Things to do in Montréal (December)

December holiday festivities

Throughout the city this December, enjoy winter holiday activities, including the Montréal Christmas Village and The Great Christmas Market outdoor market, with ice skating at nearby Esplanade Tranquille skating rink (rent skates or bring your own, learn a few moves from instructors, and on DJ nights go “dancing” on the ice!). 

Experience gorgeous and playful illuminated artwork, activities and more in the city as part of Les Moments lumineux du cœur de l'île. This year’s Luminothérapie features illuminated interactive art that makes us all feel like kids again – find it along Sainte-Catherine Street, in Place des Festivals and projected on building facades in the Quartiers des spectacles. XP_MTL brings the holiday spirit downtown with giant decorations (like The Legend of the Bears by Cree artist Jason Carter), window displays and lighting installations on Sainte-Catherine Street, along with choir performances and more holiday activities and entertainment at street-level and in the underground city. An unmissable Christmas classic, Ogilvy's holiday window displays Enchanted Worlds are free to see outside and inside the McCord Stewart Museum.

Experience the festivities and shop local for gifts this season at Montréal holiday markets, including the Village de Noël de Montréal at Atwater Market and the Marché de Noël de Jean-Talon at Jean-Talon Market. Complexe Desjardins transforms into a Christmas village, with visits with Santa, concerts, an illuminated fountain and holiday fun, along with all kinds of holiday shopping. Downtown’s Eaton Centre and Place Montréal Trust also transform in December, with gourmet surprises, a cappella choirs, a carousel ride, art workshops and more. And Noël dans le Parc brings music, hot beverages and Christmas cheer to Place Émilie-Gamelin downtown and in Parc des Compagnons and Parc Lahaie in the Plateau.

Mont Royal Avenue glitters this month too with the return of free holiday concerts and family activities along the avenue, also known as a great place to go gift shopping! In the Rosemont neighbourhood, visit Santa in his winter cabin and sip free hot chocolate and cider around a massive Christmas tree at Le Chalet du Père Noël sur la Promenade Masson on December 10 and 11 – and shop for locally made gifts (with a chance to win prizes!) along the promenade. And Montréal’s Little Italy celebrates with holiday activities and artistically decorated Christmas trees, as well as visits with Santa at the Christmas Market at Jean-Talon Market on December 17. And follow the Sentier-des-Neiges winter path in Côte-des-Neiges to see lighting installations, enchanted trees, a tour of local merchants and more until March 17 – and don’t miss the Christmas Village giant video projections at 5450 Côte-des-Neiges!

For more holiday performances and concerts, scroll down to read the “On stage” and “Holiday concerts” sections.

 

December city sights

In Old Montréal, walk the cobblestone streets to the Saint-Lawrence River and visit the peacefully illuminated square outside Notre-Dame Basilica – inside, see gorgeous multimedia show AURA. In the Old Port of Montréal, you can see incredible city and river views from the Observation Wheel or go for a wild 1200-metre ride over the boardwalk on the MTL Zip Line. Nearby, explore the scientific world indoors with kids at the Montréal Science Centre: see new interactive exhibition Dinosaurs Around the World, with 20 life-sized dinosaurs that move and make sounds, plus other hands-on activities and exhibitions.

Dress warmly and go on a free Old Montréal tour and scavenger hunt with Guidatour on Saturdays in December, replete with historic trivia and challenges. Take a free walking tour of the Quartier des spectacles too! MURAL Festival may be over, but you can still see murals from this year and years past on Saint-Laurent Boulevard and adjacent streets – find the murals and hear more about the artists on a street art tour with Spade & Palacio.

By night, look for the history-illuminating tableaux projections of Cité Mémoire in Old Montréal, and see Claude Cormier et Associés’s massive The Ring installation aglow at Esplanade Place Ville Marie downtown. And for ultimate relaxation any time of the day, visit Bota Bota, spa sur l’eau on the Saint-Lawrence River in the Old Port and other world-class spas like Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal, Avie Spa & Coiffure, Rainspa and Strøm Nordic Spa.

Meanwhile, in pro sports: cheer on the Montréal Canadiens at home at the Bell Centre throughout the month. If you’re not at the game, watch hockey, World Cup soccer and other sports at Montréal’s sports bars.

