What's the Sunniest City in Canada? Where Calgary Ranks
Posted by Justin Havre Real Estate Team on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at 11:27am.
Ever wonder which Canadian city gets the most sunlight? Calgary tops the list with an abundance of sunshine that enhances the city's numerous parks and outdoor spaces, making it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts or anyone who enjoys a bright, cheerful atmosphere. But how do other major Canadian cities like Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal compare? Learn more about the sunniest cities in Canada!
What Are the Sunniest Cities in Canada?
- Calgary, Alberta - 333 days with bright sunshine - 2,396 hours of bright sunshine
- Winnipeg, Manitoba - 316 days - 2,353 hours
- Edmonton, Alberta - 325 days - 2,345 hours
- Regina, Saskatchewan - 322 days - 2,318 hours
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - 319 days - 2,268 hours
Source: WorldAtlas.com
How Much Sunshine Does Calgary Get?
Fun fact about Calgary: the city experiences an impressive 333 sunny days annually, with an average of 2,396 hours of bright sunshine each year, making it the sunniest city in Canada. These statistics indicate that almost half of Calgary's daylight hours—52%, to be exact—are filled with sunshine.
This considerable amount of sunlight has a significant impact on the city's climate. Summers are warm, with daytime temperatures often in the 10–25°C range, while winters are cold and dry but occasionally relieved by the warm Chinook winds. The sunshine also enhances the beauty of Calgary's parks and outdoor splash pads, making them ideal for various leisure activities.
Whether you're into outdoor festivals like the Calgary Stampede or prefer trekking through the abundant hiking trails, the sunniest city in Canada provides ample opportunities to soak up the sun. As a resident of Calgary, you can expect to benefit from the mental and physical well-being that comes from living in an environment with such high levels of sunlight.
How Much Sunshine Does Edmonton Get?
Edmonton receives an average of 2,345 hours of bright sunshine annually, making it one of Canada's sunniest cities. On average, Edmonton experiences 325 days of bright sunshine each year. Compared to Calgary, Edmonton is only slightly less sunny per year.
July is typically the city's sunniest month, clocking 307 hours of sunshine. For comparison, December has the lowest figure, with only 84 hours of sunshine.
During long summer days, people can enjoy outdoor activities like cycling, boating on the North Saskatchewan River, or exploring parks. Conversely, the shorter winter days can drive indoor activities like visits to the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Royal Alberta Museum, or the West Edmonton Mall.
Edmonton offers a mix of urban and natural experiences, making it a prime destination for those who appreciate a balance of sunshine and seasonal changes.
How Much Sunshine Does Winnipeg Get?
Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is a strong runner-up, with 2,353 hours of bright sunshine and 316 sunny days each year. About 51% of the city’s daylight hours are sunny.
That sunshine helps power a lively summer scene. Seasonal highlights include the Winnipeg Folk Festival, performances by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Assiniboine Park, and the Red River Exhibition.
Visitors can also enjoy outdoor attractions like the Assiniboine Park Zoo, the Nature Playground in Assiniboine Park, river tours along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, and The Forks—the city’s most popular tourist destination.
On especially hot days, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights offers a cool and compelling indoor alternative.
How Much Sunshine Does Vancouver Get?
This may come as a surprise, but Vancouver experiences 290 days of sunshine on average.
Despite being known for its wet conditions, Vancouver's climate has plenty of redeeming qualities. For starters, you'll enjoy outstanding year-round temperatures and a surprising lack of summertime humidity. Vancouver also has the coolest summer average high of the major metropolitan areas in Canada, so while winters can feel dreary, the summers here are superb.
The beautiful environment and variety of outdoor activities—such as hiking at Grouse Mountain and visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge—make the city a lovely place to explore.
How Much Sunshine Does Toronto Get?
Compared to other major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Montréal, Toronto fares reasonably well, with an average of 305 days of sunshine per year. Around 44% of daylight hours in Toronto are sunny. However, compare Ontario to Alberta, and the difference in bright sunshine per year isn't even close.
During the summer, you can expect the sun to rise around 5:45 a.m. and set around 9 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight hours to enjoy activities like cycling or hiking in Rouge National Urban Park, taking in the sights from a rooftop bar, or jamming out at a music festival.
Even with reduced daylight later in the year, it's still possible to get out and enjoy the city's many winter attractions. Toronto experiences four distinct seasons, and there's plenty to see and do during all of them.
How Much Sunshine Does Montréal Get?
