Montreal in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Montreal

5°C (42°F) High Temp

-2°C (28°F) Low Temp

84mm (3.3 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Lowest hotel rates of the year - save 40-60% compared to summer and festival periods, with luxury hotels offering winter packages starting at CAD $120/night
No tourist crowds at major attractions - walk into Basilique Notre-Dame without reservations, explore Old Montreal cobblestone streets without dodging tour groups
Peak season for Montreal's renowned restaurant scene - new menu launches, holiday specialties, and easier reservations at normally booked-solid establishments like Joe Beef and Le Bernardin
Authentic local atmosphere - experience how Montrealers actually live, with cozy café culture, underground city exploration, and pre-holiday energy without tourist performance

Considerations

Harsh weather reality - temperatures hover around freezing with frequent rain turning to sleet, creating slippery sidewalks and genuinely uncomfortable outdoor conditions
Limited outdoor activities - Mount Royal hiking trails become muddy and treacherous, Lachine Canal biking is miserable, and Old Port outdoor attractions close or reduce hours significantly
Unpredictable weather swings - one day may hit 8°C (46°F) and sunny, the next drops to -5°C (23°F) with freezing rain, making daily planning difficult

Best Activities in November

Underground City Exploration and Shopping

November is perfect for discovering Montreal's 32km (20-mile) RESO network - the world's largest underground pedestrian system. With surface weather being unpredictable and often miserable, locals spend entire days underground moving between shopping centers, hotels, metro stations, and offices. The underground city connects over 120 exterior access points and 1,700 shops. November's weather makes this an essential rather than optional experience.

Booking Tip: Free to explore on your own - start at Place Ville Marie or Complexe Desjardins. Self-guided walking maps available at metro stations. Underground tours typically cost CAD $25-35 per person and book 3-5 days ahead through local walking tour companies. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Museum and Cultural Institution Tours

November weather drives both locals and visitors indoors, making this peak season for Montreal's world-class museums. The Musée des beaux-arts has fewer crowds, Pointe-à-Callière archaeology museum offers extended evening hours, and the Biodôme provides tropical climate escape. Many institutions launch special exhibitions in November to capture local winter audiences.

Booking Tip: Individual museum tickets range CAD $15-25, but multi-museum passes (CAD $45-65) pay off if visiting 3+ locations. Book time-slot tickets online for popular special exhibitions 1-2 weeks ahead. See current museum tour packages in booking section below.

Food Market and Culinary Walking Tours

November marks the beginning of Montreal's serious food season. Jean-Talon Market showcases Quebec's preserved autumn harvest, Atwater Market features holiday specialties, and indoor food halls become social hubs. This is when restaurant chefs debut winter menus featuring local ingredients like maple products, root vegetables, and preserved meats. The weather actually enhances the experience - ducking into warm food stalls and cozy bistros.

Booking Tip: Guided food tours typically cost CAD $65-95 per person and include 5-7 tastings plus market visits. Book 5-10 days ahead as November tours fill up with locals celebrating pre-holiday season. Self-guided market visits are free. See current culinary tour options in booking section below.

Spa and Thermal Bath Experiences

November's cold, damp weather makes this the ideal time for Montreal's Nordic spa culture. Scandinave Spa and other thermal facilities see peak local usage as the weather turns harsh. The contrast between cold outdoor air and hot thermal pools becomes more dramatic and therapeutic. Many spas offer November-specific packages combining thermal circuits with massage treatments.

Booking Tip: Day passes typically cost CAD $55-85 per person, with package deals (thermal + massage) ranging CAD $150-250. Book weekends 2-3 weeks ahead, weekdays 5-7 days ahead. November is shoulder season pricing before December premium rates kick in. See current spa packages in booking section below.

Distillery and Brewery Indoor Tours

Montreal's craft beverage scene thrives in November as locals seek warm indoor social activities. This is harvest season for local distilleries producing maple spirits and seasonal beers. Many breweries in Mile End and Dakar neighborhoods offer cozy tasting rooms perfect for November weather. Distillery tours include heating samples - ideal when it's freezing outside.

