10 Things to Do in Montreal in Winter

Explore Canada's cultural capital in winter and prepare to be captivated by its seasonal charm. While it may seem challenging to brave the cold temperatures, the list of things to see and do in Montreal is extensive during the winter season.

From skiing around the city, to enjoying the snow-covered nature parks and sports such as snowboarding and ice skating, to browsing the Christmas markets and sampling the maple sugar and foie gras-based Christmas delicacies, there is something for everyone. With a variety of activities, discover the top 12 must-see things to do in Montreal in winter.

If you're looking for a unique and intriguing event to attend in Montreal, be sure to visit Luminothérapie. This exhibition offers mesmerising light and sound shows to present renewed exhibitions such as "The Domino Effect" or "Impulse". Here the mission is to explore to the maximum the effects of light and sound combined in a harmonious symphony of special effects.

From the end of November until the end of January, you can explore and enjoy the themed installation of the year. In addition, you can use the Montreal sightseeing bus, the metro or other public transportation to reach the Quartier-des-Spectacles Festival site located at 1435, Saint-Alexandre St., Suite. Luminothérapie. This is the perfect way to enjoy the winter and compensate for the reduced daylight hours.

Montreal is a winter wonderland and you'll be visiting at its best time to play in the snow and make the most of it. You can take the tour bus to Mont-Royal Park which offers electric bike rides, snowshoeing, hiking, snow tubing or cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing.

Alternatively, head to Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park, Montreal's largest, where you can go sledding, carriage riding, a variety of self-guided snowshoe trails, and even cross-country skiing.

Or, if you'd rather get a little further from downtown, venture out on one of the best day trips from Montreal and visit the Laurentian mountains of Mont-Tremblant National Park. It's about an hour and a half from the city, but can be reached by bus. The alpine ski resort offers multiple runs for beginners and intermediates.

Near the end of the winter season you can take part in the Montreal Festival of Lights, also known as the Montreal en Lumière, the largest and most comprehensive winter festival in Canada's cultural capital.

During this festival you can participate in numerous outdoor activities, dance performances, theatre, concerts, circus, skating competitions, art and technology exhibitions, wine tastings and themed activities. The almost endless display of lights will guide you throughout the Quartier Des Spectacles, which can be reached by a Montreal tour, car, bike or even public transport.

To join this event, simply schedule your visit among the things to do in Montreal in February in the last week of the month.

In the US, Coachella has become the music festival of choice, while its Canadian counterpart goes by another name: Igloofest, an annual electronic music festival held in charming Old Port.

What started as a modest event in 2007 has grown into a massive celebration. And how could it not, the Igloofest lineup has brought together some of the world's best DJs and emerging electronic music talent, with names such as Fatboy Slim, Apashe, Diplo, Bonobo, Tiesto and Claptone among many others.

There are 12 nights between mid-January and early February where you can warm up with non-stop dancing. In addition to the music, Igloofest is known for its vibrant and energetic atmosphere. Attendees are immersed in a unique experience as many of them dress up in extravagant neon ski suits, ice queen attire, fur coats and much more.

How to get to Igloofest? Just take the tour bus, or any public transport and get off at Old Montreal and immerse yourself in the excitement of Igloofest! In Montreal's picturesque Old Port, art and culture are brimming in the streets and await your visit.

One of the most magical experiences you can have in Montreal during the winter is to ride the Grand Ferris Wheel. Located in the Old Port area, this illuminated Ferris wheel offers breathtaking views and an excellent perspective of the city from a height of 60 metres.

The ride on the Ferris wheel takes approximately 20 minutes and can be done in private or shared gondolas for added comfort. From the Ferris wheel, you can see not only the city's winter ice rinks, but also iconic landmarks such as the Notre-Dame Basilica, the charming Place Jacques-Cartier, the St Lawrence River and the top of Mont-Royal Park.

This attraction is especially charming during the winter, when the city is covered in snow and the lights illuminate the landscape. Climbing the Grande Ferris wheel is a great way to admire the beauty of Montreal from above and create unforgettable memories.

Montreal' s Notre-Dame Basilica is a must-see attraction on the best Montreal tours at any time of the year, but during the winter months it offers a sound and light show called AURA that transforms the basilica into a mesmerising mix of coloured lights, organ music and sublime architecture.

This work by New York architect James O'Donnell represents the city's identity concentrated in a single church since 1824. From the modest exterior, Notre-Dame Basilica will leave you in awe of its incredible painted ceiling, ornate architecture and beautiful decorations.

Don't miss the opportunity to admire Notre-Dame Basilica at its best to immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of this historic site during your winter visit to Montreal.

