Bright, balmy, and beautiful: Experience summer in Canada

Canada is a sprawling, stunning country, and it really comes into its own in summer. Whether you’ve chosen to study at the coastal haven of St. Mary’s University in Nova Scotia or the southern tip of Vancouver Island at University of Victoria, there’s plenty to be excited about as the warmer months roll around and another academic year draws to a close.

There’s no one-size-fits-all for summer across Canada. Naturally. It is a massive body of land with diverse climates and unique ecosystems. That said, the summer months of June to August are warmest in southern Canada — Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia — when temperatures range from the 70s to 90s Fahrenheit.. Fortunately, this is where most universities are. The days are long with often low humidity, making the heat more bearable and your choice of activities broader. And golden hour is something to behold.

Enough about the weather! Here’s what we think is so special about Canada in the summertime?

Natural Beauty

Canada has some extraordinary terrains: the Rockies, Niagara Falls (not too far from University of Toronto), the Canadian Shield, and Banff National Park (a great long weekend trip from University of Calgary). Across the board, you’re looking at lush greenery, sparking lakes, and vibrant flowers, all with the backdrop of crisp blue skies.

Then you have the wildlife, think bears, moose, and whales, and all are more active in the summer. It’s a good time to go wildlife watching. Canada is famous for its hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, and the like. In summer, the warm weather and longer days make it prime time to explore the great outdoors.

Festivals and Events

Canada is packed with fun summer festivals: the Calgary Stampede (hello, rodeo competitions!), Montreal Jazz Festival, Canadian National Exhibition, Whistler Crankworx (a niche mountain biking festival), Canadian Tulip Festival, and Ottawa Bluesfest. The list goes on. These events showcase Canadian culture and provide truly memorable experiences for you as you take a break from your studies.

You may also choose to attend a Powwow — a celebration of Indigenous cultures and traditions, featuring dancing, drumming, and singing. These events are held throughout the summer in different regions of Canada and are a great way for you to learn about Indigenous cultures and traditions.

And across the board the people are super friendly, so you’ll feel right at home wherever you choose to study in Canada, thriving in the sunshine.