Things to Do in Montreal in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Montreal
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
29°F (-1°C)
High Temp
16°F (-8°C)
Low Temp
3.6 inches (91 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Black ice hides on sidewalks, after melt-refreeze nights. Morning steps demand caution. Walk flat-footed.
⚠ Snow can dump 20 cm in hours. Buses crawl, flights delay. Leave early for the airport. Always.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Montreal in December is a city of light and warmth,. The Quartier des Spectacles turns into a free, open-air gallery of interactive light installations. Cold air carries roasted chestnuts and mulled wine from pop-up stands. Your breath fogs in the glow of a million LEDs. Worth it.
- + Holiday markets peak now. The German-inspired Marché de Noël and the artisanal Atwater buzz. The real charm hides in smaller stalls. Find the best hot chocolate behind Notre-Dame Basilica. Thick as pudding, stirred with a peppermint stick. Skip the rest.
- + Cultural giants wake up. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Place des Arts roll out winter hits. Think Nutcracker ballet, jazz in centuries-old chapels. Step inside. Be transported.
- + The RÉSO turns into a destination. This 33 km (20.5 miles) climate-controlled maze lets you window-shop, people-watch, glide from Berri-UQAM to the Eaton Centre. Never feel the wind.
Considerations
- − The cold is a bully. Damp sneaks through weak layers. Wind whips down Rue Sainte-Catherine. Pleasant strolls turn into teeth-chattering ordeals. Plan around wind tunnels. Duck into heated doorways.
- − Daylight vanishes before 4:30 PM. Sightseeing shrinks. Chase weak light on Mount Royal lookout. Pivot to indoor or illuminated plans. Move fast.
- − Downtown hotels fill with holiday parties and shoppers. Old Port restaurants book up. Schwartz's smoked meat line snakes down the block, blizzard or not. Reserve early.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Montreal in December turns inward. The air carries woodsmoke and roasting chestnuts from street vendors. Daylight shrinks to a pale blue window, the sun rising near eight and setting by four. Long, crisp shadows slide across stone facades. Life slows. Mornings start later, evenings earlier. Locals dive into cafes, bistros, the underground maze beneath the city. They move fast, wrapped in wool and down, breath clouding as they duck between Metro warmth and their next stop. Expect highs just below freezing, lows well into the negatives. About ten days bring precipitation, usually fine, dry snow that dusts Old Montreal's cobblestones. Humidity makes the cold bite harder than the drier chill of January or February. Layer. Hunt warmth. Eat. December funnels you indoors, toward history, food markets, social rituals built for the cold. Embrace the weather. When you pick where to stay in Montreal, stay close to the Metro or the underground links. You'll find a second city below the streets. December events aren't locked in. Yet the mood is fixed. The food scene, steaming soup to slow-cooked meats, becomes the main event. It is the simplest answer to winter.
Curling Experience in Montreal
guided_experienceA Curling Experience in Montreal drops you into a Canadian winter ritual. Feel cool granite under your palm, hear the stone's low rumble on pebbled ice, watch brushes tweak its path. Guides turn spectators into players inside the echoing rink.
you play a living chunk of Canadian culture, far from the souvenir trail.
Insider tip: wear warm, flexible layers and clean, grippy sneakers. The club supplies the slider.
This month: the indoor ice ignores December's weather swings.
Underground city & Downtown. Great way to stay warm!
otherThe Underground city & Downtown tour reveals Montreal's winter blueprint. Miles of climate-controlled corridors, atriums, plazas link Metro stations, malls, offices, universities. You'll see brutalist concrete from the Sixties, modern glass gallerias, and steady 20°C air that keeps life moving no matter the blizzard overhead.
it shows how half the city survives for five months.
Insider tip: start at Place-des-Arts Metro to hit the biggest interior spaces first.
This month: in December the underground turns into an important civic artery.
Full Day Family Bike Rental
day_tripA Full Day Family Bike Rental still works in winter. Montreal plows and salts many bike paths. You'll feel cold air whip your face, see parks and riverfront in monochrome, hear snow crunch under fat tires.
it proves the city's bike culture never hibernates.
Insider tip: choose fat-tire bikes for grip, and confirm locks, helmets, repair kits are included.
This month: wear windproof athletic layers. Speed plus December air creates savage wind chill.
Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal Walking Tour
walking_tourThe Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal Walking Tour threads narrow, cobbled lanes where stone walls hoard the cold. Guides spin tales of fur-trade wars, British conquest, and rebellion. You'll see 18th-century carved doors, iron fire marks, and feel uneven stones underfoot.
stories turn a pretty stroll into a narrative.
Insider tip: book the first tour of the day and you'll own the shadows before the crowds arrive.
This month: short days mean the tour ends in dusky blue light, good for photos.
Private Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour W/ 8 Tastings
foodThe Private Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour W/ 8 Tastings runs even when snow drifts against the market walls. Inside the covered pavilions you'll smell aged Parmesan, earthy parsnips, and wood-fired bagels steaming in the cold. Eight stops include slow-cured coppa, jarred tomatoes, and hot espresso shots.
you meet the artisans who stock Montreal's best restaurants.
Insider tip: arrive hungry and ask what preserves or ferments shine in a December pantry.
This month: winter produce is dense, hearty, and good for the season.
Where to Stay in Montreal in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December through early January
Luminothérapie
Forget the tinsel. Montréal's Quartier des Spectacles becomes a free, open-air gallery of light, video and sound every December. You step inside a forest of singing tubes. Shadows leap into wolves on a three-storey wall. Cold night? No. Playground for senses.
Late November through late December
Marché de Noël Allemand (German Christmas Market)
Bratwurst sizzles. Gingerbread perfumes the air. Glühwein steams. Wooden chalets line the Quartier des Spectacles like a postcard Alpine village. Watch glass-blowers spin molten baubles. A choir lifts carols above the hum. Warmth wins against winter dark.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Montreal Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the sidewalk crush. Ride the elevator to Place Ville-Marie's heated lookout. 360-degree glow, zero frostbite.
Locals dodge Schwartz's line. They hit The Main one block over for same smoked meat in minutes. Snowdon Deli delivers old-school vibe faster.
Above-ground metro platforms become wind tunnels. Walk one stop to Berri-UQAM, McGill or Bonaventure for indoor warmth. Smart move.
BIXI keeps studded bikes rolling through winter. App shows live station counts. Dress right and pedal the plowed lanes. Fun, fast.
Avoid These Mistakes
A 15-minute map walk becomes an arctic expedition at -8°C. Plan tighter neighborhood loops. Metro links districts. Conserve heat.
Sweaters alone surrender to the river wind. Bring windproof shell. Thermometer lies. Wind tells truth.
Night falls at 16:30. Cold drains energy. Book one major outdoor activity daily. Keep indoor backups. Pace yourself.
Explore More Activities in Montreal
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Montreal.
See All Montreal Tours on Viator