitoba, where the remote, northern location lends itself to viewings of polar bears and the northern lights.
While Canada is an incredible place to visit at any time of year, it really shines during the summer, making it the perfect place to vacation. If you’re planning to summer in the Great White North but typically send a remittance to family overseas, having a financial partner in Western Union makes it easy to send money online. Support and connect with your relatives, no matter where they are by using our website or downloading Western Union’s mobile app.
