31 Free Things To Do In Montreal This Winter
Keep your spirits high and your expenses low.
An alley decorated in Verdun to have an English home façade covered in lights, holiday decorations, stuffed bears and presents.
As Montreal gears up for another frosty season, you might be wondering how to enjoy the city without giving your wallet the cold shoulder. From skating under the stars to the sweet victory of finding the perfect sledding hill, we've got your winter weekends sorted — no frostbite on your finances, guaranteed.
Here are some spots to enjoy Montreal's winter magic where the price admission is simply your presence:
Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Toy Exhibition at Maison de la Culture
When: December 20 to January 21
Where: 10300, rue Lajeunesse
Reason to go: A collection of toys from different periods provides a glimpse into holiday celebrations of the past. It's an educational experience that both children and adults can enjoy together.
Bookish Statues Exhibition at Cartierville Library
When: December 27 to December 30
Where: 5900, rue de Salaberry
Reason to go: You can wander among sculptures that bring stories to life, creating a unique space where books transcend their pages.
Badge-Making Session at Salaberry Library
When: December 27
Where: 4170, rue de Salaberry
Reason to go: A hands-on workshop where participants can create festive badges. This activity offers a creative break and a chance to make a personalized holiday memento.
Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
Christmas Movie at Benny Library
When: December 22
Where: 6400, ave Monkland
Reason to go: You can get into the holiday spirit with "The Grinch" (2018) and popcorn at this free screening, shown in French with English subtitles.
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Lachine
Winter Sliding at Parc Grovehill
When: Opens December 22
Where: 640, 36e Avenue
Reason to go: Parc Grovehill is a favourite for sledding fans with designated lanes and blown snow for an optimal sliding experience. There's the added comfort of a heated trailer on weekends and heated toilets every day — just make sure to check conditions before heading out.
Ice Skating
When: Check schedules for specific rink times
Where: Parc Carignan, Parc Dixie, Parc Kirkland, Parc LaSalle, Parc Michel-Ménard, Parc Rosewood, and behind 3051, boul. Saint-Joseph
Reason to go: Skate lovers have multiple options for outdoor ice rinks across the borough. With conditions regularly updated, and chalets at four parks providing a warm spot to lace up skates, it’s a perfect way to enjoy the crisp winter air.
Cross-Country Skiing along Lac Saint-Louis
When: Early 2024
Where: La Riveraine trail from Parc Summerlea to Parc Arthur-Therrien
Reason to go: The 21.3-km La Riveraine trail offers a spectacular cross-country skiing experience, with mechanical grooming for a smooth glide. The trail has beautiful stretches, including a loop in Parc René-Lévesque.
Loan of Sports Equipment
When: Starting December 15, equipment loan for up to seven days
Where: Bibliothèque Saul-Bellow and Parc Kirkland welcome center
Reason to go: Enjoy winter sports without the hassle of owning equipment. With a library card from Bibliothèque Saul-Bellow, you can borrow sleds, crampons, and snowshoes. At Parc Kirkland, take advantage of free skate loans on weekends.
Plateau-Mont-Royal
Festival Noël dans le Parc
When: Until December 24
Where:
- Parc Lahaie, 492, boul. Saint-Laurent
- Parc des Compagnons-de-Saint-Laurent, 4375, rue Cartier
Reason to go: Embrace the festive cheer with a visit to Parc Lahaie for a serene Christmas tree shopping experience accompanied by light entertainment. For a more lively atmosphere, head to Parc des Compagnons-de-Saint-Laurent, where you'll find not only trees but also a mini food kiosk, live performances, choral singing, and more.
Sud-Ouest
Wandering Choir in the Quartiers du Canal
When: December 21
Where:
- 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Square Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier
- 3 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: Parc du Bonheur-d’Occasion
- 3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Lionel-Groulx Metro Station
- 4:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.: Beanfield Theatre, 2490, rue Notre-Dame Ouest
Reason to go: The roaming chorale through the Quartiers du Canal brings the joy of holiday music to the streets. It's a unique opportunity to enjoy live festive songs while exploring the area.
Sentier de Lumières
When: Until January 11, 2024
Where: boulevard Monk, Parc Garneau, and Biencourt Square
Reason to go: See parts of the borough transform into a winter fairy tale with dazzling displays. It’s a chance to see well-known spaces in a new, radiant light, perfect for an enchanting evening out.
Le Village de Noël de Montréal
When: Until December 24
Where: Atwater Market
Reason to go: Montreal's Christmas Village is a festive market where you can shop for unique gifts, taste seasonal treats, and soak in the holiday atmosphere with family and friends.
Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Knit and Tea Wednesday at Langelier Library
When: Wednesday, December 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 6473, rue Sherbrooke Est
Reason to go: Bring your knitting needles and yarn, and join a cozy gathering of both new and experienced knitters. The library provides tea for a warm and social crafting session. No registration is required.
Retro Video Games at Langelier Library
When: Thursday, December 28, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 6473, rue Sherbrooke Est
Reason to go: You can travel back in time and play iconic video games from the 80s and 90s. Challenge friends to a game of Super Mario World or Sonic 2 and relive the excitement of classic gaming. Registration is required.
