The best times to visit Toronto are late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October), when the weather is mild and pleasant, the patios and festivals are in full swing and the crowds are thinner than in peak summer. Summer (July and August) is warm, lively and busy, with waterfront events but the highest prices and humidity. Winter (December to March) is genuinely cold and snowy, though the city keeps moving thanks to the underground PATH and cosy indoor attractions, and it is the cheapest time to visit. Autumn also brings beautiful fall colours in the city's ravines and nearby countryside.
Toronto winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures often well below freezing and biting wind off the lake from December to March. Dress in warm layers with a proper coat, hat and gloves, watch for icy pavements, and use the underground PATH network to move around downtown without going outside.
Toronto is a safe city, but as anywhere keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places — on rush-hour transit, in busy markets and in tourist areas — where opportunistic theft is the main petty risk. Keep valuables secure and out of sight.
The city is generally safe at night, but use normal caution late in busy nightlife and club districts such as the Entertainment District and around some downtown transit stations, and take a licensed taxi or rideshare home rather than walking alone in quiet areas.