Montreal is one of the best places to spend a memorable Christmas holiday. During the festive season, the city is under a blanket of snow and illuminated with shimmering lights. Ride La Grande Roue de Montréal, Canada’s tallest Ferris wheel, to gain a different perspective of the city. Take a cruise along St. Lawrence, and explore the charming Old Montreal on foot for a history lesson. You are never far from the festive cheer as the entire city is decorated in elaborate displays and the sound of carols floats through the air. Read on to find the top things to do at Christmas in Montreal, Canada, and plan an itinerary for a magical holiday.
Traveler's tips
Sarah
If you’re going in the winter, definitely bring layers and prepare for snow. Sometimes you get lucky with light snow, but if there’s a snowstorm, it can be a real issue. In the summer, the weather’s usually nice, but you might want to check for road construction before you go—it can really slow things down.
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1. Experience the charm of Old Montreal
Meet up with your guide at Victoria Square and head on a 90-minute walking tour of Old Montreal. The tour will allow you to marvel at the elaborate Christmas decorations that light up the city. You will also get to know about the history and customs of New France.
Along the way, check out the Santa Claus exhibit at World Trade Centre Montreal. Bid farewell to your tour guide at Bonsecours Market, the 100-year-old dome-shaped public market.
Book Tours : Christmas Walking Tour in Old Montreal
2. Get festive with a Christmas concert
Be ready to be serenaded at this annual Nativity-themed Christmas concert. The concert features traditional holiday songs and French hymns from different parts of the world. The event is helmed by emerging singers Hugo Laporte and Rose Naggar-Tremblay along with the vocal quartet Ensemble Cochléa. The instrumentals are provided by Clavecin en concert.
Christmas Concert
Address: Crypt Church, 3800 Queen Mary Rd, Montreal, Quebec
Website: Christmas Concert
Opening hours: Dec 16, 2022: 7:30pm
Price: $28 (students aged 25 and under), $32 (seniors aged 65 and over), $35 (regular)
3. Sip on delicious hot chocolate at Juliette & Chocolat
You cannot visit Montreal during Christmas and not sample the delicious hot chocolate served at Juliette & Chocolat. To accompany your hot beverage, you have a delectable selection of crepes, waffles, and cookies. Children will love to browse the kids’ menu which includes delicious options for meals and desserts.
What started as an outlet mainly centered around chocolate has expanded today to serve salads and beverages. The establishment even includes gift boxes so you can carry a little taste of Montreal back home with you.
Juliette & Chocolat
Address: 3600 Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal
Website: Juliette & Chocolat
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8:30am - 11pm; Fri: 8:30am - 12am; Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 11pm
4. Enjoy Christmas brunch on the river
A Christmastime brunch is a common tradition, but have you ever had one on the river? Climb aboard the luxurious Cavalier Maxim on Alexandra Pier and take in the famous sights of Montreal as you gently cruise St. Lawrence River. The three-course festive brunch will begin with pastries and a fruit parfait, followed by the main course which you can select from four options. The meal ends with a special Christmas dessert. Each meal is accompanied by a mini potato cassolette and warm beverages.
It is recommended that you arrive at least an hour prior to boarding so you can exchange your voucher at the ticket counter.
Book Tours : Montreal: Christmas Brunch Cruise
Montreal Tour Guide
Ruby Roy
Welcome ! Montreal is one of only two regulated cities' in Canada for Licensed Professional guides. Always ask your guide for their license to practise. I am a veteran and most senior Montreal Licensed Expert Guide . I specialise in bespoke private experiences and tours. My guests are mainly luxury, diplomatic, protocol, public figures, corporate business travellers or well travelled guests... Read more
5. Stroll through the Vegan Christmas Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Keeping the holiday spirit in mind, a trip to this market in Montreal allows you to indulge in melt-in-the-mouth vegan pastries, cruelty-free beauty products, and artisanal home decor. This exemplary market is returning for its fifth season this year and visitors can expect to find a wide variety of vendors selling food, body care, clothes, and jewelry.
