Things to do in Montréal this December 2026

Welcome to Montréal!

To enjoy the best the city has to offer during your stay in December, please don't think of yourself as a tourist, but as one of us. Whether you're here for a few days, a few weeks or a few years, we're counting on you to enjoy Montréal in a spirit of respect, responsibility and celebration!

Throughout the city this December, enjoy winter holiday activities like the plenitude of Christmas markets, including the Montréal Christmas Village and The Great Christmas Market outdoors at Quartier des Spectacles, each a unique showcase for crafts and creativity in all its forms. 

1. Take in Santa’s Kingdom and the holiday show at Complexe Desjardins to kick off your Christmas spirit in style.
2. Then go ice skating at the nearby Esplanade Tranquille skating rink! You can rent skates or bring your own, learn a few moves from instructors, and on DJ nights go “dancing” on the ice.
3. From December 4 to 6, come celebrate the richness of Indigenous cultures at a one-of-a-kind event in Québec: the Marché autochtone d’hiver, a major gathering showcasing Indigenous artisans, artists, creators and entrepreneurs from across Québec taking place at the Parc national d’Oka.
4. The historic Ogilvy mechanized holiday window displays are an unmissable Christmas classic — the cute stuffed animals that enchanted kids for decades are now preserved and free to see both outside and inside the McCord Stewart Museum. 
5. Christmas in the Park brings music, hot beverages and Christmas cheer to Place Émilie-Gamelin downtown and in Parc des Compagnons and Parc Lahaie in the Plateau.
6. In Rosemont, visit Santa in his winter cabin and sip free hot chocolate on December 12 and 13, and cider around a massive Christmas tree at Le Chalet du Père Noël sur la Promenade Masson (with a chance to win prizes). 
7. In Old Montréal you can enjoy a Victorian Christmas at the historical house of Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier, until December 18. 
8. In lieu of a Christmas card, make memories with your family with a quick photoshoot in the picturesque backyard set of Maison Pépin or in the prettiest lane in Old Montréal, the Ruelle Saint-Amable.

Start checking off everyone on your list with our Montréal gift guide! And for all your other gifts, the holiday markets are fantastic for one-of-a-kind and locally made items, from home decor and art to jewellery and toys. And there are so many other options:

• Shop for gifts-to-self as well as others (everyone needs new winter wardrobe staples and dinner-party glam) in Old Montréal’s boutiques, downtown along Sainte-Catherine Street and in the Underground City malls. Downtown’s Centre Eaton de Montréal and Place Montréal Trust transform in December, with gourmet surprises, a cappella choirs, a carousel ride, art workshops and more. Discover the latest styles there, including Uniqlo, Nike, Aritzia, Decathlon and many more boutiques (and remember to ask for a VIP Visitor Card at Guest Services for exclusive discounts only for tourists). 
• Don’t miss Salon des métiers d’art at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal from December 15 to 20, packed to the gills with top-notch artisans. 
• Treat your loved ones to a circus show to remember: tickets are on sale now for the next Cirque du Soleil show under the big top, in the Old Port of Montréal. 
• Keep your eye out for items made by Montréal designers, relaxing self-care staples and plenty of sparkly goods from the coolest Montréal jewellery stores.
• Find foodstuffs from local artisans as well as imported delicacies at Montréal’s public markets, and shop local and eco-friendly at the most fabulous vintage boutiques in the city.
• Pick out the perfect new books for friends and family from Montréal’s bookstores, and dive into a wide world of music at Montréal’s excellent vinyl stores.
• Forgot to pick up souvenirs? Fear not, YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airporthas got you covered. The focus on local goods in both the domestic and the international zones range from food to goods, yoga gear and novels by local authors. Start your foray at Découvrir Montréal. 

Wintry activities, attractions and tours

We hope you make yourself at home in Montréal’s incredible hotels — there’s an accommodation option for everyone, from landmark hotels to family friendly hotels and boutique hotels galore, most of which are dressed to the nines for the holidays.

• The easiest way to visit dozens of Montréal attractions, museums and more at a discount is by getting your own key to the city: Passeport MTL, whose special winter edition will help you experience the best of the season.
• In Old Montréal, walk the cobblestone streets to the St. Lawrence River and visit the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica — see the gorgeous multimedia AURA Experience, a wonderful way to feel the grandeur of this landmark.
• Downtown holds one of the city’s most lovely churches, the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, where you can admire the beautiful stained glass during services or during the regular organ concerts and a few holiday specials.
• In the Old Port of Montréal, after shooting a selfie at the glimmering BONJOUR structure, see views of the city and the river from Montréal’s Grand Quay, where you’ll find a cruise ship dock, marine history displays, green spaces and a new attraction: the Port of Montréal Tower. Nearby, treat yourself to bird’s-eye views on La Grande Roue de Montréal Observation Wheel.
• Stroll to the Esplanade Place Ville Marie to take a pic of the massive, glimmering art installation The Ring, or take a break for entertainment, a bit of ice skating and a snack at Esplanade Tranquille at the corner of Clark and Sainte-Catherine Street. 

