Looking for the latest recommendations? Check out our updated list of the Best Winter Activities in Montreal for 2024/2025 here!
Montreal undergoes a breathtaking transformation into a winter wonderland from December to March. Despite its chilly reputation, the city becomes even more vibrant and exciting during the Christmas and New Year’s season. Whether you prefer cozy indoor events or adventurous outdoor activities in the snow, Montreal has it all. Here are my picks for the best winter activities in Montreal, from festive Christmas events to unforgettable events in the new year.
Visit the Great Montreal Christmas Market
Experience the enchantment of the Great Montreal Christmas Market at Place des Festivals in the Quartier des spectacles on Sainte-Catherine Street. From November 25 to December 30, 2023, immerse yourself in a magical journey with 30 chalets featuring local and regional artisans, gourmet stations serving delightful holiday treats, over 80 Québec artisans & over 150 free animations. The best part? It’s free to visit, giving you the freedom to spend as little or as much as you desire once you arrive. It’s a festive celebration not to be missed.
When: November 25, 2023 – December 30, 2023
Admission: Free. Additional experiences & goodies available for purchase at individual vendor booths
Official Website: https://noelmontreal.ca/grandmarchedenoel/en/the-great-christmas-market/
Glide into Winter and go Ice Skating
Embrace the enchantment of winter in Montreal by lacing up your skates and twirling onto the city’s most magical ice rinks. From December to early March, the Old Port Ice Skating Rink transforms into a winter village with a plethora of activities, from cardio-on-ice workouts, live music, ice dancing and Christmaas, New Years & Valentine’s themed events. As the sun sets, be captivated by the Natrel Fire on Ice firework show and DJ-spun beats. The Esplanade Tranquille at Quartier des spectacles offers a refrigerated, glamorous expanse where up to 400 skaters of all ages can revel in the festive spirit. Admission is free and there is a pavilion equipped with lockers and rentals and the Galaxie Brasserie for post-skating bites, making it a haven for winter enthusiasts. For a scenic skating adventure, venture to Beaver Lake Skating Rink atop Mount Royal Park. This 2,500 square-meter rink promises a picturesque experience from December to March. Warm up inside the Beaver Lake Pavilion, where skates are available for rent, and Café des Amis serves steaming hot drinks and snacks. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a novice, these three picks guarantee a winter wonderland of fun in the heart of Montreal.
Old Port Ice Skating Rink
Official Website: https://www.oldportofmontreal.com/activity/skating-rink
General Admission: $10.00
When: Dec 9, 2023, to Mar 10, 2024
Monday to Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m
Esplanade Tranquille
Official Website: https://www.quartierdesspectacles.com/en/event/332/esplanade-tranquille-skating-rink/
General Admission: Free
When: From Wednesday, December 13, 2023: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Beaver Lake Skating Rink
Official Website: https://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en/evenements/detail/ice-skating/8880
General Admission: Free
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cozy up at Belvu Terrace
This season, Marriott Château Champlain has magically turned it into a winter wonderland, providing an exclusive après-ski retreat right in the heart of Montreal. Located on the third floor, Belvu Hors Piste has undergone a picturesque transformation with alpine-inspired decor, featuring inviting fireplaces, patio heaters, and plush furs that let you fully embrace the winter chill! The menu, a creation of Chef Kevin Mougin, draws inspiration from classic ski mountain culinary delights, from Mont Blanc Tartiflette to Irish Coffee. With the terrace coming alive four times a week with energetic DJs, it’s the ideal setting to celebrate this holiday season. Don’t miss out on this unique winter experience!
When: Thursday & Friday 5PM-10PM, Saturday & Sunday 2PM-7PM
Admission: Free with food & beverages at an additional charge
Website: https://www.opentable.ca/r/belvu-hors-piste-montreal
Party at the Coolest Music Festival in the World
Embrace the chill and let the music warm your soul at Igloofest, the coolest music festival in the world. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this winter extravaganza is set to take over the Old Port of Montreal over three weekends from January 18 to February 10, 2024. This year features renowned artists like Diplo, Marc Rebillet, NTO, Rezz, Armin Van Buuren, and more! The festival is co-produced by Piknic Electronik and the Quays of the Old Port and has been an annual highlight since 2007, drawing tens of thousands of music lovers each year. The festival’s 2 stages, striking visuals, and Igloovillage create a unique atmosphere, making Igloofest one of the city’s coolest events and a must-visit winter destination. Don your tackiest snowsuit and join the celebration!
Admission: Tickets start from $42.50 upwards
When: January 18 to February 10, 2024
Official Website: https://igloofest.ca/en
Relax at a Nordic Spa
One of my favorite activities on a snowy day is to escape to a nordic day spa! Nordic bathing embraces the practices of Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden, Norway, and Finland, and is rooted in the belief that alternating between hot and cold experiences can promote physical and mental well-being. Alternating between these contrasting temperatures offers a myriad of benefits for the body and mind; the heat from saunas, spas & steam rooms promotes relaxation, reduces stress and soothes tired muscles & joints, while the invigorating cold plunges & showers help to detoxify the body, stimulate circulation & boosts the immune system. Montreal is home to a handful of incredible nordic spas, in fact – Quebec draws the greatest concentration of Nordic spas in Canada. In Montreal, you can choose from Bota Bota, Strøm Spa or Scandinave Spa. All three spas offer thermal circuits and additional massages services, so you can alternate between hot saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms & spas followed by icy plunges in Nordic baths, showers & waterfalls. To end your circuit, you can relax in a fluffy robe in the spa’s cozy relaxation areas! For my full review & guide to Scandinave Spa please click here.