With an average of 2,051 hours of sunshine per year, Montréal isn't far off from Vancouver and Toronto. When it comes to sunshine in Montréal vs. Calgary, the crown jewel of Quebec doesn't shine quite as brightly. The city has 305 sunny days per year, and it's no stranger to thunderstorms.
Living in Montréal, you can expect significant sunlight during summer mornings, often seeing sunrise around 5:20 a.m. and long days that end in a beautiful sunset around 8:40 p.m.
December is the darkest month, with only a couple hours of sunlight per day. This gradually increases until July, the brightest month, when Montréal can enjoy well over eight hours of sunshine daily.
If you're planning a visit during June, the sun sets close to 9:00 p.m., providing ample daylight for outdoor activities. Don't miss your chance to experience some of the city's many festivals, whether it's a celebration of music, art, culture, or cuisine.
What Are Canada’s Sunniest Small Cities and Towns?
Okay, we admit it. Technically speaking, Calgary is only the sunniest major city in Canada. When we're talking about the sunniest places in Canada, there are a few small cities and towns that deserve to be mentioned.
Medicine Hat, Alberta
With around 2,544 hours of sunshine over about 330 days each year, Medicine Hat tops the list of the sunniest cities in Canada, thanks to its southern latitude and dry climate.
Racing fans can catch events at the Medicine Hat Auto Racing Association. Other attractions include the Medicine Hat Brewing Company, the historic Monarch Theatre, the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, and outdoor spaces like Strathcona Island Park. As a bonus, it's one of the cheapest places to buy a home in Canada.
Lethbridge, Alberta
Known as Canada’s windiest city, Lethbridge is also among its sunniest, with about 2,507 hours of sunshine across roughly 333 days each year. Its southern location contributes to the bright climate.
Outdoor highlights include Henderson Lake Park, Indian Battle Park, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, and Park Lake Provincial Park—all great places to enjoy the sunshine (and perhaps a cooling prairie breeze). It's also among the most affordable places to live in Alberta.
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Swift Current is the sunniest city in Saskatchewan, receiving about 2,411 hours of sunshine across roughly 324 sunny days annually. Again, its southern location and dry prairie climate contribute to the bright conditions.
Visitors can explore attractions such as the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame, the Living Sky Casino, the city’s art gallery, and the colorful Windscape Kite Festival.
Estevan, Saskatchewan
Located near the U.S. border, Estevan enjoys about 2,404 hours of sunshine and roughly 324 sunny days each year, thanks to its southern location and distance from coastal weather systems.
Visitors and residents can stay active at the Estevan Leisure Centre, which features a pool and facilities for a wide range of sports. Golfers can tee off at the Hidden Valley Golf Course, while those seeking culture and history can explore the Souris Valley Museum, visit the local art gallery, or spend time enjoying the area’s many parks.
Gimli, Manitoba
The lakeside community of Gimli is considered the sunniest place in Manitoba, with about 2,359 hours of sunshine and more than 317 sunny days annually.
Situated along the shores of Lake Winnipeg, Gimli makes the most of its bright weather with plenty of hiking trails, camping spots, and golf courses. Its waterfront location also means visitors can enjoy several sandy beaches along the lake.
What is Canada’s Least Sunny City?
Prince Rupert is among the cloudiest cities in Canada, with only about 1,230 hours of sunshine each year. The city’s coastal setting—surrounded by water on British Columbia’s north coast—creates conditions that often lead to persistent cloud cover.
Even so, there’s no shortage of things to do in the summer. Outdoor attractions include the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, Butze Rapids Park, Metlakatla Wilderness Trail, and Sunken Gardens Park.
Visitors can also explore several educational and cultural sites, including the North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site, the Museum of Northern British Columbia, and the Prince Rupert Visitor Centre.
However, Stewart, B.C., might take the crown for the least amount of sunshine, with just 985 hours measured by Environment Canada. This tiny village on the Alaska-B.C. border is Canada's northernmost ice-free port, about 200 kilometres north of Prince Rupert. The surrounding mountains, while incredibly beautiful, often cast the valley in shadow. It's also one of the snowiest towns in Canada, averaging 572 centimetres each year.
Soak Up the Sun in Calgary
Abundant sunshine is just one of many reasons to love living in Calgary compared to other major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Whether you're exploring local parks, enjoying the views from high-rise condos, or admiring rays glimmering off fresh snowfall in the winter, the extra sunlight makes every season more beautiful. Canada's sunniest city could just be your ideal place to live.
If you're interested in Calgary real estate, contact Justin Havre Real Estate Team with eXp Realty with Calgary Homes at (403) 217-0003 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your Calgary dream home today.