• One of the best ways to discover the city is with expert guides on Montréal tours: don your winter gear and set your own agenda with private walking tours at your own pace. See the city like a local with MTL Detours, take a day trip outside the city with N-Tours or call upon the experts at Guidatours. For an unparalleled taste of the city, savour one of the expert two- or three-hour walking tours given by Local Montréal Food Tours — they range from Mile End to Old Montréal. You can enjoy bike tours too, through every season (extreme weather notwithstanding), with the experts at Montréal On Wheels. Montréal’s bike paths are cleared of snow all winter long.
• If you’re wondering why Montréal has so many colourful murals, hear more about them and their artists on a street art tour with Spade & Palacio, including the most recent murals from the 2026 MURAL Festival. For an electric bike tour of the murals (again, weather dependent), look to Fitz Montréal — their tours cover anything from downtown Montréal to Jean-Talon Market. To enjoy Montréal after dark, head out on the Montréal by Night Loop on GrayLine’s double decker bus! Enjoy the ambiance and watch as the city’s most vibrant districts come to life after dusk.
• You can also devise your own self-guided art tour (or follow one of their expertly curated ones) thanks to Art Public Montréal, a fountain of information on Montréal’s hundreds of public artworks that are viewable for free year-round. Explore their selection of podcasts, too, for the inside scoop.

TO GET AROUND TOWN

To get where you’re going hassle-free, public transportation is the way to go. The STM has special offers on fares and a handy tool to plan your trip quickly and efficiently. You can also download the Transit and Chrono apps for up-to-the minute bus schedules. 

Winter sports and relaxation

Cheer on the Montréal Canadiens as the NHL season hits a fever pitch with lots of nail-biting matches happening on home turf at the Bell Centre. See the whole month’s schedule here. And don’t skip the Montréal Vicitoire! As you await the return of soccer, football and basketball season, watch all sports you can handle at Montréal’s sports bars. Otherwise, here are 15 fun things to do: 

1. Get swinging with a foray into the circus arts (since Montréal is a bona fide capital of circus) at the Montréal Circus Academy, where you can learn flying trapeze, pole fitness, exotic pole dance, aerial silks, aerial hammock, straps, handstands, flexibility and more. 
2. The Grand Chelem Baseball Centre, located downtown, invites you to step up to the plate. Whether you’re an elite player or a casual hitter, Grand Chelem offers baseball and softball training for all levels and any age. 
3. Wanna play? Head to the Centre Eaton de Montréal where the PLAYBOX Centre has a game for everyone, from internationally renowned crane games to arcade games, skill games and VR attractions.  
4. Super Super at DIX30 in Brossard is another super lively, family-friendly option, while Royalmount has a very fun arcade at The Rec Room, next to the Cineplex cinema, where you can duke it out in VR games and more before munching burgers or nachos (with accompanying cocktails, for parents) at the onsite eateries. 
5. Head to the Casino de Montréal to play on life-size arcade games at their ARcade by Moment Factory gaming experience: a fusion of multimedia and video game technology in two play areas that pits teams against each other in six interactive games. Each game combines motion-detection, projection technologies and videogame mechanics. Montréal loves exploring the retro side of play with its selection of arcades.
6. Montréal Bowling is the perfect spot downtown to play a few rounds of bowling, play some pool, watch some sports, play some arcade games and grab some great snacks and cocktails.
7. If you’re feeling more artsy, Art Chaos is a fantastic family- or group-friendly activity in Mile End where you can paint crazy creations on rapidly spinning canvases. It’s a truly interactive experience. 
8. The West Island’s Ecomuseum Zoo is a wonderful place to glimpse local wildlife in their natural outdoor habitats and even have breakfast with some of them throughout the month.
9. Explore the many outdoor activities the city has in store, including the list of free things to do this season. 
10. See incredible city views from Mount Royal Park: head for a walk on the paths and up the stairs to the lookout, or bus or drive up to Beaver Lake. 
11. Stroll (or cross-country ski, or ice skate) around Parc La Fontaine, go to Saint-Michel neighbourhood’s Parc Frédéric-Back, or cross the river to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a riverside walk and a different view of the city. While there, visit the Espace pour la vie Biosphère too, for environment-focused exhibitions and more.
12. Speaking of Espace pour la vie museums, enjoy the Jardin botanique’s sprawling tropical greenhouse environments, a welcome hit of warmth on these cold days. Experience several wild ecosystems at the Biodôme (there are penguins, otters, monkeys and more), explore the mysteries of the universe at the Planétarium, and learn about the thousands of butterflies, moths and other insects at the Insectarium. 
13. For the ultimate relaxation session after a day of trekking (or just because you deserve it), visit Bota Bota, spa-sur-l’eau, a unique spa located in a pair of moored boats on the St. Lawrence River in the Old Port. Other world-class spas in the city include Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal, Avie Spa & Coiffure, Rainspa and Strøm Nordic Spa.
14. Feel like learning something? Make Montréal your best skillcation location ever with a slew of classes and workshops, including those at La Maison Générale in Mile End. 

