The Top 10 Montreal Winter Festivals To Make The Most Of Winter 2023 – 2024

If it’s one thing Montreal does best, it’s festivals. In fact, Montreal has some of the most popular summer festivals (like Osheaga and Just for Laughs). The unbeatable festivals in Montreal don’t just stop because the temperature drops.

In fact, we embrace the cold, dress properly, and the city puts on some of the best winter festivals in Montreal. I mean, we can’t cocoon in our homes for 6 months… can we?

So if you’re looking for some Montreal winter activities to get out of the house for a few hours or an entire day of fun, check out some of these Montreal winter festivals.

There’s something for everyone on this list – whether you’re an art lover, food lover, or looking for some Montreal winter activities to do with the family.

I didn’t even mention the best part yet, most of these Montreal winter festivals are completely free!

Psst! This post contains affiliate links. It sends a bit extra my way if your buy anything through my links, at no extra cost to you!

Things To Do In Montreal In Winter: Head To A Festival

If you’re looking for things to do in Montreal in winter, why not head to a winter festival!?

I swear, there’s a winter festival in Montreal for everyone!

The city puts on winter festivals for Christmas, New Years, families, and even music, art, food lovers! The best is, they’re also about embracing our crazy weather and enjoying the best that winter has to offer!

P.S. Looking for some more winter activities in Montreal? Book a winter themed organized tour through the city, like a Christmas walking tour, or even winter mountain biking on Mount Royal!

Top 10 Montreal Festivals 2024 – 2025

My top 10 Montreal winter festivals in 2024 span from the end of November until the end of March 2025.

1. Montreal Christmas Village (November to December 2024)

Is it even a winter festivals list if it doesn’t include a Christmas themed festival!?
Christmas in Montreal starts at the end of November. The city celebrates it with not one, but three Christmas markets to explore.

The original Christmas market is the Montreal Christmas Village at the Atwater market. It’s typically open from Friday to Sunday for a month starting the end of November.

You can also go to the Great Christmas Village downtown at Places des Arts or Jean-Talon Market recently also started their own holiday market.

These are outdoor Christmas markets with local artisan booths. You can find your holiday gifts here and or try some new food.

2. Christmas In The Park (December 8 to 31 2024)

Three parks in Montreal transform themselves into Christmas havens throughout the month of December. They have Christmas tree markets, and a stage with different performances every day.

This is the perfect Montreal winter festival for families. See the schedule here (French only, not released for 2024 yet).

3. Luminotherapie (2024 dates TBA)

Luminotherapie lasts for over a month in Montreal at Quartier des Spectacles, starting annually in November. This winter festival literally lights up the city night on some of the shortest (and darkest) days of the year.

For Luminotherapie festival in Montreal, Quartier des Spectacles downtown transforms into a beautiful display illuminated and interactive artworks. Some favourites are to play on illuminated musical swings or more recently, the seesaws. But there are so many other beautifully lit up works of art to admire.

P.S. This is one of the winter festivals in Montreal that you’ll want to make sure you visit when it’s dark. But that shouldn’t be too hard though considering the sun starts to set at 3:00 P.M. in the winter!

4. Nouveau Centre’s Magical Holiday Shopping Experience (2024 Dates TBA)

Make shopping for holiday gifts this year a truly magical experience!

Colorful and musical entertainment will play throughout the Eaton Centre. Immerse yourself in the music of Urban Brass Band, the Nutcrackers, Electric harpist, and Les Oiseaux as you shop.

You can see the schedule of when and where they’re playing here.

5. Igloofest (Jan 18 – Feb 10 2024 Weekends Only)

You may have heard of Igloofest before, it’s one of the most popular Winter festivals in Montreal. Igloofest happens every weekend in from mid-January to February when the Old Port hosts outdoor concerts.

They invite musical artists from all over for you to get out and enjoy the coldest months of the year.

P.S. this is one of the hottest things to do in Montreal in winter, so tickets sell out FAST!

6. Fêtes Des Neiges (2024 / 2025 Dates TBA)

Les Fêtes des Neiges in Montreal is the celebration of everything winter. It’s one of the best Montreal winter activities for the entire family to enjoy.