Visit dozens of Montréal attractions, museums and more at a discount with the MTL Fall + Winter Passport and MTL + Montérégie Passport! And if you’re a regular train traveler on the Québec CityꟷWindsor corridor, take advantage of VIA Rail’s “Midweeker” discount card to save 25% to 40% off your ticket!

 

Winter in the city

As the snow starts to fall, visit Montréal's parks and cultivated gardens for a natural winter wonderland experience. At the Space for Life museums, stroll the Montréal Botanical Garden grounds and sprawling tropical greenhouse, experience several wild ecosystems at the Biodôme, where you’ll see penguins, otters and more, explore the mysteries of the universe in films and exhibitions at the Planetarium, and learn about the thousands of butterflies, moths and other insects at the newly renovated Insectarium. Visit the Space for Life gift shops too – they’re full of unique gifts for the holidays! And head to the West Island’s Ecomuseum Zoo to glimpse local wildlife in their natural outdoor habitats and even have breakfast with some of them in December!

For something different, take the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal down to the Old Port of Montréal ice skating rink, where you can rent skates and glide next to the Saint Lawrence River under twinkling lights. Also go ice skating downtown at Esplanade Tranquille, in city parks from Mount Royal to Parc La Fontaine, and even indoors at Atrium Le 1000 downtown, decorated for the season and playing holiday tunes!

Among the many free things to do this winter, see incredible city views of the city from Mount Royal Park: bundle up for a walk through the park and up the stairs to the lookout or bus or drive up to Beaver Lake. Stroll around Parc La Fontaine, go to St-Michel’s Frédéric-Back Park, or cross the river to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a riverside walk and a different view of the city – while there visit the Space for Life Biosphère too for environment-focused exhibitions, the interactive Ecolab and more. And on snowy days, head to the parks for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more outdoor winter activities!

 

Seasonal food and drink

Indulge in incredible food at Montréal’s variety of restaurants this holiday season. Dozens of restaurants create special holiday menus and decorate for the season, so there’s no shortage of places to eat during the holidays in Montréal, from steaks and lobster to incredible Chinese food. Miracle Montréal serves up holiday magic and Christmas-themed cocktails in a fabulously decorated bar on Fleury Street, from November 22 to December 26. Riverside St-Henri becomes Hiverside in winter starting December 8: an ice palace cocktail bar designed by Julien Doré. Explore superb restaurants and cafés along Beaubien Street in the Rosemont-La-Petit-Patrie neighbourhood (also where you’ll find Little Italy). And enjoy dinner and a show at restaurant-cabaret Le Balcon’s Celebration holiday party concert series.

Discover the Montréal’s newest restaurants and “buvettes” and don’t miss a classic Montréal brunch, whether you’re looking for elegance or comfort food! Also try some of Montréalers’ favourite lunch restaurants, from Old Montréal and downtown to Villeray or the South-West. Dig into long-time Quebec classics like smoked meat, poutine and Montréal bagels. And check all the boxes on your “must-eat list” with these musts for foodies in Montréal.

It’s an excellent time to have dinner and see a show at the Casino de Montréal, all decked out for the season: live music and cabaret shows are back (the Boogie Wonder Band gets the holiday party going in December), along with incredible seafood and more on the grill at Le Montréal, a gourmet buffet at Pavillon 67, and quick delicious eats at L’Instant.

Downtown, explore the wide variety of excellent meals at gourmet food halls, including Time Out Market, Marché Artisans, Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten and Le Central - Manger Montréal. Get your caffeine fix at Montréal's indie coffee shops – and fresh-baked doughnuts to go with it! Add sweetness to your life with creations from Montréal's best bakeries and pastry shops, best chocolate shops and candy shops.

Eat plant-based with our ultimate guide to vegan eating in Montréal or join the debate over who makes the best pizza in Montréal or the best tacos. Warm up with authentic Japanese ramen and Vietnamese pho. By night, discover the city’s 30 top cocktail bars, inventive Montréal microbreweries and late-night eats. Or mix Montréalesque cocktails at home with gin, vodka, rum and more specialty spirits from these Montréal specialty alcohol and spirit makers.

 

December shopping

With the holiday season upon us, Montréal helps you check off everyone on your gift list: visit holiday markets around the city for one-of-a-kind and locally made items, from home decor and art to jewelry and toys – don’t miss Salon des métiers d’art in a new location at Olympic Park from December 8 to 18. Also shop at the Le Grand marché de Noël, Marché de Noël de Jean-Talon, and more December pop-up markets, like XP_MTL’s M.A.D. Shoppe at Place Ville-Marie, featuring chic urban products from local designers.

