Canada, North America

Montreal in January

Deep winter, cheap hotels, and Igloofest's outdoor dance parties on the Old Port. Fun if you dress for it, miserable if you do not.

TradeoffsFrigid, highs near 22F (-6C), snow and wind

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

The straight answer

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Montreal. Deep winter, cheap hotels, and Igloofest's outdoor dance parties on the Old Port. Fun if you dress for it, miserable if you do not.

Weather: Frigid, highs near 22F (-6C), snow and wind
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What January is like in Montreal

January in Montreal is deep winter. Highs sit near 22F (-6C), snow and wind are common, and some days feel far colder. The upside is that hotels are at their cheapest and crowds are thin. Museums, restaurants and the underground indoor city keep running, and the Old Port turns into a skating rink.

This month suits budget travelers, food lovers and anyone who enjoys winter and packs for it. It is a poor fit for people who want to wander outdoors for hours or who dread the cold. If you want warm, easy sightseeing, come June through September instead.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Montreal this month.

Igloofest

Outdoor electronic music parties at the Old Port on weekend nights from mid January. Snowsuits are the dress code.

Skating in the city

The Old Port rink and Beaver Lake on Mount Royal are the classic winter outings for families and couples.

Cheap hotels, easy tables

Rates are near their lowest of the year, and top restaurants are easier to book than in summer.

Museum days

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Pointe-a-Calliere make warm, rewarding breaks from the cold.

What to pack for January

Insulated, waterproof winter boots
A warm parka with a hood
Thermal base layers
A neck gaiter, warm hat and mittens

Our timing tip

Use the metro and the indoor city to move between neighborhoods, and save your outdoor time for skating or an Igloofest night.

Book Montreal for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Montreal
Opens a hotel search for Montreal in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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 January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

Igloofest

Weekend nights from mid January into early February

An outdoor electronic music festival at the Old Port in subzero cold. Snowsuits are the dress code.

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.

Montreal in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Montreal?

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Montreal. Deep winter, cheap hotels, and Igloofest's outdoor dance parties on the Old Port. Fun if you dress for it, miserable if you do not.

What is the weather like in Montreal in January?

Frigid, highs near 22F (-6C), snow and wind.

Is Montreal crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Montreal; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Montreal in January?

Igloofest (weekend nights from mid january into early february).