Amritsar has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The ideal visiting window is October to March, when temperatures are comfortable and the city is at its most pleasant.
October to November is the best time: post-monsoon clarity, mild temperatures (20–28°C), and the Diwali festival in October or November, which sees the Golden Temple illuminated in spectacular fashion — one of the finest sights in India.
December to February is cool to cold (5–15°C at night, sometimes touching freezing). The city is busy with domestic pilgrims during this period, and the Wagah Border ceremony continues year-round regardless of temperature.
March to April warms up quickly and is pleasant. The harvest festival of Baisakhi is celebrated in April with particular intensity in Amritsar — it was during Baisakhi on 13 April 1919 that the Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred.
May to August is hot (35–45°C in summer) and humid during the monsoon from July to September. Manageable but not comfortable. The monsoon usually brings green countryside and frequent rain to the city itself.