They have several winter activities you can do like tubing, skating, they even create a mini ski hill. There’s food to enjoy and performances scheduled. You also won’t want to miss the ice-sculpting competition.

7. Laval En Blanc (2025 Dates TBA)

Although not technically in Montreal, Laval is right off the island and still connected to the city by metro. So I considered Laval en Blanc for one of the best Montreal winter festivals.

If you’re looking for Montreal winter activities to do with the family, look no further! Like Les Fêtes des Neiges, this is your one stop spot for winter fun! These three days are packed full with winter activities and shows to enjoy.

8. Montreal en Lumiere (Feb 22 – March 3 2024) & Nuit Blanche (March 2)

Montreal en Lumière is one of my all time favourite winter festivals in Montreal that I look forward to every year.

There are several parts to this amazing winter festival in Montreal. During the week of the festival, there’s different food activities to indulge in. There are also performances throughout the 10 days and different outdoor activities (this year they’re creating a skating rink to enjoy!).

But my favourite part about Montreal en Lumière is Nuit Blanche (March 2 2024). That translates to white night and it’s when the metros and buses run ALL NIGHT LONG! There are family activities, art shows, more food to try, and so much going on throughout the city all night long during Nuit Blanche.

This is one of those Montreal winter activities you don’t want to miss!

9. Holidays On The Point (November 17 2023 to January 8 2024)

Do you love après-ski but not a fan of actual skiing!? Now you have a place to go without ever having to go down a mountain!

Place Royale in the Old Port is transformed into a relaxing chalet-inspired wonderland. Pick up some hot chocolate and simply hang out, enjoying the fresh winter air!

They also put on the event Who is the Real Santa, where kids get to hear the different legends of Santa Claus from around the world.

10. Art Souterrain (March 16 to April 7 2024)

Art Souterrain a must-see for any art lover in Montreal. The festival starts in February and lasts all the way until June.

They aim to bring art out of exhibition spaces and into the public sphere – making art more accessible.

Bonus! La Poutine Week (February 1 to 14 2024)

It wouldn’t be a true Quebec festival season without at least some poutine. So to top off the winter festivals, we have Poutine week. Well I guess it’s more like double poutine weeks!

This is a chance for restaurants to bring people in to try their one of a kind poutine. You are the taste tester, so you can rate, review, and post about all the poutines you’ve tried on the list. At the end, there will be the ultimate winner of Poutine Week.

Find out more here.

Bonus! Cabane Panache (Wellington Street in Verdun)

Just on the cusp of winter festivals, Cabane Panache transform Wellington Street at the end of March (March 21 to 24 2024).

It’s a celebration to bring in the fun of sugaring off in Montreal (going to a sugar shack and indulging in all the maple syrup you can!).

Find out more information on their website here.

Past Montreal Winter Festivals Not Happening in 2023…

Barbegazi – Winter Action Sports Festival

Barbegazi is the ultimate send off to the winter season in Montreal. This is a celebration of all things winter sports. If you’re a winter sport enthusiast or just looking for a Montreal winter activity to do with the family then head to Barbegazi!

Barbegazi will surprise you with the crazy Montreal winter activities they have. They don’t simply have your typical ice skating or tubing. You can enter a woodchopping competition, a winter obstacle course, snow skating, arm wrestling and more!

Barbegazi hasn’t happened since 2020, but you can try to bring it back here.

Montreal Winter Activities: Merry Montreal (Officially Cancelled)

November 2023 Update: Merry Montreal has decide to cancel the event as the costs rose too much. Read more about the update here.

Merry Montreal was the ultimate New Years Eve festival in the city. There were two parts to the festival.

The first part of Merry Montreal New Years Eve festival started mid-December with interactive light and art installations throughout the city.

The second part of Merry Montreal winter festival was on New Years Eve itself welcoming DJs and bands to perform… and it was all totally free!

Popular Winter Festivals Around Montreal

If none of the winter festivals in Montreal satisfy you, or you’re looking for a change of scenery for a day (or two) there are three popular winter festivals around Montreal to enjoy as well.

Head to Repentigny for Festival Feu et Glaces, Ottawa for Winterlude, and Quebec City for Carnaval de Québec.

