shoulder season

American  

noun

1. a travel season between peak and off-peak seasons, especially spring and fall, when fares tend to be relatively low.

---

Etymology

Origin of shoulder season

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

U.S. natural gas futures fell as the market enters the low-demand spring shoulder season, when heating use declines and cooling demand has yet to pick up much.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

My ideal vacation is renting a villa in the Mediterranean during shoulder season when it’s cool and breezy, eating elaborate meals and driving to offbeat museums and hidden beaches.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2025

During the so-called shoulder season, which he says is now, that percentage changes to 65% to 35%, while in the offseason months of January and February it flips to 60% locals and 40% tourists.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2023

Lane says the shoulder season saw above-average demand last year, and so far the trend is continuing this spring.

From Washington Times • Mar. 22, 2023

Holding off until shoulder season could save flexible travelers significantly.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2023