Go shopping for winter wardrobe staples and dinner-party glam in Old Montréal’s boutiques, downtown along Sainte-Catherine Street and in the underground city malls, or head to the Plateau and Mile End for unique finds. Keep your eye out for items made by Montréal designers, relaxing self-care staples and plenty of home decor. Add sparkle to your life at the coolest Montréal jewelry stores. 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.

 

December exhibitions and experiences

Montréal’s museums and art galleries inspire all year – and there’s always something new to see. At the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, see new blockbuster exhibition Seeing Loud: Basquiat and Music, as well as exhibitions Shary Boyle: Outside the Palace of Me and Diane Arbus: Photographs, 1956-1971, new exhibition ᑐᓴᕐᓂᑐᑦ TUSARNITUT! illustrating the Inuit musical expression, plus collections exhibition Views of Within: Picturing the Spaces We Inhabit. Outside the museum after sunset, see animated digital artwork Contre-espace by Sabrina Ratté, projected on the museum’s facade until 11 p.m. to December 18.

The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal presents new previously unseen immersive works by Montréal artist Nelson Henrick, including a program of 15 Screen Tests produced by Andy Warhol between 1964 and 1966. On screen at home, explore immersive online exhibition Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything, a recreation of the MAC’s monumental show, and comprehensive new digital platform MACrépertoire.

Explore ideas of metamorphosis and mutation and rethink the values we live by at the International Digital Art Biennial (BIAN), a digital and immersive art exhibition presented by ELEKTRA at Arsenal Contemporary Art Montreal, from December 1 to February 5. Also at Arsenal, experience a major audiovisual retrospective of Pink Floyd’s music and the band’s effect on art and culture in The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains.

Experience award-winning virtual reality at the Phi Centre in Horizons VR, as well as multi-sensorial experience Last Minute, focused on mourning, births and metamorphoses, Habitat Sonore’s intimate sound immersion environment, and a photo exhibition by Fabrizio Maltese – take advantage of holiday season discounts too, like a 20% discount on the Horizons VR exhibition with the code FETESVRA. At night, see The House of Murmurations light and sound installation highlighting historical architectural elements at the intersection of Bonsecours Street and Saint-Paul Street East in Old Montréal, as well as Water Road, a motion-activated river appears on the Phi Centre facade on Saint-Pierre Street.

A massive immersive art experience in surround sound and laser light, Oasis Immersion takes over the ground floor of Palais des congrès – don’t miss its newest creation, VAN GOGH-Distorsion, a 360° experience with surround sound, featuring 225 paintings, drawings and sketches by the Dutch-born painter. And in the Place des Arts exhibition space, don’t miss As Water Falls, an virtual interactive waterfall installation. Galerie de l’UQAM presents new work by Eritrean-born artist Dawit L. Petros in exhibition Spazio Disponibile (originally organized and circulated by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery), highlighting colonization, migration and modernism. Watch for local artwork in vacant downtown commercial spaces as part of Art souterrain’s Créer des Ponts project.

Also see new exhibitions at Bradley Ertaskiran in St. Henri, Darling Foundry in Old Montréal, Hugues Charbonneau, Galerie B-312 and Ellephant downtown, at Oboro, MAI in the Plateau, Centre Clark and Dazibao in Mile End and many, many other amazing art galleries in every neighbourhood – find out more in our Montréal guide to gallery hopping and these affordable places to buy contemporary art. Take a Portrait Sonore sound walk downtown and on the Mountain to discover Montréal art and culture. And hunt for more public art everywhere in the city.

 

History past and present

History buffs of all ages will love Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex in Old Montréal: learn about the significance of headdresses in different cultures in Headdresses from Around the world: The Antoine de Galbert Collection; follow the story of Montréal through historic objects in Favourites! Our Collections on Display; see environmentally themed exhibition Frédéric Back: A Passion for the Planet; and kids of all ages can step into history in interactive display Come Aboard! Pirates or Privateers? And throughout the month, take part in the museum’s holiday activities, like Who Is the Real Santa Claus? storytelling, both inside and outside the museum.

