Best Time to Visit Calgary

When deciding on the best time to visit Calgary, I recommend planning your trip based on the season and what types of activities you’d be interested in experiencing.

Calgary experiences all 4 seasons and so the type of activities that are available in the city will differ significantly. Summer in Calgary is vibrant with music festivals, the fall brings milder weather with beautiful autumn foliage, and winter is known for the snow and ice sports.

Here is what you can expect during each season to help you find the best time to visit Calgary.

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Fall (September to October)

September is one of the best times to visit Calgary. The weather is still warm and the days are bright and sunny. The landscape completely transforms into a gorgeous orange and red hue, making it one of the prettiest times to visit the city.

Expect to be greeted by a crisp, cooler air later into the season, with October often bringing in the first snowfall. Make sure to bring layers, as the early mornings and later evenings can get a bit cooler. You can definitely expect snow in November, as this is often when ski season starts in Alberta.

Things to do Calgary in the Fall:

1. Visit the Harvest Market at the Saskatoon Farm
2. Walk around Prince’s Island Park see the beautiful autumn leaves
3. Cozy up with a coffee in Kensington, a locals favourite for best cafes
4. Don’t miss a walk down Stephen Avenue, one of Calgary’s most iconic and vibrant streets

Winter (November to March)

What sets Calgary apart is its’ vibrant energy throughout the winter season, as the cold temperatures don’t really stop locals from enjoying outdoor activities. You can expect temperatures to be anywhere between a mild +4 degrees C to a frigid -30 degrees C.

The key to visiting Calgary in the winter is to be prepared with lots of layers. Calgary is located in a unique region of Canada where the warm Chinook winds from the mountains can warm up the city drastically. It could be -30 degrees Celsius one moment, then if a Chinook wind comes along, you may find yourself too warm in your winter parka.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like the cold, you probably should reconsider travelling to Calgary between November to March, as the Canadian winters can be quite harsh. However, winter is the best time to visit Calgary if you love all things ice and snow, as some of the most fun winter activities are held here.

If you enjoy ice skating, skiing and snowboarding, this would be the season for you. I’d recommend spending about 1-2 days in Calgary during this time and then spend the rest of your visit in the Rocky Mountains.

You may also like: Your guide to the perfect winter in Banff

Things to do Calgary in the Winter:

1. Indulge in the best hot cocoa with YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
2. Visit a Christmas Market
3. Snowboard, ski or tube down the winter hill at WinSport
4. Embark on a magical evening at the Zoo Lights

Looking for more reasons to visit Calgary in the winter? Here are 35 Things To Do this Winter in Calgary

Spring (April to May)

Spring is a bit of a transition period, where the weather can still be a bit unpredictable with either snow, hail or rain. Since Calgary will be shifting from winter to spring, the streets are often a bit wet and slushy. When you’re in the mountains, you can expect that the ski slopes are still open, lasting even up until April. The weather is a lot milder in spring, so it makes spring skiing or snowboarding quite enjoyable.

In terms of weather and scenery, April in Calgary is not as pretty as the other seasons. However, late May is lovely, as the pretty lilacs that bloom throughout the city give beautiful photo opportunities. Just be prepared for an increased chance of rain during this season.

Things to do Calgary in the Spring:

1. Visit the unique shops of Inglewood 
2. Immerse yourself with the modern art exhibitions at the Contemporary Calgary
3. Spend a day exploring the collective market and get to know Calgary’s local artisans
4. Get dressed up for High Tea at Deane House for a sophisticated and elegant afternoon tea

Summer (June to August)

Summer is one of the best times to visit Calgary. As the sun meets Calgary with its’ radiant warmth, you will get the best golden hour sunrise and sunset skies this season. Calgary is known to have the most sunny days in Canada, so that along with the longer daylight hours make for a great visit. In June, there’s still some daylight even at 10:30 pm!

Some of the best months to visit Calgary are between June to September, as the city is alive with music festivals and outdoor night markets.

Things to do Calgary in the Summer:

1. Float along the stunning Bow River in a raft rental
2. Hit up the Inglewood summer night market
3. Visit the Calgary Stampede the world’s largest outdoor rodeo
4. Go Downhill Karting at the Calgary Olympic Park

Looking for more reasons to visit Calgary in the summer? Here are 50 Things to Do this Summer in Calgary

Still Planning? Explore More Calgary Guides