Onstage this December

Montréal’s cultural calendar is packed this season, with entertainment for everyone on the city’s many stages. Among the world-class theatre, dance, opera, circus and more gracing the city’s stages throughout December, you’ll find:

• Running until December 20 at the Segal Theatre, Come from Away is a play about the kind-hearted people of Gander and the 7,000 passengers forced to land there when US airspace closed during the September 11 attacks.
• Want to deep dive into Montréal gaming over the holidays? Catch the live show of Assassin’s Creed, Heredis, from December 5 to 20 at Théâtre Maisonneuve. Watch as 17 performers deliver breathtaking acrobatics, parkour, choreographed combat and extraordinary physical feats against a backdrop of spectacular environments — plus it’s a prime example of Montréal’s contribution to the world gaming scene.
• The classic Nutcracker takes over Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier from December 5 to 30, a grandiose ballet featuring nearly 165 performers, accompanied by the music of the Grands Ballets Orchestra.
• From December 11 to 29, the beloved Québec Issime production Décembre returns to Salle Pierre-Mercure with its spectacular celebration of the holiday season.
• At the Hudson Village Theatre, catch the annual holiday pantomime: this year it’s Alice in Wonderland, running from December 11 to January 3. This playful, all-ages production promises singing, dancing and lots of laugh-out-loud silliness.
• Contemporary dance is on the menu from December 16 to 19 at Ludger-Duvernay Theatre, where you can catch Marie Chouinard, presenting a selection of solos and duets, followed by her dazzling Henri Michaux: Mouvements.
• Starting on December 17 and running into January, Théâtre Advienne Que Pourra presents a French and musically exuberant rendition of Le Magicien d’Oz at TOHU. Fun for the whole fam.
• On December 29 and 30, British comedy duo James & Jamesy bring their delightfully absurd O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy to Théâtre Jean-Duceppe. Expect a wonderfully eccentric blend of physical comedy, theatrical mischief and quintessentially British humour.

Winter art and exhibitions

The cold season is in hyperdrive in museums and galleries around town, so get your cultural fill in Montréal’s magnificent museums.

