Things to Do in Montreal in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Montreal
Long-run averages for November
42°F (6°C)
High Temp
28°F (-1°C)
Low Temp
3.3 inches (84 mm)
Rainfall
79%
Humidity
2
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Black ice can coat sidewalks and roads overnight, after rain followed by a freeze. Tread carefully, at dawn.
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Crowds at the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts have thinned. You can finally see the stained glass. You can stand before a Riopelle without summer's crush. The silence feels like a private viewing. Worth it.
- + Hotel rates drop the moment peak season ends. A stone-fronted classic in the Golden Square Mile can cost the same as a generic chain in October. Book the suite with the high ceilings. You earned it.
- + Schwartz's on Saint-Laurent feels local again. Steam from La Banquise poutine hits harder in the chill. St-Viateur Bagel in Mile End smells like home. The line moves fast. Bring cash.
- + November strings lights along Sainte-Catherine. Carpenters hammer the Old Port Christmas markets into shape. You watch the city dress up. No December frenzy yet. Snap photos now.
Considerations
- − Expect 6°C (42°F) sunshine on Monday. Tuesday can bring grey drizzle and slick cobblestones. Pack layers. Pack an umbrella. Mount Royal still shines if you time it right.
- − Terrasse season is dead. Outdoor pools are locked. Tam-tams on Mount Royal have packed up. The drums will return in spring. Accept it.
- − Sun sets around 4:30 PM. Sightsee between 11 AM and 3 PM. Nights belong to streetlights and bars. Plan accordingly. Bring a headlamp for photos.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Underground City Exploration
November's secret weapon is the RÉSO. Wind off the St. Lawrence drives locals underground. You walk for kilometres from Quartier des Spectacles to the Eaton Centre without seeing sky. Footsteps echo. Air smells sterile. Smoked meat mingles with perfume at Place Ville-Marie. Feels like a spy tunnel.
Booking Tip: No booking needed. A guided walk adds context to the 33-kilometre (20.5-mile) maze. Choose architecture or urban history. Tours run daily. Check the booking section below.
Curling Experiences
November ice is fresh. Curling clubs buzz with league practice. You hear granite scrape and shouts of "Hard!" Sweeping is harder than it looks. Drinks follow. Wood paneling and team jackets complete the ritual. Try it.
Booking Tip: Weekend slots sell out. Book one or two weeks ahead. Intro sessions include gear and coaching. Check the widget for live availability. Bring grippy shoes.
Private City Driving Tours
Rain cancels nothing on a car tour. Roll up the window on Saint-Laurent. Stop at Camilien-Houde for the skyline shot. Griffintown, Westmount, Mile End in one afternoon. Watch leaves fade and lights flicker on. Stay dry.
Booking Tip: Private tours let you pivot when weather turns. Expert local guides, not just drivers. Compare operators in the booking section. Ask for thermos stops. Worth the splurge.
Hands-On Craft Workshops
Grey days drive creatives indoors. Leather smells rich in a Saint-Henri studio. Wood shavings fly on a Plateau lathe. You leave with a belt or a pen you made. One-of-a-kind souvenir. Book early.
Booking Tip: Classes cap at six students. Weekend slots vanish weeks ahead. Seek artisans with teaching chops. Check Instagram for real-time pics. Bring an apron.
Museum & Gallery Days
Museums become November refuges. The Musée d'art contemporain glows artificial. McCord Stewart hums with quiet stories. Fall exhibitions run uncrowded. You stand alone with a David Altmejd. Bliss.
Booking Tip: Downtown museums sit within a ten-minute walk. Grab a museum pass for three or more. Timed tickets still beat small queues. Check websites the night before. Stay warm.
Where to Stay in Montreal in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
Public Holidays in November
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Armistice Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-NL.
Remembrance Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-BC, CA-NB, CA-NT, CA-NS, CA-NU, CA-PE, CA-SK, CA-YT.
Armistice Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-NL.
Remembrance Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-BC, CA-NB, CA-NT, CA-NS, CA-NU, CA-PE, CA-SK, CA-YT.
Armistice Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-NL.
Remembrance Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-AB, CA-BC, CA-NB, CA-NT, CA-NS, CA-NU, CA-PE, CA-SK, CA-YT.
Packing Checklist
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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
Forget conquering the Underground City. Use it like a local tool. Pick two distant points, say the Bell Centre and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and let the RÉSO bridge the gap. You'll bump into a hidden food court or a surprise art piece you'd never hunt down on purpose.
Locals don't hibernate. They relocate the party. After 5 PM, energy drains from outdoor terrasses into the Plateau's intimate, smoky jazz bars, downtown's neon cocktail basements, and Little Burgundy's steamy bistros. Follow the window glow.
See a line down the block? Join it. This rule holds for bagels at Fairmount or St-Viateur, the wood-fired scent is a dead giveaway, for smoked meat at Schwartz's, the peppery brine hangs thick, or for poutine at a classic joint. November queues move fast and feel like a neighborhood huddle.
Own the cinq à sept. From five to seven, post-work crowds cram bars across Montreal for a decompressing drink. Grab a barstool, order a local microbrew or a glass of Quebec cider, and eavesdrop on the French-English chatter swirling around you.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't lowball walking distances. Montreal rewards feet. Yet in November a 25-minute summer stroll can turn into a frigid slog. Ride the metro freely; it's clean, fast, and keeps your spirit intact for the real stops.
Skip the bulky sweater stack. One thick wool pullover leaves you sweating on the train and shivering outside. Technical layers rule, no negotiation.
Stop cramming ten stops into one day. Short daylight and weather battles mean two solid moves, say a museum plus a long lunch, beat five rushed checkboxes every time.
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Top-rated things to do in Montreal this November
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