Old Montreal in August

May through October gives you the full Old Montreal experience. Summer brings street festivals, outdoor dining, and the Old Port buzzing with activity. July averages 26°C (79°F) with occasional thunderstorms that clear quickly. September and October are magic. The crowds thin out, restaurant patios stay open, and maple trees turn the neighborhood into a postcard. October temperatures hover around 15°C (59°F) – perfect sweater weather. Winter transforms Old Montreal into a snow globe, but it's not for everyone. January temperatures drop to -10°C (14°F), and those cobblestones become ice rinks. But Christmas markets and fewer tourists have their appeal. Spring (April-May) can be unpredictable. One day you're in shorts, the next you're dodging slush puddles. But hotel rates drop 30-40%, and you'll have the basilica practically to yourself. Avoid the first two weeks of August if possible. That's when Quebec takes vacation, and every restaurant worth visiting closes for staff holidays.