1. Visit the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts throughout December to see Montreal painter Allison Katz’s exhibition Jeu d’esprit, her first institutional solo exhibition in Quebec. Also catch Structures by Anne Kahane, who was one of the most important Montréal sculptors of her generation — the first female sculptor to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale.
2. The McCord Stewart Museum bridges past and present in its exhibitions, which throughout November includes askōhtēskanohwē ​by multidisciplinary visual artist Carrie Allison, part of the Artist-in-Residence program and the 8th edition of the Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone. Also showing this month, Sovereign Stitches + Wild Weaves brings together nearly 40 Indigenous artists whose work challenges the borders between contemporary art, culture, fashion, design, and customary practices.
3. Go to Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex in Old Montréal to board the good ship D’Iberville to embark on an immersive and interactive seafaring adventure taking place in the days of New France, with their permanent exhibition Come Aboard! Pirates or Privateers? Also on view is the exhibition Heroes of Greece: The Age of Troy, featuring a remarkable selection of close to 400 authentic objects from 28 Greek museums and archaeological sites.
4. You’ll also be near the kid-friendly Montréal Science Centre, where you can explore interactive exhibitions that investigate the scientific world, like the permanent exhibition Human: a voyage to the very heart of human evolution through a fully interactive and highly energetic environment. Explore – Life-Sized Science is a permanent exhibition that explains the wonders at work behind motion, air, light, water, geometry, matter and code via interactive games involving giant soap bubbles, water tables — even a crane.
5. At PHI, two exhibitions shine this month: Stephanie Comilang: ANTHEMS, exploring migration, technology, and the invisible networks that connect us, and Jean-François Bouchard: Turn or Burn, exploring the connections between belief, image, and power in the public sphere.
6. Visit MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises, a cutting-edge museum dedicated to the voices of Montrealers presiding over the corner of Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Sainte-Catherine. Throughout the month you can catch Detours – Urban Experiences, an immersive exhibition that takes you into the world of Montrealers with singular backgrounds, and the permanent exhibition MONTRÉAL: which highlights the diverse experiences that have contributed to the city’s distinctive characteristics while bringing its story to life on a human scale.
7. Travel back in time as you tour the rooms of Château Ramezay and visit the historical site of Château Dufresne near the Olympic Stadium. 
8. The Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréalexplores the history of medical care in Montréal. 
9. Not far from the city, climb aboard railway cars, learn about the history of the railroad and explore miniature railways at the Exporail the Canadian Railway Museum.
10. Discover the vivid history and present of Quebec ceramics at the Musée des métiers d’arts du Québec, and Canadian arts and crafts at large at La Guilde in the Golden Square Mile. 
11. Experience a massive immersive art experience in surround-sound and laser light at OASIS Immersion, where Root for Nature extrapolates on biodiversity in all its splendour.
12. Speaking of immersive experiences, the Fabulous FAB Exhibition is an all-around trippy space spanning three floors in the Centre Eaton de Montréal, where you can experience no less than 20 extraordinary worlds. 
13. And don’t forget Montréal’s plethora of small, independent art galleries, from Bradley Ertaskiran to Hugues Charbonneau, Galerie B-312, SBC Gallery and Ellephant downtown, Oboro and MAI in the Plateau, Centre Clark and Dazibao in Mile End, Galerie d’Outremont in (you guessed it) Outremont and many, many others in every neighbourhood.

Holiday concerts

Holiday concerts and theatrical events return in abundance this year, with everything from magnificent orchestral performances and candlelit carols to swinging jazz and soul-stirring gospel. Don’t miss these Christmas concerts to get you into the festive spirit:

1. More than 100 singers and musicians will raise the roof at the Maison symphonique on November 28, when the Jireh Gospel Choir and Montréal Gospel Choir present their annual Noël Gospel concert. Expect soaring harmonies, infectious energy and plenty of holiday joy.
2. Jazz meets Christmas nostalgia at Théâtre Fairmount on December 3, when Toronto pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo presents Under the Lights: A Tribute to the Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It’s a warm, jazzy celebration of the music that made Charlie Brown’s holiday special a seasonal classic.
3. The Lyric Theatre Singers bring their beloved Candlelight Christmas concerts back to Concordia University’s Loyola Chapel for four performances from December 3 to 6. Under guest musical director Chris Barillaro, the 46-member ensemble will perform everything from timeless carols to Broadway-style holiday showstoppers.
4. Jazz lovers, this one’s for you. Acclaimed Canadian chanteuse Holly Cole brings her sultry vocals and signature jazz stylings to Théâtre Outremont on December 4 for Swinging Christmas 2026 with STRINGS, a sophisticated spin on the holiday classics.
5. Canadian music legend Andy Kim brings together an all-star lineup for the 13th annual Andy Kim Christmas benefit concert on December 5 at Le Studio TD. Expect appearances by Glass Tiger’s Alan Frew, disco queen Patsy Gallant, J.D. Fortune and more, all in support of the National Music Centre and Montréal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
6. The Orchestre Métropolitain fills the spectacular Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal with glorious seasonal music on December 8. Conducted by Léa Moisan-Perrier, Choral Christmas at the Basilica promises a stirring musical experience.
7. The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal welcomes back Conductor Emeritus Kent Nagano for two performances of Bach’s magnificent Christmas Oratorio at the Maison symphonique on December 8 and 9. 
8. Experience the grandeur of Händel’s Messiah in the atmospheric crypt of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal on December 10, when the Orchestre Classique de Montréal presents its annual holiday concert. 
9. For another opportunity to hear one of the season’s most celebrated works, Ensemble Caprice presents Handel’s Messiah at the Maison symphonique on December 11. 
10. On December 13, Montréal’s own Martha and Rufus Wainwright join forces for Winter Harmonies at Monument-National. The celebrated siblings bring their unmistakable voices and musical artistry to an intimate holiday concert benefiting Centennial Academy, a school supporting students with learning differences.
11. The Taurey Butler Trio returns to Bourgie Hall at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts for four performances of its much-loved A Charlie Brown Christmas concerts on December 16 and 17. Joined by guest jazz vocalist Halie Loren, the trio puts a sophisticated, swinging spin on the nostalgic holiday soundtrack.
12. Québec’s traditional music takes centre stage on December 17, when the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal joins forces with acclaimed folk ensemble Le Vent du Nord for Holiday Traditions at the Maison symphonique. A lively celebration of the province’s musical heritage, with a festive orchestral twist.
13. Step into the magnificent Gothic Revival Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul for its hugely popular Carols by Candlelight concerts on December 19 and 20. With the A&P Choir performing beloved Christmas carols in the glow of candlelight, it’s hard to imagine a more atmospheric way to celebrate the season.
14. One of Montréal’s most cherished musical traditions returns on December 19 to 21, when Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads the Orchestre Métropolitain in its highly anticipated Holiday Melodies concerts at Maison symphonique. 
15. Beloved Québec tenor Marc Hervieux brings some serious swing to the Cabaret du Casino with Noël Big Band. Expect soaring vocals, festive favourites and the irresistible energy of a big-band Christmas celebration.
16. It may be December 26 and 27, but Christmas isn’t over yet! The spectacular Parapapam returns to Maison symphonique with a 35-piece orchestra led by Marianne Trudel, a choir of more than 100 voices and a star-studded cast including Mélissa Bédard, Patrick Normand and Nathalie Lord. It’s a glorious, larger-than-life celebration of the season’s most beloved carols.
17. Montréal soul queen Michelle Sweeney closes out the holiday concert season in spectacular fashion with her Gospel Brunch with Michelle Sweeney & The Gospel Tribe at Le Balcon on December 27. Come hungry for great food, powerhouse vocals and the kind of roof-raising gospel music that gets everyone out of their seats.