Scandinave Spa
Admission: $75-$80 for the Thermal Circuit
Official Website: https://www.scandinave.com/vieux-montreal
Bota Bota
Admission: $60-$85 for the Thermal Circuit
Official Website: https://botabota.ca/en/
Strøm Spa
Admission: $59-$84 for the Thermal Circuit
Official Website: https://boutique.stromspa.com/en
Marvel at the Aura Lightshow
The AURA Experience at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is a captivating multimedia light and sound spectacle. The immersive presentation showcases the architectural beauty and cultural heritage of the basilica in a truly mesmerizing way. Created by the renowned and award-winning studio Moment Factory, known for their outstanding installations such as Tonga Lumina at Mont-Tremblant, the AURA Experience transforms the basilica’s interior into a visual and musical wonder. Before the main light show, you can take up to 30 minutes to explore the Basilica’s illuminated stations, highlighting its architectural and artwork details. Then, settle into the pews for the 23-minute multisensory performance. It’s a unique and enchanting opportunity to marvel at the rich history and stunning architecture of the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal while escaping the cold weather outside
Admission: $32 for adult admission
Official Website: https://www.aurabasiliquemontreal.com/en/experience
Visit Montreal’s Christmas Village
Drop by Montreal’s Christmas Village for some festive fun! Back at Atwater Market from November 30th to December 24th, 2023, it’s your chance to discover tasty treats from local artisans while enjoying free family-friendly activities. With 54 unique Quebec exhibitors and over 90 animations to check out, the Montreal Christmas Village transforms into a magical haven at Place du Marché Atwater. This year, you can dive into the Kingdom of the Elves, hosting a bunch of delightful activities. Check the schedule here and plan your epic day at Montreal’s Christmas Village. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so mark your calendar for November 30, 2023, to December 24, 2023, and let the holiday vibes take over!
When: November 30, 2023 – December 24, 2023
Admission: Free. Additional experiences & goodies available for purchase at individual vendor booths
Official Website: https://noelmontreal.ca/villagedenoel/en/montreal-christmas-village/
Be Dazzled by Montreal en Lumière
Step into a winter wonderland at Montreal en Lumière, one of the world’s largest winter festivals that draws over 500,000 festival-goers each year. This event transforms the city into a magical landscape, combining performances, gastronomy and free outdoor family activities. For the 2023 edition of Montreal en Lumière, here are some highlights not to be missed:
- Tons of Free Outdoor Activities: The Skating Trail is back, enchanting Montrealers of all ages with magical light displays and music and breathtaking views of the downtown skyline
- Free Rides on the Iconic Loto-Québec Ferris Wheel: Hop on the popular Loto-Québec Ferris Wheel for a complimentary ride. From the top of this iconic festival attraction, enjoy a spectacular view of the area adorned with a thousand lights.
- Dazzling Light Installations: It wouldn’t be Montreal en Lumière without the lights! Five interactive light installations for the whole family will illuminate the outdoor site. Three of these were created in collaboration with the Luminothérapie competition, while two others were specially installed for the festival.
- Nuit blanche: a night filled with discovery and creativity where the city comes alive with art installations, performances, and events that continue until the early hours.
When: 29 February – 10 March, 2024
Admission: Free. Additional experiences available for purchase
Official Website: https://www.montrealenlumiere.com/
Family Friendly Fun at Fête des Neige
Celebrate the magic of winter at Montreal’s Fête des Neiges, a four-weekend festival held at Parc Jean-Drapeau from mid-January to mid-February. Presented by Tim Hortons and in collaboration with Groupe Nissan Gabriel, the festival transforms the park into a snowy wonderland with a plethora of outdoor activities such as sledding, ice skating, ziplining, curling, skiing and more. Admission is free and the whole family can enjoy it’s complimentary performances such as ice sculpting competitions and dog sledding races. As one of Montreal’s largest outdoor winter events, the Fête des Neiges welcomes thousands of visitors each year, and is the perfect activity to enjoy during winter, set against the picturesque backdrop of Parc Jean-Drapeau.
When: Mid January to Mid February 2024
Admission: Free. Additional experiences available for purchase
Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing & Snow Tubing at Mont Royal
As winter blankets Mont Royal, this iconic Montreal destination becomes a playground for both locals and visitors. At Beaver Lake, you can go ice skating for free, while thrill seekers can go snow tubing down the slopes for as little as $9 per day. After your exhilarating activities, you can warm up at the cozy Café des Amis with a tasty hot chocolate. For winter sports lovers, Mont Royal boasts over 22 km of meticulously groomed cross-country ski trails. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned skier, these trails provide a scenic and serene setting to explore the park. Lessons are also available for those eager to refine their skills or learn for the first time.If skiing is not your cup of tea, you can also enjoy snowshoeing in the park, with guided tours available at approx $28.50 for an educational and immersive experience. With free park admission and a myriad of activities available at additional costs, Mont Royal offers some of the best winter activities in Montreal this holiday season.
Official Website: https://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en
Admission: Admission Park Free with activities at additional cost
From the enchanting Christmas markets to the world’s coolest music festival at Igloofest, Montreal is brimming with holiday magic, making December – January one of the best times to visit. So embrace the holiday season by gliding on magical ice rinks, exploring snowy landscapes, warming up in a nordic spa or any other amazing winter activities in Montreal.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
