November is when Montreal’s holiday season switches on. The Great Christmas Market opens in mid-month, Santa rides down René-Lévesque Boulevard, and by the end of the month the LUMINO light installations and the Christmas Village are glowing. Here’s your calendar of things to do in Montreal in November 2026.
Dates marked “to be confirmed” were listed but not yet officially confirmed. Check with each organizer before you go.
November 2026 at a glance
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| All month | Festilumi light trail at Marché Central |
| Nov 6 – 8 | DDO Art and Craft Market (Dollard-des-Ormeaux) |
| Friday, Nov 13 | Great Christmas Market opens in the Quartier des spectacles |
| Thursday, Nov 19 | German Christmas Market opens in Quebec City |
| Saturday, Nov 21 | Santa Claus Parade downtown (to be confirmed) |
| Nov 21 | Mirabel Christmas market opens (until Dec 13) |
| Wednesday, Nov 25 | Sainte-Catherine’s Day, the traditional day for making maple taffy (tire Sainte-Catherine) |
| Thursday, Nov 26 | Christmas Village at Atwater Market opens |
| Nov 26 | LUMINO light installations return (to be confirmed) |
| Friday, Nov 27 | Black Friday sales; Longueuil and Saint-Hyacinthe Christmas markets open |
| Late November | Holiday pop-up at Time Out Market (dates to be confirmed) |
| Sunday, Nov 29 | AvH German Christmas Market (one day only) |
| Late November | Ski season usually opens at Mont-Tremblant |
Early November: plan ahead
The first half of the month is the best time to book the holiday season’s most popular tickets before they sell out:
- The Nutcracker (December 5 to 30)
- Christmas concerts at the Maison symphonique and Notre-Dame Basilica
- Restaurants for December 24 and 31
- Hotels for Christmas week. See where to stay.
Mid-November: the season opens
The Great Christmas Market opens on Friday, November 13, with around 40 artisan chalets, fire pits and free shows. It’s the earliest of the big markets, so the first weeks are a great time to visit before the December crowds. Until December 20 it’s open Wednesday to Sunday.
The Santa Claus Parade
The Défilé du père Noël is the official start of the season downtown. Expect floats, marching bands and the Fée des étoiles on René-Lévesque Boulevard. Parade guide
Sainte-Catherine’s Day (November 25)
A sweet Quebec tradition: on November 25, families make tire Sainte-Catherine, a pulled taffy candy. Learn more about Quebec Christmas traditions.
Late November: lights and markets everywhere
By the last weekend of November, nearly everything is open: the Christmas Village at Atwater Market, LUMINO in the Quartier des spectacles, and Christmas markets across the region. See our guide to Christmas markets near Montreal.
What’s next
See things to do in Montreal in December, or start with our complete Christmas guide.
