Christmas in Montreal is a magical time of year, with festive lights and decorations in the streets and a variety of holiday activities to enjoy. Montreal is officially the most festive city in Canada, with three Christmas markets taking place around the city.
Montreal Christmas Market starts on 19th November with the opening of The Great Christmas Market or Le Grand Marché de Noël.
With its vibrant culture, lively atmosphere, and diverse population, Montreal is a great destination for anyone looking for a unique and memorable experience.
From its European-style architecture to its delicious cuisine, Montreal offers something for everyone and winter is one of the most beautiful times to visit.
Montreal Christmas Market 2022
The Christmas market in Montreal is one of Canada’s largest holiday events and is held annually in the heart of Montreal.
The market is open from late November to late December and features over 150 exhibitors, many of whom are local artisans, makers, and creators local to Quebec.
Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, unique holiday foods and drinks, as well as a wide variety of activities and attractions.
The markets offer a variety of holiday-themed activities for children, including the movie sled, Kingdom of the Elves and the Golden Cookie trail.
Montreal Christmas Village is focused on ethical and lower-impact products and gifts.
Dates and Locations
Montreal Christmas Market dates:
The Great Christmas Market: 19th November to 31st December 2022.
Opening times: 19th November to 18th December open Thursday to Sunday. 3pm to 9pm. Opens at 10am on the weekends. 19th December to 31st December open daily. 1pm to 9pm. Closes at 7pm on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Location: Quartier des Spectacles on Sainte-Catherine Street between Balmoral and Clark.
Montreal Christmas Village: Friday to Sunday from 24th November to 18th December 2022.
Opening times: Friday 5pm to 10pm. Saturday 11am to 7pm. Sunday 11am to 5pm.
Location: Place du Marché Atwater, at the corner of Saint-Ambroise Street and Atwater Avenue.
Jean-Talon Christmas Market: Friday to Sunday from 26th November to 18th December 2022.
Opening times: 10am to 6pm (opens at 12pm on Fridays).
Location: Outside of Jean-Talon Market.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Vegetarian: Yes. Many options.
Vegan: Yes. Soups, stews and a few other options.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes. Dogs are allowed on a lead.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Bicyle parking is available.
Recommended tour: Discover the character of Old Montreal with a detailed walking tour with a local guide.
Specialties: Tartiflette, raclette, fondue, poutine, chocolate and vin chaud.
Where to stay: Hôtel Birks Montréal is a unique hotel located on Place Phillips, one block from the main Christmas market.
Hotels near Montreal Christmas Market
Several interesting neighbourhoods in Montreal are ideal places to stay for visitors to the city.
Old Montreal is a historic district full of cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture and charming cafes. Downtown is the city centre where you’ll find many sights and attractions.
Quartier des Spectacles is the lively arts and culture district and is the perfect place to explore Montreal’s vibrant music and theatre scene. This is the main Christmas market location and the area where I recommend staying.
I suggest staying at Hôtel Birks Montréal due to its location in the Quartier des Spectacles and proximity to the Christmas market.
Location of Montreal Christmas Market
Things to do in Montreal in Winter
If this is your first time in Montreal, here are a few ideas to get you started with sightseeing and activities.
- Ice skating – Montreal has several outdoor skating rinks, including the iconic skating rink at the Old Port.
- Snowshoeing – Explore the city’s many parks, trails, and green spaces on snowshoes.
- Ice fishing – Try your luck at ice fishing in one of the city’s many ice fishing spots.
- Skiing and snowboarding – Take advantage of the ski hills and resorts nearby, such as Mont Saint-Sauveur and Mont Tremblant.
- Tobogganing – Enjoy a classic winter activity on one of Montreal’s many toboggan hills.
- Snow tubing – Hop on an inner tube and slide down a hill at one of Montreal’s snow tubing parks.
- Sleigh rides – Get a unique view of the city on a horse-drawn sleigh ride.
- Hockey – Catch a Montreal Canadiens game at the Bell Centre.
- Shopping – Take a stroll down the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal and browse the many boutique shops.
- Festivals – Enjoy the bright lights, music and culture.
Enjoy more Christmas markets in Canada with my guide to what’s on this winter.
Visit Montreal is a great resource for things to do in the city this winter.
Sustainable Travel Tips
Many of us are increasingly concerned about climate change and sustainability. I’ve listed some small actions we can take to help lower our impact at this event.
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle, and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
- If possible, avoid flying to your destination.
FAQ
Montreal Christmas Market starts on 19th November and ends on 31st December 2022.
The main Christmas market is located at Quartier des Spectacles on Sainte-Catherine Street between Balmoral and Clark.
If you would like to leave a review of Montreal Xmas Market, feel free to comment below.
—
Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Montreal, Canada. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
Leave a Reply