Free things to do this winter in Montréal
Undaunted by sub-zero temperatures, Montréal embraces life during winter, transforming into a sparkling playground where free festivities abound. Visitors can glide across ice rinks, be exhilarated by snowy slopes, wander through twinkling holiday markets, and discover pop-up art installations that brighten the city's calendar from November's first frost until March's thaw.
Winter wonders
It's been said that Montréal is also a city of lights – with a high-tech twist. See that tech in action at this year’s Lumino art playground, featuring illuminated interactive outdoor artworks on Sainte-Catherine Street, in the Esplanade Tranquille ice rink and throughout the Quartier des spectacles. Throughout December, it’s a sparkly winter wonderland of holiday activities, from the Santa Claus Parade on November 23, 2024 to the Great Montréal Christmas Market outside Place des Arts and the Montreal Christmas Village at Atwater Market, to Noël dans le Parc at Place Émilie-Gamelin downtown and in Parc des Compagnons and Parc Lahaie in the Plateau, as well as indoors at Santa’s Village in Complexe Desjardins downtown — enjoy the festive atmosphere, free performances, kids activities and more all season.
The magic of the CPKC Holiday Train is sure to delight young and old alike when its glittering lights pull into two Montréal stations on November, 22. This year, take in a free concert by American Authors and KT Tunstall and do your part to fight food insecurity by bringing a non-perishable food donation.
Near the gates to McGill University, don’t miss Ogilvy's classic holiday window displays in the McCord Stewart Museum's indoor and outdoor exhibition on Victoria Street. Explore the Quartier des spectacles on a luminous pathway of video projections and lighting installations, and see Montréal’s cultural institutions in a new light in Insitu, projected on the facade of Maison symphonique. At Place des Arts, see the city lights brilliantly reflected on the mirrored ORB by SpY, a travelling art installation whose appearance changes throughout the day. And see Claude Cormier et Associés’s massive The Ring installation aglow at Esplanade Place Ville Marie downtown.
If the weather’s right, get outside and play this winter! Visit Montréal's major parks Mount-Royal Park, Parc La Fontaine and Jarry Park to go ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding or simply for a snowy stroll. Explore the sprawling wintery grounds of the Montréal Botanical Garden and try out the cross-country ski paths of Parc Maisonneuve next door.
Ice skate in the middle of downtown at the Esplanade Tranquille ice skating rink: skating is free, and you can rent skates or bring your own, learn a few moves from instructors, and go “dancing” on the ice under the lights on DJ nights! At the Old Port of Montréal ice skating rink, free for kids under 6, the weekend lineup includes all kinds of festivities, including DJ nights on Fridays, a variety of music from Latin to world music on Saturdays, and family activities on Sundays.
Escape to Parc Jean-Drapeau, where you can go ice skating at two rinks and try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking on the park’s winding trails – if you don’t have your own equipment, rent it on site! And explore Montréal's major nature parks, like Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques and Parc-nature de l'Île-de-la-Visitation.
Party town
Watch for New Year’s Eve fireworks and festivities in Old Montréal and the Old Port. Downtown shines bright with the city's signature winter festival MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE (February 27 to March 9, 2025). Winter has never felt so welcome thanks to incredible food, art and cultural events. At festival headquarters outdoors in the Quartier des Spectacles, you'll find live music, theatrical and circus performances, fascinating art and all kinds of food, drink and activities and animated projection art. The epic all-nighter arts and culture event Nuit Blanche offers an array of activities.
By mid-March, winter’s still in the air for the St-Patrick’s Day Parade – pull on a green toque and watch the parade downtown! A highlight of sugar shack season, Cabane Panache et Bois Rond captures the spirit of a Québécois traditional lumberjack village, with music, food and activities in late March.
Museums and culture
Many major Montréal museums offer free entry to kids 12 and under in addition to engaging activities, too! See timely major exhibitions at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and at the Musée d'art contemporain's temporary home at Place Ville Marie. Among the city's many other kid-friendly museums, the McCord Stewart Museum – free for anyone 17 and under – takes a fun interactive look at history in the museum and online, with exhibitions like Indigenous Voices of Today – Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience and more.
Play games, do science experiments and even journey into space with the Montréal Science Centre's many activities. Barbie fans can see her style transformations through the decades at the free Barbie Expo downtown. Throughout February, Black History Month presents art exhibitions, talks, performances and other events, some free of charge. Catch free music, dance performances and art in Place des Arts' open gathering space Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme, plus art at Place des Arts’ exhibition space. Visit the city's many cultural centres for free exhibitions and performances. And for another slice of Québec history, visit Montréal’s stunning churches and sacred sites.
Art for the people
Dress for the weather and follow Art Public Montréal’s itineraries for (entirely free!) art-focused walking tours, from larger-than-life sculptures in Old Montréal to storeys-high murals of Leonard Cohen. Featuring over 1,000 works of public art by nearly 500 professional artists, discover what makes Montréal an international public art destination. With a plethora of tours to choose from based on length and neighbourhood, as well as podcast mini-tours you can do on your own in under 30 mins, these tours are sure to give you a deeper appreciation of Montréal’s dedication to accessible art.
Art gallery afternoons
Winter is the perfect time to go gallery hopping! Known for hosting renowned and experimental international and Canadian artists, Old Montréal’s Phi Foundation for Contemporary Art and Phi Centre always inspire. Explore the five floors of art in downtown’s Belgo Building – home to SBC Gallery of Contemporary Art, Galerie Hugues Charbonneau, SKOL, B-312 and more. Downtown, check out Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, and in St-Henri Bradley Ertaskiran, Griffintown's Arsenal and Division, Galerie Bloom, Yves Laroche Galerie d’Art, Darling Foundry (by donation) and L'Affichiste Vintage Poster Gallery.
In the Plateau and Mile End go to Oboro, Galerie Simon Blais, Centre Clark, Daphne, Dazibao and Optica and more galleries, as well as Petite Patrie’s Art Mûr. And discover even more while antiquing in the city. Wherever you look, there’s something entertaining and easy on the wallet in Montréal.
Warm up like a local
The weather outside is frightful? Check out La Taverne de Noël at Le Petit Dep (Saint-Laurent), a magical place to visit for free, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. This tavern offers a warm and festive atmosphere, ideal for window shopping and seeing unique decorations.
Transport yourself to warmer climes by visiting the Westmount Library and the Conservatory and Greenhouse where greenery thrives year round. Speaking of libraries, Montréal has plenty of them, offering free programming, art installations, and of course, cozy reading nooks and books galore. Want to really nerd out? Head to the Cinémathèque québécoise and get happily lost in The Médiathèque Guy-L.-Coté’s vast collection of archives and works.
Sarah Beall
Sarah Beall is a writer, editor, and creative who loves food, fun, and all things arts and culture. Her wanderlust has taken her to such places as São Paulo, Brazil, Seoul, South Korea, London, England, and New York, New York, and yet she’s always happiest playing tourist and living the good life in Montreal, the world-class city she’s called home for over 20 years.