Winter in Canada runs from late November to February and one of the must-do seasonal activities is shopping, so don't miss out on browsing **Montreal'**s Christmas markets.

These markets offer an enchanting experience with mulled wine, delicious sugar tarts and a wide variety of handmade gifts, candles, foie gras crafts and delicacies, and of course maple sugar and other local products. Throughout the city you will find a variety of Christmas markets including:

• Montreal's Nutcracker Market or The Nutcracker Market , is located in the Palais des Congrès and offers Christmas decorations, artisan foods, jewellery, toys and a host of solutions for fashionistas.
• Montreal's Christmas Village or Marché Atwater, located at Atwater Markets, concentrates the best of local gastronomy in more than 50 booths with gourmet olive oils, spices, maple sugar derivatives and seasonal fruits - above all, it's the market of Christmas delights.

Later in December, Merry Montreal opens its doors in Champ-de-Mars, a famous area of Old Port Montreal. It is at this time that the markets of the "Christmas in the Park" circuit are present in the following places: Place Émilie-Gamelin, Parc des Compagnons de Saint-Laurent and Parc Lahaie, some of the city's most popular parks.

They all combine traditional Christmas activities with public art exhibitions, sleigh rides, regional food tastings and lively street parties for free or at very reasonable prices. This is definitely a great time of year for a city tour - don't miss out!

Temperatures are quite low in Canada and even colder in winter, so we need to warm up our bodies and the best thing to do is to enjoy its gastronomy which, thanks to its multicultural offer, offers options for all tastes. You can try their famous bagels in shops open 24 hours a day. Can you believe it? The love for these bagels is endless.

There are also options such as pumpkin cream or duck fat turkey, shrimp cocktails and sensation salads. As you'll see duck fat is a constant, but if you ask for the 3 dishes you shouldn't miss they are:

• Smoked meat starts with this Montreal specialty that is seasoned and cured for a week, the result is their quintessential fast food: smoked meat.
• Maple syrup in speciality shops like Montreal Delices Erable & Cie. where you can sample and take home your favourites after sampling these delicacies in the maple products capital of the world.
• Finally, try poutine, a quintessentially Canadian dish. Poutine became popular in Montreal in the 1990s and can now be found almost everywhere in the city.

There are some must-do activities during your visit to Montreal, such as getting tickets to ice hockey games, curling and, of course, ice skating. This is the perfect place to test your skills or just enjoy a fun ride on the ice. The city has over a hundred public skating rinks to explore.

You can rent skates at various parks and ice rinks scattered throughout the city. Here are some recommended options:

• The Esplanade Tranquille, is free and was created to complement the range of options available in the Quartier des Spectacles, so fun is the order of the day here.
• Parc La Fontaine, another free option, immerses you in an enchanting fairytale world with its winding paths around the Plateau-Mont-Royal.
• The Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, an 11-hectare space, offers a thrilling challenge for experienced skaters. In addition, you will find two ice hockey rinks for a complete hockey country experience.
• The Old Port Rink is one of the most picturesque and scenic rinks in the city as it is surrounded by Montreal's historic city centre.

Ice fishing in Montreal is a classic winter activity not to be missed, especially if you're a beginner.

During your visit, you might consider booking a tour with a guide to teach you the skills you need to master this fun sport. One of the most popular places to ice fish is Pêche Blanche Ice Fishing Village in Old Montreal, where you can fish for perch and pike-perch.

One of the things to do in Montreal with kids at Christmas time is to enjoy the Father Christmas Parade which takes place from late November at the beginning of the winter season.

This festive event, traditional for over 70 years, features glittering floats, lively marching bands and talented performers parading through the heart of downtown Montreal. The highlight of the parade is when the little ones catch a glimpse of Father Christmas riding in his sleigh, and delightful memories are made.

The route often follows along Sainte-Catherine Street West, but it can vary annually so I recommend following the details on their website. Best of all, it's always accessible even with the city's tour bus, so you won't miss out on this legendary event.

How many cities can you ski across? This is a very original and highly recommended activity to enjoy with family or friends. Can you imagine the anecdotes of the ride? A ski tour of Montreal is the best!

Montreal has 200 km of well-maintained slopes, chalets and rental services. The most popular places are the Parc Jean-Drapeau for beginners, the Botanical Garden or the Lachine Canal, the immense Parc Cap-Saint-Jacques and, for more experienced skiers, the slopes of the Parc Mount Royal, located in the heart of the city.

Montreal is a cold city in winter. Average temperatures from late November to February range from -1°C to -11°C, which means there is a high probability of snowfall.

If you wrap up warm and dress appropriately, you'll be able to enjoy the city like the Montrealers, who are used to these low temperatures as all their activities are suited to exploring and adventuring in the cold.