More live music in December

We’ve got the perfect overview of Montréal’s big, can’t-miss concerts of 2026 so you can plan your highlights of the year.

• Classical lovers will thrill at the Bach Festival, which presents more than 30 concerts featuring hundreds of incredible musicians, singers and conductors until December 7.
• There’s also a world of choice of classical concerts at Place des Arts this month, ranging from Stravinksy to Bach to Brahms and beyond. Plan your month here.
• At the Bell Centre this month, don’t miss Andrea Bocelli on December 13, squeezed between all the hockey games. 
• You’ll find all sorts of fun music shows at MTELUS, including Dragonforce on December 1, Wolf Parade on December 10, Kapo on December 11, Talk on December 12, Imminence on December 13, An Evening with Lord Huron on December 15 and 16, Virtual Riot and Blanke on December 18, the singalong Choir! Choir! Choir! on December 22, and Mononc’ Serge alongside Anonymus and Groovy Aardvark on December 30. 
• At Théâtre Fairmount in Mile End, catch Baby Jane on December 2, King Buffalo on December 9 and Unkle on December 14. There are also some fun holiday and New Year’s parties, so check those out here.
• The world’s best EDM artists come to New City Gas to get you moving, including Josh Baker with Jay Pryor and Mezz on December 29. See the full programming here. 
• At the SAT this month, don’t miss live music and immersive experiences in the incredible Satosphere, among other fun happenings, including Troyboi and Hear2move on December 18 and 19. See the full month’s program here.
• Want to experience music and entertainment in a sparkling, velvet-clad theatre? Look no further than Caf’Conc, within the Marriott Château Champlain de Montréal. Find the programming here. 
• Groove to live soul, disco, jazz, funk, salsa, Cuban music Fridays and more at Le Balcon, where you can have dinner with a show, go dancing, and enjoy a gospel brunch on weekends. Find the full program here.
• Hear live jazz nightly at Montréal’s amazing jazz and blues clubs, like Diese Onze and Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill. And go out dancing late into the night at Montréal’s dance clubs.
• Indie venues Casa del Popolo and Sala Rossa have chock-a-block full monthly programs featuring both local and visiting bands, which you can find here. Look here for the many live events at hole-in-the-wall Barfly. Same for Bar Le Ritz PDB, where there’s a show nearly every night. Explore the lineups at Le Ministère and Turbo Haüs, and follow L’Escogriffe on Facebook to stay on top of all their upcoming shows. L’Hémisphère Gauche, up in Little Italy, is packed with music lovers for their nightly shows, as is Quai des Brumes on the Plateau — it never takes a night off.