10 Things to Do in Montreal in Winter

Explore Canada's cultural capital in winter and prepare to be captivated by its seasonal charm. Although braving the cold temperatures may seem challenging, the list of things to see and do in Montreal is extensive during the winter season.

From skiing through the city to enjoying snow-covered natural parks and practising sports such as snowboarding or ice skating, to visiting Christmas markets or sampling Christmas delicacies made with maple sugar and foie gras, there is something for everyone. With a variety of activities on offer, discover the top 12 things not to be missed in Montreal in winter.

If you're looking for a unique and intriguing event to attend in Montreal, be sure to visit Luminothérapie. This exhibition offers mesmerising light and sound shows to present new exhibitions such as "The Domino Effect" or "Impulse". Here, the mission is to fully explore the effects of light and sound combined in a harmonious symphony of special effects.

From late November to late January, you can explore and enjoy the themed installation of the year. You can also take the Montreal tourist bus, the underground or any other form of public transport to reach the Festival Quartier-des-Spectacles venue located at 1435 Saint-Alexandre St., Suite Luminothérapie. This is the perfect way to enjoy winter and make up for the reduced hours of daylight.

Montreal is a winter wonderland, and you'll be visiting at the best time to play in the snow and make the most of it. You can take the tourist bus to Mont-Royal Park, which offers electric bike rides, snowshoe tours, hiking, snow tubing, and cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing.

Another alternative is to visit Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park, the largest in Montreal, where you can go sledding or carriage riding, take part in a variety of self-guided snowshoe trails, and even go cross-country skiing.

However, if you prefer to get a little further away from the city centre, venture out on one of the best day trips from Montreal and visit the Laurentian Mountains at Mont-Tremblant National Park. It is an hour and a half from the city, but can be reached by bus. The alpine ski resort offers multiple slopes for beginners and intermediate skiers.

Towards the end of the winter season, you can take part in the Montreal Festival of Lights, also known as Montreal en Lumière, the largest and most comprehensive winter festival in Canada's cultural capital.

During this festival, you can take part in numerous outdoor activities, dance shows, theatre, concerts, circus performances, skating competitions, art and technology exhibitions, wine tastings and themed activities. The almost endless display of lights will guide you through the Quartier Des Spectacles, which you can reach on a tour of Montreal, by car, by bike or even by public transport.

To join this event, simply schedule your visit among the things to do in Montreal in February during the last week of the month.

In the United States, Coachella has become the benchmark music festival, while its Canadian counterpart goes by another name: Igloofest, an annual electronic music festival held in the charming Old Port.

What began as a modest event in 2007 has grown into a massive celebration. And how could it not? Igloofest's lineup has brought together some of the best DJs and emerging talents in electronic music from around the world, including names such as Fatboy Slim, Apashe, Diplo, Bonobo, Tiesto and Claptone, among many others.

There are 12 nights between mid-January and early February where you can warm up by dancing non-stop. In addition to the music, Igloofest is known for its vibrant and energetic atmosphere. Attendees are immersed in a unique experience, as many of them dress up in extravagant neon ski suits, ice queen outfits, fur coats and much more.

How to get to the Igloofest party? Just take the tourist bus or any public transport and get off at Old Montreal. Immerse yourself in the excitement of Igloofest! In the picturesque Old Port of Montreal, art and culture overflow onto the streets and await your visit.

One of the most magical experiences you can enjoy in Montreal during the winter is riding the Big Ferris Wheel. Located in the Old Port area, this illuminated Ferris wheel offers breathtaking views and an excellent perspective of the city from a height of 60 metres.

The ride on the Big Ferris Wheel lasts approximately 20 minutes and you can choose between private or shared gondolas for greater comfort. From the Ferris wheel, you can see not only the city's winter ice rinks, but also iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Basilica, the charming Place Jacques-Cartier, the St. Lawrence River and the top of Mont-Royal Park.

This attraction is especially enchanting during winter, when the city is covered in snow and lights illuminate the landscape. Riding the Ferris wheel is a great way to admire the beauty of Montreal from above and create unforgettable memories.

Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal is a must-see attraction on the best Montreal tours at any time of year, but during the winter months it offers a sound and light show called AURA that transforms the basilica into a mesmerising blend of coloured lights, organ music and sublime architecture.

This work by New York architect James O'Donnell represents the identity of the city concentrated in a single temple since 1824. From its modest exterior, Notre-Dame Basilica will amaze you with its incredible painted ceiling, ornate architecture and beautiful decorations.

Don't miss the opportunity to admire Notre-Dame Basilica at its best and immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of this historic site during your visit to Montreal in winter.

Winter in Canada lasts from late November to February, and one of the season's must-do activities is shopping, so don't miss out on browsing Montreal's Christmas markets.