Go to the McCord Stewart Museum to witness Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience, experience Alexander Henderson: Art and Nature, and glean insights from new photography exhibitions Incipit - COVID-19 by Michel Huneault and Disraeli Revisited – throughout December, don’t miss the free Ogilvy Christmas mechanical window displays Enchanted Worlds. At the Canadian Centre for Architecture, see Retail Apocalypse, examining the entangled worlds of architecture, fashion, business and art, and ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒧᑦ / Ruovttu Guvlui / Towards Home, an Indigenous-led exhibition and publication project exploring Arctic spaces.

Travel back in time in Old Montréal as you tour the rooms of Château Ramezay (hosting Around the Fireplace...Holiday Traditions and more holiday activities all month) and historical site Chateau Dufresne. Climb aboard railway cars, learn about the history of the railroad and explore miniature railways at the Exporail the Canadian Railway Museum. Take a historic walking tour of Jewish Montréal, with the Museum of Jewish Montréal, relocated to 5220 Saint-Laurent Blvd. – see exhibition Public Intimacy by Berlin-based artists Sophia Hirsch and Johannes Mundinger. Explore the Afromuseum, representing the contributions of Afro-Canadians to the cultural landscape of Canada. Discover the vivid history and present of Québec ceramics at the Musée des métiers d'arts du Québec. And for another slice of Québec history, visit Montréal’s stunning churches and sacred sites.

Make the most of your visit and save big on museums and other attractions with the MTL Fall + Winter Passport: discover five Montréal attractions for one low price, and get discounts at many more! Or discover even more in the city and just outside it in the Montérégie region with the  MTL + Montérégie Passport.

 

On stage in December

Montréal’s cultural calendar is packed this season, with entertainment for everyone on the city’s many stages. Among the holiday performances, see the glorious Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal production of The Nutcracker from December 9 to 30 at Place des Arts. Sing along with epic musical The Sound of Music, directed by Gregory Charles and featuring over 25 actors, singers and dancers, plus a 10-person orchestra at Théâtre St-Denis from December 3 to 31 (shows available in either English or French). A truly Québecois experience, theatrical musical show Décembre, la grande fresque du temps des fêtes signée Québec Issime adds extra joy to the season  – and gather the kids for the rollicking Le Petit Noël de Québec Issime too!

Circus is never in short supply in Montréal. Let Cirque du Soleil’s fabulous show Corteo awe you at the Bell Centre from December 21 to January 1. At La Tohu circus centre see NYC circus company Acrobuffos in Air Play, a comedic and surreal circus show replete with theatrical acrobatics, flying umbrellas and uncommon beauty, from December 14 to 30. Experience the world première of The 7 Fingers high-tech multi-reality circus Carry Me Home from December 15 to 17 – or watch it online from wherever you are! And secure your seats for Cirque du Soleil’s brand new show ECHO, celebrating its world premiere in Montréal in spring 2023!

Theatre, dance and multidisciplinary performances light up the stage throughout the winter. In theatre this month, see Dark Divas, a musical journey about the lives and times of a few of the many popular Black female entertainers of an era, at Centaur Theatre on December 16 and 17. Inspired by a true story, The Covenant is set in the town of Theresienstadt, Czechoslovakia in 1944, a haven for the Jewish people but concealing a horrific secret, at the Segal Studio from November 13 to December 3. In literary arts, poet Rupi Kaur reads at St-Jean-Baptiste Church on December 14.

In contemporary dance, Danse Danse presents Compagnie Virginie Brunelle’s Fables, an ambitious tableaux work for 12 performers accompanied by a live pianist at Place des Arts from November 30 to December 3. See two works from Montréal dance artist Sasha Kleinplatz, installation We Move Together or Not at All and performance Miracle’ing/Close to Me/Close to You at MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) from December 7 to 11. Discover new contemporary dance and interdisciplinary works presented by Agora de la danse (see MWON’D by choreographer Rhodnie Désir from December 7 to 10), Tangente (students at École de danse contemporaine de Montréal showcase their brilliance this month), and Danse Cité (FRGMNT’s Superheros Cry Too at Ausgang Plaza from December 8 to 11.)

On screen in December

In the Society for Art and Technology’s 360° dome, immerse yourself in the oceanic depths of incredible new audiovisual creation Écosystème until December 18, while the SAT’s family screenings let children of all ages experience short immersive films in the dome on December 10 and 11. See independent features, family films, documentaries and more at Cinéma Moderne in person and online. See the art world in a whole new light thanks to the International Festival of Films on Art year-round ART FILM program.

