Canada in June: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Canada in June
Photo:  Trip Savvy / Ashley Nicole de Leon 

Warming weather and fewer crowds make late spring and early summer a great time to visit Canada as the long days start to get warmer in June. Outdoor lovers especially enjoy Canada at this time of the year and the country offers some of the best hiking, boating, camping, and fishing destinations. In warmer destinations, music and arts festivals start to take place outdoors.

The weather varies significantly across the country though, and June in Vancouver does not look the same as June in Montreal. West Coast weather, such as in Vancouver, tends to be milder than what you find in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Halifax, and other eastern destinations. June begins a time of easier access to Canada's northern territories: the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Canada Weather in June

The weather is warming and since you are beating the summer rush, there are smaller crowds and you can often find lower prices on accommodations and activities. 

Average June temperatures (low/high) for selected cities across Canada will give you an idea of the averages as well as the diversity of climates:

  • Vancouver, BC: 52 / 66 Fahrenheit (11 / 19 Celsius)
  • Edmonton, AB: 45 / 70 Fahrenheit (7 / 21 Celsius)
  • Yellowknife, NWT: 46 / 64 Fahrenheit (8 / 18 Celsius)
  • Inukjuak, NU: 32 / 46 Fahrenheit (0 / 8 Celsius)
  • Winnipeg, MB: 50 / 73 Fahrenheit  (10 / 23 Celsius)
  • Ottawa, ON: 54 / 75 Fahrenheit (12 / 24 Celsius)
  • Toronto, ON: 52 / 75 Fahrenheit (11 / 24 Celsius)
  • Montréal:, QC: 55 / 73 Fahrenheit(13 / 23 Celsius)
  • Halifax, NS: 48 / 68 Fahrenheit (9 / 20 Celsius)
  • St. John's, NF: 43 / 61 Fahrenheit (6 / 16 Celsius)

Rainfall varies with an average of 3.7 inches in Calgary spread over 14 days, 3.7 inches in Edmonton, and 4.4 inches in Halifax. Snow is unusual except at high elevations or in very northern provinces.

What to Pack

Pack for layering. While milder climates may offer warm weather during the day, it gets colder at night and a jacket or wrap is necessary. It may rain so bring a waterproof outer layer and umbrella. You won't need your winter coat except in the Northern Territories. 

If you are taking advantage of outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, or fishing, pack your usual gear. For sightseeing, sturdy walking shoes are ideal. You'll probably be walking down some cobblestone streets in historic areas as well along dirt paths in beautiful parks and gardens. As far as evening wear, the larger, east coast cities will be more dressy than Victoria, British Columbia, for example. And in rural areas, comfort is the norm rather than style.

Black flies, deer flies, and horse flies proliferate throughout central Canada, mostly in forested areas. They bite and can make life quite miserable. Bring repellent, light clothing to provide maximum coverage, and a hat.

June Events in Canada

Events include theater, music, and food festivals, many of which have been running annually for years. In addition to these iconic festivals, you can take in a colorful Pride parade in Toronto or sip wine in a vineyard in Niagra.

  • Gros Morne Theatre Festival: The 16-week summer repertory season begins in May and extends to September with two performances nightly in the community of Cow Head.
  • The Niagara Homegrown Wine Festival kicks off summer with a tailgate party of 30 Niagara wineries in the vineyard at 13th Street Winery. The night features VQA wines and farm-to-table cuisine. The series of events include food, wine, and entertainment.
  • Banff Summer Arts Festival: Music, film, theater, and dance performances take place from May through August in Banff, Alberta. During the celebration, there will be a full range of performing, visual and literary arts. For music lovers, there are jazz, symphony, and chamber music performances.
  • The Charlottetown Festival: This large celebration of Canadian performing arts, including the long-running "Anne of Green Gables – The Musical," takes place in Prince Edward Island's capital city from mid-June to the end of September.
  • The Stratford Festival: This repertory theater festival focuses on the works of William Shakespeare from May to October in Stratford, Ontario.
  • The Shaw Festival: One of the largest repertory companies in North America stages productions by Shaw and his contemporaries from April to November in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
  • The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal: This annual event at the end of June attracts jazz enthusiasts from around the globe with hundreds of concerts during the week and a half run. The Montreal Jazz Fest holds the 2004 Guinness World Record as the world's largest jazz festival.
  • Pride events take place across Canada, usually in June. One of the largest Pride celebrations in the world, Toronto Pride draws over 1 million people. The events include a special Family Pride program, Trans Pride, the Dyke March, and the famous and fabulous Pride Parade. 
  • National Indigenous Peoples Day features events celebrating First Nation’s culture and take place throughout the Vancouver, B.C. region on June 21. Usually, the famous Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art in downtown Vancouver offers free entry.
  • London, Ontario hosts an International Food and Craft Beer Festival in Victoria Park. Enjoy hundreds of food choices along with local craft beer. 
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