Christmas in Montreal means wooden chalets and mulled wine downtown, skating under city lights, a Santa Claus parade that’s been running for more than 70 years, and Christmas Eve mass in the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica. This guide brings together the best things to do in Montreal this holiday season, with 2026 dates and links to our detailed guides.
Dates can change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.
Christmas in Montreal 2026 at a glance
| What | When | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Claus Parade | Saturday, Nov 21, 2026 (to be confirmed) | Free |
| Great Christmas Market | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Free entry |
| Christmas Village at Atwater Market | Nov 26 – Dec 24, 2026 | Free entry |
| LUMINO light trail | Nov 26, 2026 – Mar 7, 2027 (to be confirmed) | Free |
| Noël dans le Parc | Dec 4 – 24, 2026 | Free |
| The Nutcracker | Dec 5 – 30, 2026 | From $99 |
| Grand Minuit New Year’s Eve | Dec 31, 2026 | Free |
1. Shop and sip at the Christmas markets
The Great Christmas Market (Grand Marché de Noël) fills the Quartier des spectacles with artisan chalets, fire pits and free shows from November 13 to January 3. For something cozier, the Christmas Village sets up beside Atwater Market from November 26 to December 24. Both are free to enter. See our full Montreal Christmas markets guide for hours.
2. Watch the Santa Claus Parade
Montreal’s Défilé du père Noël is the oldest event of its kind in Quebec and the unofficial start of the holiday season. It’s expected on Saturday, November 21, 2026, downtown on René-Lévesque Boulevard. Details in our Santa Claus Parade guide.
3. Go skating
Montreal has more than 220 outdoor rinks. Downtown, the free refrigerated rink on the Esplanade Tranquille is the city’s biggest, and the rink at Beaver Lake on Mount Royal is the most scenic. Note that the Old Port rink has closed permanently. See where to skate in Montreal.
4. See the lights
Walk Sainte-Catherine Street, Place d’Armes and the Quartier des spectacles after dark, when the LUMINO light installations take over the squares. Our Christmas lights guide has a walking route.
5. See The Nutcracker
Les Grands Ballets has danced Fernand Nault’s Nutcracker at Place des Arts every December for decades. The 2026 run is December 5 to 30. Book early for weekend matinees: Nutcracker guide.
6. Hear a Christmas concert
From Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at the Maison symphonique to choirs in Notre-Dame Basilica, December is full of holiday music. See our Christmas concerts guide.
7. Spend an evening in Old Montreal
Cobblestone streets, garlands, Place Jacques-Cartier and the Notre-Dame Basilica make Old Montreal the most romantic part of the city at Christmas. Here’s what to do in Old Montreal at Christmas.
8. Visit Santa
Santa holds court at Complexe Desjardins downtown and visits the markets on weekends. See where to meet Santa in Montreal.
9. Ring in the New Year at the Old Port
Grand Minuit, Montreal’s free New Year’s Eve party on the Quai Jacques-Cartier, returns on December 31 with live music and fireworks over the river. Plan your night with our New Year’s Eve guide.
10. Take a trip to Mont-Tremblant
Two hours north, Tremblant’s pedestrian village looks like a Christmas card, with skiing, carols and Santa visits over the holidays. See Christmas in Mont-Tremblant.
Plan your trip
- On a budget? Start with our list of free Christmas things to do.
- With kids? See Christmas in Montreal with kids.
- Visiting for a few days? Follow our 3-day Christmas itinerary.
- Around December 24 and 25? Check what’s open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Stores in Quebec close on December 25.
- Packing? Read about Montreal weather in December.
- Shopping? Here’s our holiday shopping guide.
More holiday guides
- Month by month: November 2026 · December 2026
- Markets: Great Christmas Market · Christmas Village · Christmas markets near Montreal · Quebec City’s German Christmas Market
- Lights: LUMINO · Festilumi · Ogilvy’s Christmas windows
- Events: Noël dans le Parc · Christmas shows · Hanukkah · Christmas at Notre-Dame Basilica
- Things to do: sledding · museums · Christmas bars · Christmas trees
- Plan your trip: where to stay · Quebec traditions · day trips · Christmas in other cities
