Things to Do in Montreal in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Montreal
Long-run averages for December
29°F (-1°C)
High Temp
16°F (-8°C)
Low Temp
3.6 inches (91 mm)
Rainfall
79%
Humidity
1
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ 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
Curling Experiences
Embrace Canadian winter. Try curling on an indoor rink. Hear granite scrape ice. Shout strategy. Share post-game beers. Surprisingly physical, social. Book ahead for groups.
Booking Tip: Look for packages with equipment rental and a certified instructor. Sessions run 1.5-2 hours. Check current availability in the booking section below.
Underground City & Downtown Walking Tours
December turns the underground tour into survival strategy plus history lesson. A guide leads you through hidden RÉSO arteries. Learn how tunnels shaped modern Montreal. Stay warm. Walk from Brutalist Place Ville-Marie to glassy Place Montréal Trust. Holiday frenzy hums above.
Booking Tip: Pick small-group tours focused on architecture and history. They grant better access and sharper commentary than big walks. Use the widget for underground specialists.
Private Driving Tours
A heated private vehicle is December luxury. Link distant gems fast: Mount Royal lookout, Île Notre-Dame lights, Outremont house displays. Skip frozen bus stops. A driver-guide times the route to fading light. You see each neighborhood at its best.
Booking Tip: Book early-afternoon tours to catch natural light. Shift to illuminated cityscape after sunset. Confirm heated seats and flexible itinerary.
Artisan Craft Workshops
December turns Montreal inward, toward craft. Join a leatherworking or pen-making workshop in a Plateau studio. Smell beeswax and tanning oil. Spend warm, focused hours with a local artisan. Leave with a hand-made belt, journal, or pen. Better than any mall trinket.
Booking Tip: Locals pack these workshops for gifts. Reserve one or two weeks ahead. Choose studios that supply all materials and hands-on instruction.
Food & Market Tours of the Old Port & Atwater
Winter rewires the food scene. A guided tour cuts straight to seasonal hits: steaming tourtière in an Old Port tavern, aged cheddars and fromage en crotte at Atwater Market, hot apple cider spiked with local ice cider at a Marché de Noël stall. Taste in warming order, market to bistro.
Booking Tip: Pick tours that spotlight winter and holiday foods. Morning tours grab fresh market picks. Evening tours lean into cozy bistro glow. Check current options in the booking tools.
Where to Stay in Montreal in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-NB, CA-NS, CA-ON, CA-PE.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-NB, CA-NS, CA-ON, CA-PE.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-NB, CA-NS, CA-ON, CA-PE.
Packing Checklist
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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.
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Top-rated things to do in Montreal this December
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