Québec City has four distinct seasons, each with something to offer. Summer and autumn are the most popular times to visit; winter is dramatic and has its own appeal.
Summer (June–August): Warm days, cool nights, and the city at its most alive. Temperatures reach the mid-20s°C; July is the warmest month. The Old City fills up with street performers, café terrasses and tourists. The Québec City Summer Festival (Festival d'été) in early July is one of the largest outdoor music festivals in North America. Book accommodation well ahead.
Autumn (September–October): Excellent. Temperatures are pleasant, crowds thin out after Labour Day, and the foliage in the surrounding countryside is spectacular from mid-September. A two-to-three-week "Indian Summer" typically arrives somewhere between mid-September and mid-October.
Winter (November–March): Cold and snowy — temperatures regularly drop below -20°C with wind chill, and the city receives around 340cm of snow per year. But Québec City is worth visiting in winter. The Quebec Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Québec) in early February is the largest winter carnival in the world, with ice sculptures, dog sledding, canoe racing on the icy St. Lawrence and the famous ice palace. The ski areas at Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham are excellent. The Hôtel de Glace opens in January.
Spring (April–May): Cold and grey, with snowfall possible through April. Not the best time to visit, but a good time for low prices. Things pick up noticeably in May.