Discover new art house films and more from Montréal indie cinemas' programming at Cinéma du Parc, Cinéma du Musée at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, and Cinémathèque québécoise in the Quartier des spectacles. The Montréal Science Centre’s IMAX cinema puts nature on the giant screen in all its glory – don’t miss new addition, Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D. And explore the city through cinema in these Hollywood movies made in Montréal.

Holiday concerts

Holiday concerts and theatrical events return in abundance this year! The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal celebrates the holidays with Christmas Songs with Rafael Payare on December 14 and 15, J. S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio conducted By Leonardo García Alarcón on December 21 and 22, and is joined by Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan for Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique on December 7, 10 and 11. The Orchestre Métropolitain performs a Holiday Melodies concert on December 2 and 3 and Bach’s Mass in B Minor on December 18 at Maison symphonique. And the Montréal Bach Festival presents Christian Tetzlaff concert Sonates et partitas at St. George Church and the festival closing concert with Les Violons du Roy at Maison Symphonique on December 9.

Relaxed and acoustically refined, Bourgie Hall at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts is also a source of beautiful concerts this holiday season, including A Charlie Brown Christmas concert by the Taurey Butler Trio, Ensemble ALKEMIA - Un monde pour Noël family concert, and more. Ensemble Caprice, Festival Classica and Ensemble vocal Arts-Québec perform Handel's Messiah at Maison symphonique on December 4. The Orchestre classique de Montréal (OCM) performs Handel’s Messiah in the Crypt of Saint Joseph’s Oratory on December 13. Canadian group Lyrico performs A Very Operatic Christmas at Place des Arts on December 4. The Glen Miller Orchestra performs concert In the Christmas Mood at Place des Arts on December 23. POP Montréal presents concert Étoiles Et Toi with Rufus & Martha Wainwright Ensemble + Famille on December 3 at St. Jean Baptiste Church. Join the fun of the Andy Kim Christmas show on December 10 at Corona Theatre. And disco Christmas classics go live as Boney M takes the stage at L’Olympia on December 14.

 

More live music in December

During the holiday season and any time of year, there’s plenty of live music in Montréal. Among the biggest names coming to Montreal this month, country star Kane Brown performs at the Bell Centre on December 2 for his “Drunk or Dreaming Tour” with guests Chris Lane and Restless Road, while the next night at the Bell Centre Arcade Fire performs songs from their WE album and more, with Haitian band Boukman Eksperyans opening, followed on December 14 by an encore show by Belgian artist Stromae. Canadian rock-pop royalty Glass Tiger come to the Corona Theatre on December 1, while Ria Mae & Virginia To Vegas perform at Le Studio TD and The Rural Alberta Advantage play Petit Campus.

On December 2, get into a mood with Stars at Fairmount Theatre, Riopy at Corona Theatre, and beabadoobee at Club Soda. On December 3, Raine Maida & Chantal Kreviazuk perform at the acoustically grand Amphithéâtre du Gesù, and Pond comes to Le Studio TD. French singer-songwriter Pomme takes the stage at MTELUS on December 10. Hear Thursday at Corona Theatre on December 9 and Mouse Party x Mehdi Maizi at Le Studio TD.

At the SAT, check out The Soft Moon on December 10, Lingua Ignota on December 18, and a NYE party with Aurora Halal and other great electronic producers on December 31. Dance the December nights away at Newspeak, featuring electronic music by Simon Doty on December 16, Leftwing Kody on December 23 and more, and at New City Gas, featuring Sonny Fodera on December 3, Louis The Child on December 27, a NYE party and more. Ramp up for NYE with EXCISION with Zomboy at Olympic Stadium on December 30. And Kohlenstoff collective avant-garde musicians pair with video creators for Cymatiques on December 10 at the Phi Centre.

See these shows – and NYE parties too! – co-presented by Greenland, Blue Skies Turn Black, I Love Neon, and other show promoters at venues citywide, including Fairmount Theatre, Corona Theatre, Bar Le Ritz PDB, Casa del Popolo and Sala Rossa, L’Escogriffe and elsewhere throughout the month.

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 ‒ or have meal and drinks on Le Balcon’s new terrasse right on Sainte-Catherine Street downtown. 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.