Canada, North America

Montreal in December

Holiday markets and the first real snow. Quiet and cheap outside Christmas and New Year.

Quiet valueCold and snowy, highs near 28F (-2C)

The Montreal skyline from the St. Lawrence — MontrealPhoto: abdallahh from Montréal, Canada, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

December is a quiet, good-value month to visit Montreal. Holiday markets and the first real snow. Quiet and cheap outside Christmas and New Year.

Weather: Cold and snowy, highs near 28F (-2C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Montreal

December brings cold and the first real snow, with highs near 28F (-2C). Holiday markets and lights brighten the city, and skating returns to the Old Port once it gets cold enough. Outside Christmas and New Year, the city is quiet and hotels are cheap.

It suits families and couples who want a snowy, festive city break at a fair price. Travelers who hate the cold should wait for May through October. If you want winter festivals like Igloofest, aim for mid January instead. Christmas and New Year weeks cost more, so book those early.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Montreal this month.

Holiday markets and lights

Seasonal markets and lights pop up around the city, especially pretty in Old Montreal after a fresh snowfall.

Skating season begins

The Old Port rink and, once frozen, Beaver Lake on Mount Royal become the classic family outings.

AURA at Notre-Dame Basilica

The evening light show inside the basilica makes a warm, memorable indoor night.

What to pack for December

Insulated winter boots
A warm parka
Mittens, a hat and a scarf
Thermal layers for skating

Our timing tip

Travel in the first half of December for the lowest rates and a festive feel before the holiday rush.

Book Montreal for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Montreal
Opens a hotel search for Montreal in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Montreal
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Montreal
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Montreal for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Montreal

Full guide

Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica

Cobblestones, the Old Port, and the basilica's blue and gold interior. The evening AURA light show inside is worth a booking.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mount Royal

Walk up to the Kondiaronk lookout for the city view. Sunday afternoon tam-tams by the George-Etienne Cartier monument in summer are a local ritual.

Tickets and tours →

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

One of Canada's leading art museums, spread over five pavilions on Sherbrooke Street.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Jean-Talon Market

One of North America's largest open-air markets, open year-round. Visit in late summer for the Quebec harvest.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Space for Life: Botanical Garden, Biodome, and Insectarium

Big, family-friendly, and great in any season. The Gardens of Light lanterns run in fall.

Tickets and tours →

Parc Jean-Drapeau

The island park of Expo 67 and the Grand Prix circuit, with the Biosphere, a beach, and summer festivals.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit Old Montreal early in the morning or on weekday evenings; weekend afternoons and cruise days fill Place Jacques-Cartier.
Check the festival calendar before booking: the Grand Prix weekend and the Jazz Festival push hotel rates sharply higher, while the weeks around them are much cheaper.
Go in September for summer weather at shoulder-season prices once the festival rush has ended.
For winter trips, use the indoor city and the metro to move between neighborhoods and save the outdoor time for the festival nights.

Know before you go

July 1 is Canada Day and also Quebec's traditional moving day, when leases turn over. Streets fill with moving trucks, and some businesses close.
June 24, the Fete nationale, is a public holiday in Quebec with some closures and big free concerts.
Terraces, the Old Port attractions, and many seasonal activities run roughly May to October. In winter, the Old Port turns to skating, and the indoor city keeps shopping running.
Sugar shacks outside the city are seasonal, mostly March and April, and popular ones need reservations.