Montréal-Nord
Ice Skating at Aréna Fleury
When: December 22 to January 2, 2024; Tuesdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 3700, rue Fleury Est
Reason to go: The ice rink offers extended hours during the holiday season with open sessions available in the afternoons, it's a convenient and joyous way to glide into the new year.
Theatrical Watercolour Exhibit at Henri-Bourassa Library
When: Until January 8
Where: 5400, boul. Henri-Bourassa Est
Reason to go: Main characters from three plays are brought to life through period costumes, accompanied by the texts of the plays themselves.
"Illuminations" at the Montréal-Nord Cultural and Community Centre
When: January 11, 2024, at 8 a.m. to February 24, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Where: 12004, boul. Rolland
Reason to go: The evocative works of artists Carl-Philippe Simonise and Clovis-Alexandre Desvarieux will be on display. Don't miss the opportunity to meet the artists on February 3 at 3 p.m. to gain insight into their creative process and artistic journey.
Pierrefonds-Roxboro
Tales Around the Fire at Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park
When: December 27 at 2 p.m., and January 5 at 2 p.m.
Where: 3555, rue Douglas B Floreani, Saint-Laurent, QC
Reason to go: Gather for a storytelling session by the fire in the heart of Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park. It's a cozy way to spend the afternoon, wrapped up in tales and the warmth of the community hearth.
Super Mario Bros. Screening the Pierrefonds Library
When: Thursday, December 18, at 2 p.m.
Where: 13555, boul. Pierrefonds, Pierrefonds, QC
Reason to go: Everyone's favourite video game characters come to life on screen at this family-friendly event. It's a chance for kids and the young at heart to enjoy a classic tale of heroism and humour.
Board Game Workshops at Roxboro Library
When: Friday, December 29
Where: 110, rue Cartier
Reason to go: A selection of board games offers an afternoon of strategic fun, ideal for those looking to connect and compete in a friendly atmosphere.
Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles
Winter Activities
When: Throughout the winter season
Where: Various parks in RDP-PAT, including Parc de la Traversée for cross-country skiing
Reason to go: With 135 parks, RDP-PAT offers ample space for winter fun like ice skating or sledding. The parks provide perfect settings for outdoorsy types to enjoy the snow.
Snowman Building Contest
When: January 10 to March 12, 2024
Where: Online photo submission
Reason to go: You can showcase your creative flair as an individual, family, or group and win prizes.
"Complètement Grotesque!"
When: Until January 14, 2024, open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Maison Antoine-Beaudry, 14678, rue Notre-Dame Est
Reason to go: Marc Gagnon's exhibit presents sculptures that initially amuse but reveal layers of political and social commentary upon closer inspection. The free exhibition is a chance to engage with the thought-provoking humour of an artist with over 40 years in the field.
Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
Marché Jean-Talon Holiday Celebration
When: Weekends through December 23
Where: Marché Jean-Talon
Reason to go: Marché Jean-Talon dresses up in holiday style offering a festive program that includes local artisan products, holiday treats, troubadours, Christmas choirs, Santa visits, and other surprises. It's a vibrant spot to soak up the holiday spirit and find unique gifts.
Verdun
Le Pôle Well on Promenade Wellington
When: Open
Where: Promenade Wellington
Reason to go: Verdun's main street transforms into a storybook Christmas setting complete with a towering tree, a hidden enchanted alley, and two Christmas villages. The Pôle Well mailbox awaits your holiday wishes, and the ambiance is nothing short of magical.
Ville-Marie
Le Fêtes sur la Pointe
When: December 26 to December 30
Where: Place Royale, Vieux-Montréal
Reason to go: The enchanting holiday decor at Place Royale offers an escape with sparkling trees, cheerful wooden huts, and welcoming benches, the ambiance embodies the holiday spirit. The classic "Who is the real Santa Claus?" show by Pointe-à-Callière, featuring five daily performances, introduces Christmas characters from around the world, each sharing their country's Yuletide legend.
Grand Marché de Noël
When: Until December 31
Where: Quartier des spectacles
Reason to go: This outdoor Christmas market is an ideal spot to support local artisans. Thirty chalets filled with crafts, hot wine, and a blend of musical and theatrical performances create a vibrant shopping experience in the heart of downtown.
Noël dans le Parc
When: December 8 to December 31
Where: Place Émilie-Gamelin
Reason to go: This Christmas village offers fourteen nights of free outdoor musical performances, from country to electro, hip hop to rock, with DJs throwing down on Polar Sundays.
Enchanted Worlds
When: Until January 7
Where: McCord Museum
Reason to go: Ogilvy's mechanical Christmas window displays feature handmade Bavarian-themed scenes filled with animated animals. The Forest Mill outside the museum is accessible at all times.
Luminothérapie
When: Until March 10
Where: Along Sainte-Catherine Street West in the Quartier des spectacles
Reason to go: You can walk through colourful installations and an original video projection inspired by meteorological fluctuations that light up at night.
Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
Hiver-O-Parc
When: Every weekend from December 23, 2023, to March 10, 2024
Where: 22 parks across the borough
Reason to go: You can enjoy free access to snowshoes, skis, scooters, and more with the equipment loan service, available every weekend in a different park. You can also try out winter activities like skating, fat biking, snow sculpting, and more.
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