Vegan Christmas Market
Address: Maison du développement durable, 50 Ste-Catherine W., Montreal
Website: Vegan Christmas Market
Opening hours: Dec 10 & 11, 2022: from 10am - 6pm
Price: Free (general admission), $12 (VIP Passes)
6. Experience the Montreal Christmas Village
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Village de Noël de Montréal on Saturday, December 18, 2021
Visitors experience a taste of the local life as soon as they step into the Montreal Christmas Village at Atwater Market. Discover artwork by talented local artists, bite into delicious local delicacies, and sip on wine as you browse hand-picked stalls. The Christmas decor, festive lighting, and holiday entertainment cast a warm and cheerful glow on all the visitors.
Though the market has only been running for a few years, it is a firm favorite amongst residents and is one of the top attractions during the holiday season. It also gives travelers a chance to pick unique holiday gifts that are sure to be cherished.
Montreal Christmas Village
Address: Place du Marché (Atwater), Saint-Ambroise Street, Between Sainte-Émilie Street and Green Avenue, Montréal, QC
Website: Montreal Christmas Market
Opening hours: Fri: 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 7pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm (Nov 24 - Dec 18, 2022); Thu: 4pm - 7pm (Nov 24, 2022)
Price: Free
7. Spend time with The Nutcracker
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Nutcracker is as synonymous with Christmas as snow and Santa Claus. Tickets to this popular show should be booked in advance. Colorful costumes and elaborate sets accompanied by a talented cast help to recreate this timeless Christmas classic. The magical score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is recreated by Les Grands Ballets’ Orchestra as the showstopping ballerinas transport you to the Land of Sweets.
The Nutcracker
Address: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, 175 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC
Website: The Nutracker
Opening hours: Dec 9 - Dec 30, 2022: 2pm & 7:30pm
Price: from $89
8. Take part in Merry Montreal at Place Jacques-Cartier
Every December, Place Jacques-Cartier in Old Montreal is transformed into the perfect holiday destination with light, sound, and public art installations. Walk around this riverfront neighborhood and explore the winter wonderland that marks the beginning of the holiday season. The event starts on December 15 and ends on December 31.
Merry Montreal
Address: Place Jacques-Cartier square
Website: Merry Montreal
Opening hours: Thu & Fri: 4pm - 8pm; Sat & Sun: 12pm - 8pm
Price: Free
9. Skate like a pro at the Old Port Skating Rink
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
C’est le Nouvel An chinois Dans la tradition chinoise, 2022 débute aujourd’hui sous le signe du tigre, un animal qui...
Posted by Vieux-Port de Montréal - Old Port of Montréal on Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Boasting quality ice all season, Old Port skating rink is at the foot of Canada’s tallest Ferris wheel. With St. Lawrence River on the other side, it truly is one of the best places to experience ice skating in the city.
If your skates are too heavy to be packed with your luggage, you can avail of the skate and helmet rental facility. You can also rent a skating coach to learn the basics of ice skating. A restaurant and bar are also available onsite for you to visit after a tiring session of ice skating.
Old Port Skating Rink
Address: Bassin Bonsecours, Montréal, QC H2Y 2E2, Canada
Website: Old Port Skating Rink
10. Take a stroll through The Great Montreal Christmas Market
When in Montreal, this traditional Christmas market is definitely a must-visit. You can spend time walking around the market shopping for handcrafted goods or sampling delicious food. You can also buy gifts to take home as souvenirs. Visitors can also taste festive liquors or simply enjoy the enthralling musical and theatrical performances.
The Great Montreal Christmas Market
Address: 1499 Jeanne-Mance St, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2A1, Canada
Website: The Great Montreal Christmas Market
Opening hours: Thu & Fri: 3pm - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 7pm (Nov 19 - Dec 18, 2022); Mon-Sun: 1pm - 7pm (Dec 19 - Dec 31, 2022); closed on Christmas Day
Price: Free
Spend a white Christmas in Montreal
Montreal features ice skating and skiing for thrill seekers, delicacies at Christmas markets for food connoisseurs, and concerts and ballets for the artistically inclined. No matter where you are traveling from, Montreal will envelop you in its festive spirit. Catering to people of all ages, these are the top things to do at Christmas in Montreal, Canada.
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