Booking Tip: Individual brewery visits are typically CAD $10-15 for flights, distillery tours range CAD $25-45 including tastings. Multi-stop tours cost CAD $75-120 per person. Book weekend tours 1-2 weeks ahead, as locals heavily use these during November weather. See current brewery tour options in booking section below.

Indoor Markets and Artisan Workshops

November weather drives Montreal's artisan community indoors, with many craft workshops, pottery studios, and maker spaces offering hands-on experiences. Marché Bonsecours and other covered markets become gathering spaces. This is pre-holiday season when local artisans launch new products and offer workshop experiences that tourists rarely discover in summer months.

Booking Tip: Workshop experiences range CAD $35-75 per person for 2-3 hour sessions. Market visits are free but guided artisan tours cost CAD $30-50. Book workshops 1-2 weeks ahead as locals participate heavily in November indoor activities. See current workshop tours in booking section below.

November Events & Festivals

Early to Mid November

Coup de Coeur Francophone Festival

Montreal's celebration of French-language music from around the world, featuring artists from Quebec, France, Africa, and the Caribbean. Perfect for November's indoor entertainment needs with intimate venue performances across the city.

Late November

Black Friday Shopping Events

Montreal retailers participate heavily in Black Friday with significant discounts at major shopping centers like Eaton Centre, Place Ville Marie, and Complexe Desjardins - all accessible through the underground city network, making November weather irrelevant.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof winter boots with good tread - sidewalks become ice rinks when rain freezes, and you'll walk on wet cobblestones in Old Montreal daily

Layered system: thermal base layer, insulating fleece/wool mid-layer, waterproof outer shell - temperatures swing 10°C (18°F) daily and indoor heating is aggressive

Waterproof gloves and warm hat - November wind off the St. Lawrence River cuts through regular accessories, and you'll be outdoors waiting for metros and walking between buildings

Quality umbrella that won't invert in wind - cheap umbrellas die instantly in Montreal November gusts, and you'll use it 10+ days

Wool or synthetic blend socks - cotton socks become uncomfortable when wet from rain/slush, and your feet will get wet despite best efforts

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries 30-40% faster, and you'll rely on navigation apps more in unfamiliar underground city routes

Small daypack with waterproof cover - for carrying layers as you move between frigid outdoors and overheated indoors, plus protecting electronics from rain

Moisturizer and lip balm - indoor heating combined with outdoor cold/wind creates skin issues that tourists don't anticipate

Slip-on shoes for indoor spaces - many restaurants, spas, and cultural sites expect shoe removal, and you'll want easy transitions from outdoor boots

Cash in small bills (CAD $5, $10, $20) - many small cafés, food stalls, and tip situations don't accept cards, and tipping culture is strong in service industries

Insider Knowledge

Master the underground metro system early in your trip - download STM app for real-time updates, buy OPUS card for easy travel, and memorize key underground connection points like Place Ville Marie, Complexe Desjardins, and Gare Centrale to minimize surface exposure

November is when locals restaurant-hop seriously - make reservations at acclaimed spots like Joe Beef, Le Bernardin, or Au Pied de Cochon 2-3 weeks ahead, as this is when Montrealers themselves celebrate before holiday season restrictions

Shop at Jean-Talon and Atwater markets between 10am-noon on weekdays when vendors are most talkative and offer samples - avoid weekends when local families crowd the spaces, and bring small bills for easier transactions

Use November weather as an advantage for photography - dramatic skies, moody lighting, and authentic Montreal atmosphere without summer tourist crowds blocking iconic shots of Old Montreal architecture and St. Lawrence River views

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how cold and miserable November weather actually feels - tourists pack for 'cool weather' but 2°C (36°F) with 70% humidity and wind feels much colder than dry cold climates

Planning too many outdoor walking tours and sightseeing - November weather makes outdoor activities genuinely unpleasant rather than just requiring extra clothes, focus indoor experiences and short outdoor bursts

Not learning underground city navigation before arrival - tourists waste time and get soaked trying to figure out surface routes when locals move entirely underground during November weather