Quebec City in August

August weather, activities, events & insider tips

August Weather in Quebec City

24°C (75°F) High Temp

13°C (55°F) Low Temp

109 mm (4.3 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Festival de l'été runs through early August - 11 days of free outdoor concerts with 300+ shows across 10 stages, making it North America's largest French-language music festival
Terrace season peaks in August - every restaurant opens their outdoor seating, and locals dine al fresco until 10pm with daylight lasting until 8:30pm
Saint-Jean-Baptiste district comes alive with block parties and street festivals - locals celebrate the warmest weeks with impromptu gatherings and extended happy hours
Plains of Abraham becomes an outdoor living room - families picnic daily, street performers work the crowds, and the Martello Towers offer free historical programming every afternoon

Considerations

Tourist crowds peak the first two weeks of August due to festival overlap - expect 20-30 minute waits at funicular and this destination viewpoints between 11am-4pm
Afternoon thunderstorms arrive quickly - 60% of days see 20-30 minute downpours between 2-5pm that can drench you if caught on the ramparts or Plains of Abraham
Hotel prices surge 40-60% during Festival de l'été (first 11 days) compared to late August, with many properties requiring 3-night minimums

Best Activities in August

Old Quebec Walking Tours and Ramparts Exploration

August's extended daylight (sunrise 5:45am, sunset 8:15pm) gives you maximum time to explore the fortified walls. Morning tours at 9am avoid afternoon crowds and thunderstorms. The stone walls provide natural cooling, and UNESCO World Heritage sites are less crowded before 11am. Cobblestones dry quickly after rain showers.

Booking Tip: Book walking tours 5-7 days ahead through certified guides - prices range $25-45 CAD per person. Morning slots (9-11am) offer better weather and smaller groups. Look for guides certified by Quebec City Tourism.

Saint Lawrence River Cruise Tours

August water temperatures reach 18-20°C (64-68°F) - the warmest of the year. Afternoon river breezes provide relief from 70% humidity, and you'll avoid thunderstorms while on water. Whale watching season peaks as belugas feed in warmer waters. Evening cruises offer spectacular sunset views over this destination.

Booking Tip: River cruises typically cost $35-75 CAD depending on duration. Book 10-14 days ahead for sunset tours which sell out quickly in August. Look for operators with covered seating areas for brief rain showers.

Montmorency Falls Adventure Activities

August's dry conditions make the suspension bridge and via ferrata safest - winter ice formations are completely melted, revealing the full 83m (272 ft) drop. Ziplines operate at capacity with minimal wind delays. The 30-minute drive from Old Quebec offers air-conditioned relief, and mist from falls provides natural cooling.

Booking Tip: Adventure packages range $45-120 CAD per person. Book cable car and zipline combos 7-10 days ahead. Morning slots (9am-12pm) avoid afternoon storms and offer better photography lighting.

Île d'Orléans Food and Wine Cycling

August harvest season brings fresh strawberries, corn, and early apples to roadside stands. The 67km (42-mile) loop road offers gentle grades perfect for warm weather cycling. Vineyard tastings provide indoor cooling breaks, and farm-to-table restaurants offer covered terraces. Morning cycling (8-11am) avoids peak heat and afternoon storms.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals cost $30-50 CAD per day, guided food tours run $85-150 CAD. Book bike rentals 3-5 days ahead in August. Look for electric bike options to handle humidity and gentle hills more comfortably.

Plains of Abraham Museum and Battlefield Park

August programming includes outdoor historical reenactments taking advantage of dry conditions. The 108-hectare (267-acre) park offers shaded walking paths and indoor museum spaces for cooling breaks. Martello Tower tours provide stone-walled relief from heat, and evening events use extended daylight hours.

Booking Tip: Museum admission runs $15-25 CAD, battlefield tours cost $20-35 CAD. Combo tickets save 20%. Book specialty programs (reenactments, evening tours) 5-7 days ahead as they're weather-dependent and popular in August.

Quebec City Food Market and Culinary Tours

August brings peak season for local produce at Marché du Vieux-Port - corn, tomatoes, and berries are at their finest. Indoor market halls provide air-conditioned relief during afternoon heat. Terrasse season means every restaurant offers outdoor dining, and food trucks multiply in tourist areas to handle festival crowds.

Booking Tip: Food tours typically cost $65-110 CAD per person for 3-4 hour experiences. Book 7-10 days ahead during festival weeks. Look for tours that include both indoor markets and outdoor terraces to balance weather conditions.

August Events & Festivals

Early August (typically first 11 days)

Festival d'été de Québec

North America's largest French-language music festival featuring 300+ shows across 10 stages. Free outdoor concerts, international headliners, and local artists perform nightly. The festival transforms Plains of Abraham into a massive outdoor venue with food trucks, beer gardens, and art installations.

Early to Mid August

Médiévales de Québec

Medieval festival that transforms Old Quebec into a 15th-century European city. Knights in armor, medieval markets, traditional crafts demonstrations, and period music performances throughout the walled city. Costumed performers interact with visitors on every corner.

Late August

Plein Art Québec

Outdoor art festival where 80+ artists display and create works along Grande Allée. Live painting demonstrations, sculpture exhibitions, and interactive art workshops. Artists work in real-time, taking advantage of August's extended daylight and dry conditions.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable umbrella - afternoon thunderstorms hit 60% of August days, lasting 20-30 minutes with little warning

Breathable cotton or linen clothing - avoid polyester in 70% humidity which traps sweat and becomes uncomfortable on cobblestone walks

Comfortable walking shoes with grip - Quebec's cobblestones become slippery when wet, and you'll walk 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily exploring

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8, and stone walls reflect additional rays while you explore ramparts and outdoor festivals

Light sweater or long sleeves - evenings cool to 13°C (55°F), especially during river cruises or outdoor festival seating

Portable phone charger - extended sightseeing days drain batteries faster, and you'll need GPS for navigating Old Quebec's winding streets

Small daypack with water bottle - festival crowds mean long waits at concessions, and dehydration happens quickly in 70% humidity

Cash in small bills - food trucks and street vendors during festivals often don't accept cards, and tipping guides requires cash

Layers for air conditioning - restaurants and museums blast AC to combat humidity, creating 15°C (27°F) temperature swings

Blister prevention (moleskin/bandaids) - cobblestone walking and new shoes cause friction, especially when feet swell in heat

Insider Knowledge

Festival d'été crowds peak 2-6pm daily - locals eat early (5:30pm) or late (9pm) dinners to avoid tourist restaurant rushes and secure terrasse seating

Thunderstorms follow predictable patterns - clouds build from the west around 1pm, rain hits 2-5pm, then clears for beautiful evening light perfect for photography

Free shuttle buses run between festival venues and parking areas - locals park at ExpoCité (free) and shuttle in rather than paying $25+ downtown parking

Québécois take vacation the last two weeks of August (construction holiday) - many local businesses close, but tourist services remain open with extended hours

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking accommodations only for festival dates - hotel prices drop 40% after August 12th, and late August weather is actually more stable with fewer crowds

Wearing new shoes for cobblestone walking - break in footwear before arrival, as Old Quebec's uneven stones cause blisters within 2-3 hours

Planning outdoor activities between 2-5pm - this is prime thunderstorm time, better to schedule indoor attractions (museums, shopping) during these hours