From department stores on Sainte-Catherine Street to artisan chalets and public markets, Montreal is a great place to shop for the holidays. Here’s where to find gifts in Montreal this Christmas, plus the store hours you need to know.
Holiday store hours in Quebec
Quebec law sets special store hours over the holidays. Most stores and malls:
- Close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 24 and Thursday, December 31
- Are closed on Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1
- Open at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 26 (Boxing Day)
More details in our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day guide.
Downtown: Sainte-Catherine Street
Montreal’s main shopping street is decorated with snowflake lights in December.
- Eaton Centre (Centre Eaton de Montréal): the biggest mall downtown, with Time Out Market Montréal’s food hall inside.
- Place Montréal Trust and Les Promenades Cathédrale: connected to the metro and the underground city.
- Complexe Desjardins: decorations, children’s shows and Santa’s Kingdom. Where to see Santa
The underground city
Downtown’s indoor network of tunnels links metro stations, malls, office towers and Place des Arts, so you can shop for hours without putting your coat on. It’s the best way to shop on a very cold day.
Christmas markets: local and handmade gifts
- Great Christmas Market (Quartier des spectacles): around 40 chalets run by artisans from across Quebec, November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
- Christmas Village (Atwater Market): handmade goods from local makers, November 26 to December 24, 2026.
- Holiday pop-up at Time Out Market: some forty local artisans for a weekend in late November (2026 dates to be confirmed).
All the details are in our Christmas markets guide.
Neighbourhood shopping streets
- Mont-Royal Avenue (Plateau): independent boutiques, bookstores and cafés, plus the Mon Beau Sapin square of lights.
- Saint-Denis Street: fashion, design and gift shops.
- Saint-Paul Street (Old Montreal): galleries, Quebec crafts and Bonsecours Market. Old Montreal at Christmas
- Wellington Street (Verdun): a lively local street with shops and restaurants.
Food gifts: Montreal’s public markets
Jean-Talon Market (Little Italy) and Atwater Market (Saint-Henri) are perfect for edible gifts: maple products, ice cider, Quebec cheeses, chocolates and preserves. Many bakeries also take orders for tourtières and bûches de Noël before Christmas.
Shopping tips
- Shop on weekday mornings to avoid the crowds in December.
- Boxing Day starts at 1 p.m. on December 26 in Quebec, not first thing in the morning.
- Ask about returns. Some stores don’t accept exchanges on December 26.
- Use the metro. Downtown parking fills up fast on December weekends.