These markets offer a delightful experience with mulled wine, delicious sugar cakes and a wide variety of handmade gifts, candles, crafts and delicacies made with foie gras and, of course, maple sugar and other local products. Throughout the city, you'll find a variety of Christmas markets, including:

• The Nutcracker Market, located in the Palais des Congrès, offers Christmas decorations, artisanal foods, jewellery, toys, and plenty of solutions for fashionistas.
• Montreal's Christmas Village or Marché Atwater, located in Atwater Markets, brings together the best of local cuisine in more than 50 stalls selling gourmet olive oils, spices, maple sugar products and seasonal fruits. In short, it is the market for Christmas delicacies.

Later in December, Merry Montreal opens its doors in Champ-de-Mars, a famous area of Old Port Montreal. It is at this time of year that the "Christmas in the Park" circuit markets are present in Place Émilie-Gamelin, Parc des Compagnons de Saint-Laurent and Parc Lahaie, some of the city's most popular parks.

All of them combine traditional Christmas activities with public art exhibitions, sleigh rides, regional food tastings and lively street parties, either free of charge or at very reasonable prices. Without a doubt, this is a great time of year to take a tour of the city. Don't miss a thing!

Temperatures are quite low in Canada, especially in winter, so we need to warm up, and the best way to do that is to enjoy the local cuisine, which, thanks to its multicultural offerings, has something for everyone. You can try their famous bagels in shops that are open 24 hours a day. Can you believe it? The love for these bagels is infinite.

There are also options such as pumpkin soup or turkey with duck fat, shrimp cocktails and sensational salads. As you will see, duck fat is a constant, but if you ask for the three dishes you shouldn't miss, they are:

• Smoked meat begins with this Montreal speciality that is seasoned and cured for a week, resulting in the ultimate fast food: smoked meat.
• Maple syrup in specialised shops such as Montreal Delices Erable & Cie., where you can taste and take home your favourites after sampling these delicacies in the world capital of maple products.
• Finally, try poutine, a quintessential Canadian dish. Poutine became popular in Montreal in the 1990s and can now be found almost everywhere in the city.

There are some activities you simply can't miss during your visit to Montreal, such as getting tickets to ice hockey games, trying your hand at curling or, of course, ice skating. This is the perfect place to test your skills or simply enjoy a fun spin on the ice. The city has a hundred public skating rinks to explore.

You can rent skates at various parks and ice rinks throughout the city. Here are some recommended options:

• The Esplanade Tranquille is free and was created to complement the range of options available in the Quartier des Spectacles, so fun is the order of the day here.
• Parc La Fontaine, another free option that immerses you in an enchanting fairy world with its winding paths around the Plateau-Mont-Royal.
• Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, an 11-hectare space that offers an exciting challenge for more experienced skaters. You'll also find two ice hockey rinks for a complete hockey experience.
• The Old Port Rink is one of the most picturesque and offers the most attractive panoramic views , as it is surrounded by Montreal's historic district.

Ice fishing in Montreal is a classic winter activity that you shouldn't miss, especially if you're a beginner.

During your visit, you may want to consider booking a guided tour to learn the techniques you need to master this fun sport. One of the most popular places for ice fishing is Pêche Blanche Ice Fishing Village in Old Montreal, where you can fish for perch and walleye.

One of the things to do in Montreal with children at Christmas is to enjoy the Santa Claus Parade, which takes place from the end of November, at the beginning of the winter season.

This festive event, a tradition for over 70 years, features dazzling floats, lively marching bands and talented performers parading through the heart of downtown Montreal. The highlight of the parade is when the little ones catch a glimpse of Santa Claus riding his sleigh, creating enchanting memories.

The route often follows Sainte-Catherine Street West, but it can vary from year to year, so I recommend checking the details on their website. Best of all, it is always accessible, even by city tourist bus, so you won't miss out on this legendary event.

How many cities can you explore on skis? This is a rather original activity and highly recommended for enjoying with family or friends. Can you imagine the stories you'll have to tell? A tour of Montreal on skis is the best!

Montreal has 200 km of well-maintained trails, chalets and rental services. The most popular places are Jean-Drapeau Park for beginners, the Botanical Garden or the Lachine Canal, the immense Cap-Saint-Jacques Park and, for more experienced skiers, the slopes of Mount Royal Park, located in the heart of the city.

Montreal is a cold city in winter. Average temperatures from late November to February range from -1°C to -11°C, which means there is a high probability of snowfall.

If you wrap up warm and dress appropriately, you can enjoy the city like the Montrealers, who are used to these low temperatures as all their activities are suited to exploring and venturing out to enjoy the surroundings with the cold as their ally.