Festival Feu et Glaces (Repentigny February 4-5 and February 11-12 2023)

Repentigny is about an hour drive away from Montreal making this a great winter day trip.

Festival Feu et Glaces offers outdoor performances and winter activities. The best thing to do is to walk or skate alongside the St. Lawrence River. But you can also go tubing or have a blast on a sleigh ride with the fam!

But above all, you have to make sure to stay to watch the fireworks!

Winterlude (Ottawa Feb 3-20 2023)

The next easiest winter festival to visit from Montreal is Winterlude in Ottawa. This is a great day trip from Montreal to celebrate winter in Ottawa (about a 2 hour drive).

The main attraction is to skate through the city on the Rideau Canal. But there’s also a giant snow playground, delicious local food to try, incredible ice sculptures, and more!

Carnaval de Québec (Québec City Feb 9-12 2023)

Join Carnaval de Québec – the ultimate winter party in Québec city with outdoor concerts, ice sculptures and sliding down an ice slide… no seriously!

If you’re really looking to get crazy this winter you can join the Jacques-Cartier Ice Swimming, the Snowy Owl Challenge, Saint-Hubert Carnival Snow Bath and la Course de pelle-traîneau à Marto.

Make sure to also find the Bonhomme while you’re there – the official mascot of Carnaval de Québec.

Québec City is a bit further from Montreal, it’s about a 3 hour drive, so you’ll most likely want to spend the weekend here. See my top 5 hotels in Quebec City for every budget.

What You’ll Need For Winter Festivals in Montreal

If you’re travelling to Montreal for winter festivals you have to come prepared. Most Montreal winter festivals are held OUTSIDE! No matter the weather!

That means to enjoy Montreal winter festivals you have to dress for the coldest of winter days. Sometimes you’ll have to stand outside in -20 degrees. There’s no way you’ll be able to enjoy anything if you’re too cold.

It’s all about layering, buying quality thin but warm fabrics, and winter accessories. You can read my more in depth guide of what to pack for Montreal winters.

Need A Place To Stay In Montreal? Hotel Recommendations

I love going on staycations at Hotel Nelligan in the Old Port of Montreal. It’s in a great location, walking distance to everywhere you need to be. When you stay there you can’t miss out on their unique roof top terrace above the hotel. See room rates & availability.

I’ve also stayed at the newly built Homewood Suites in Montreal Midtown (west of the city) and I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a hotel that isn’t in the city centre. But they also have a branch downtown as well. It has a little kitchenette in every room and breakfast is included. Even though it isn’t downtown, you aren’t far from it. It’s walking distance to the Namur metro station, which will get you downtown in less than 20 minutes. See room rates & availability.

Here are some other alternatives I’ve heard about if you’re looking to stay in Downtown Montreal;

If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Downtown Montreal check out Auberge Les Bons Matins. This is a one of a kind stay perfect for a romantic getaway in Montreal. In this charming inn in Montreal, you’ll get a taste of local life. See room rates & availability.

You can also stay Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites if an auberge isn’t your style. Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites is in a supreme location in between the orange and the green metro line that get you anywhere else in the city. Breakfast is also included with your stay! See room rates & availability

For more accommodation options in Montreal, see Booking.com.

Don’t Forget To Dress For The Cold

Most of these winter festivals in Montreal are spent outside in the cold. You really want to make sure you’re dressed appropriately to take part in all the things to do in Montreal in winter! That means, layering, wearing warm fabrics, and getting top-notch winter accessories.

Depending on where you’re visiting Montreal, temperatures can drop to -40 (celsius)… FYI that’s COLD A.F.! See what I wear to stay warm in Montreal winters. To help you pack, check out my downloadable and printable PDF for purchase on Etsy here.

Shop My Montreal Winter Festivals Favourites on Amazon

More Montreal Guides

• What To Wear In Montreal In The Winter?
• Quebec City In Winter: 11 Unspoken Realities To Know
• The Full Guide To Ottawa In Winter: Is The Cold Worth It?
• 31 Indoor Montreal Rainy Day Activities To Enjoy

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Last update on 2024-10-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API