Montreal is officially the most festive city in Canada. Two winter markets take place around the city, including the Great Christmas Market, which is the Le Grand Marché de Noël.
Full details for each market, including confirmed dates and opening hours, can be found below.
Montreal’s Two Huge Christmas Markets Happening in 2024
Dates and Locations – Confirmed
Montreal dates:
The Great Market: 22nd November to 30th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Quartier des Spectacles on Sainte-Catherine Street between Balmoral and Clark.
Opening times:
22nd November to 15th December 2024:
Thursday and Friday: 3pm to 10pm.
Saturday: 11am to 10pm.
Sunday: 11am to 8pm.
16th December to 30th December 2024:
Sunday to Friday: 1pm to 9pm.
Saturday: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Eve: 1pm to 7pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
The Village: Friday to Sunday from 28th November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Place du Marché Atwater, at the corner of Saint-Ambroise Street and Atwater Avenue.
Opening times:
Friday: 5pm to 9pm.
Saturday: 11am to 8pm.
Sunday: 11am to 6pm.
30th November: 4pm to 7pm.
1st December: 11am to 10pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Jean-Talon: Friday to Sunday from 30th November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: In front of Jean-Talon Market.
Opening times:
Friday: 12pm to 6pm.
Saturday: 10am to 6pm.
Sunday: 10am to 5pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Vegetarian: Yes. Many options.
Vegan: Yes. Soups, stews and a few other options.
Gluten-free: Yes, some options.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No.
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: Hotel Monville is an eco-friendly hotel located near the main market.
Convenient Hotels
Several interesting neighbourhoods in Montreal are ideal places for visitors to stay.
Old Montreal is a historic district with cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and charming cafes. Downtown is the city centre, where you’ll find many sights and attractions.
Quartier des Spectacles is a lively arts and culture district and the main market location where I recommend staying. The Hotel Monville is a great option in this area.
Enjoy more winter markets with my guide to the best Christmas Markets in Canada.
Event Location
Christmas in 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.
You 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 a smaller event focused on ethical and lower-impact products and gifts.
Montreal is my favourite Canadian city. I’ve only ever visited in winter and found so many things to do.
- Museums – The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a renowned institution where you can admire a diverse collection of art. The McCord Museum tells the story of Montreal’s past and present.
- Art galleries – The Darling Foundry is a unique space dedicated to contemporary art, hosting exhibitions from local and international artists. Of course, smaller galleries are scattered throughout the city, each providing a unique perspective on the art world.
- Movies – The Cinémathèque Québécoise is an excellent spot for film buffs to explore Quebec’s cinematic heritage.
- Theatre – Theatre is another cornerstone of Montreal’s cultural scene. Venues like Place des Arts and Centaur Theatre regularly stage a variety of performances.
- Food experiences – Montreal has plenty of options for eating out, with a range of excellent restaurants serving a mix of traditional and contemporary cuisine.
- Ice skating – The Old Port’s skating rink is a famous spot in the heart of the city.
- Snowshoeing – Montreal’s numerous parks, trails, and green spaces provide the perfect backdrop for your wintry exploration.
- Skiing and snowboarding – Montreal’s proximity to ski hills and resorts such as Mont Saint-Sauveur and Mont Tremblant allows you to do some skiing and snowboarding.
- Sleigh rides – Want a more relaxed activity? Go for a horse-drawn sleigh ride.
- Hockey – It wouldn’t be a Montreal winter without catching a Montreal Canadiens game at the Bell Centre.
- Shopping – Montreal’s neighbourhoods are teeming with boutique shops.
At the Market Stalls
- Poutine: As you wander around the market, get some poutine, a Quebecois specialty.
- Tourtière: Another snack to look out for is the tourtière, a French-Canadian meat pie.
- Maple taffy: Sweet snacks.
- Smoked meat: You’ll likely encounter the unmistakable smell of Montreal’s famed smoked meat.
- Beavertails: Fried dough topped with a variety of sweet toppings such as Nutella, cinnamon sugar or lemon juice.
- Gingerbread cookies: Find beautifully decorated gingerbread cookies that are almost too cute to eat.
- Mulled wine: Enjoy a cup of mulled wine to keep you warm as you stroll through the market. Remember you can keep the mug as a souvenir.
- Stollen: Another German specialty, Stollen is a rich, fruity bread with nuts, spices and a marzipan centre, dusted with icing sugar.
- Churros: Enjoy some Spanish influence with churros.
Sustainability Tips
- 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.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
Xiaokun Li
Hello, I live in Montreal. I am a craftsman who makes original handmade earrings. I would like to apply for a booth in the Christmas market on Saint-Catherine Street. I have the instergram page:named no.76_accessory_boutique.
Wait for your reply.
Thank you!
Andrea Anastasakis
Hi, you need to contact the organiser of the Christmas market. I’m not sure who that is, sorry.