Not-to-be-missed winter activities in Montreal

Updated May 31, 2024
montreal
To the point From cultural, family and gourmet outings to more athletic pursuits, here are ten wintertime suggestions for Montreal.

Shows and treats downtown

This winter’s must-see event. The Quartier des spectacles will host the 25th edition of Montreal High Lights for ten days.

As always, there’s no shortage of downtown activities, including a wide range of culinary experiences, a Luminothérapie art trail, a variety of indoor shows, a skating trail on the Tranquille esplanade, a Ferris wheel and electrifying evenings like Nuit Blanche.

MTL-en-lumiere
Crédit photo : facebook de Montréal en lumière

On the gourmet side, the festival will feature international chefs and artisans. As part of the Bonnes Tables Air Franceprogram, some twenty chefs will be hosted in several Montreal restaurants, including Emmanuel Pilon, Julien Royer, Glenn Viel and Caterina Ceraudo.

Do you have an American Express Cobalt® Card to pay for your meal? This card is a favorite among points lovers, offering 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases categorized as restaurants.

The Quartier Gourmand, located in the Maison du Festival, will offer culinary demonstrations, tastings, round tables and 5 à 7s.

Several special events will also be on the program, including the Air France 90th Anniversary Dinner on February 23 and 24 at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ).

  • Quartier des spectacles
  • February 29 to March 10, 2024
  • The gourmet program kicks off on February 22, 2024
  • For the festival program, click here.

The best of electro in the Old Port

Get out your best ski suit: the Igloofest Montreal electronic music festival – the coldest in the world – is back. Diplo, The Blaze, REZZ, Eric Prydz, Armin van Buuren, Eric Prydz, Marc Rebillet, Partiboi69 and many other artists will be taking part in this 16th edition. The Old Port will host four weekends of electro music from January 18, 2024.

Some twenty après-ski evenings will also be on the menu in Old Montreal, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Artists include Fabrikate, Coco & Breezy, Luke Alessi, lNVŌKER and Surf Gang.

Igloofest
Facebook : Igloofest

Families can take part in freeIgloofête activities on Saturdays from 1 to 6 pm.

  • Quai Jacques-Cartier, Old Port of Montreal
  • January 18 to February 10, 2024
  • For festival programming, click here

Free skating entertainment

The first 2022-2023 season of the esplanade Tranquille skating rink was a real success! Located in the heart of downtown, this 1,500 m2 facility welcomed more than 250,000 skaters, according to the Ville de Montréal.

Haven’t had the chance to experience it yet? Put on your skates and enjoy: the rink is open Sunday to Wednesday, 9 am to 10 pm, and Thursday to Saturday, 9 am to 11 pm.

patinoire
Bonjour Québec - Ulysse Lemerise

Starting December 16 Disco Fever will be back on Saturdays from 7:30 pm to 11 pm. It’s the perfect activity for those who like to skate and dance to disco.

A skate rental counter is located at Le Repaire in the pavilion.

  • Until April 13, 2024
  • Esplanade Tranquille
  • For activity schedules, click here

Art at the cinema and in your home

The Festival International du Film sur l’Art (FIFA) is a great opportunity to discover the work of artists working in the fields of film, video and the visual arts.

This 42nd edition, featuring the latest productions of films about art and art films from some forty countries, will take place theatrically and online (from March 22 to 31, 2024) on the ARTS.FILM streaming platform.

FIFA

Available all year round, this virtual space offers hundreds of films, many of them exclusive to Canada. In the comfort of your lounge, you can choose between documentaries, fiction, biographical films and discussions.

  • Several locations and online
  • March 12 to 24, 2024
  • For festival programming, click here

Travel to the heart of Asia's cultural heritage

The immersive experience of Dreaming Asia should meet the expectations of those who love the cultural heritage of China and Japan.

The world ofOASIS immersion, a 2,000 m2 multimedia space, invites you to discover several sets, including China’s most famous painting, Quingming’s Party by the River.

Oasis immersion
Facebook : OASIS immersion

To complete this 80-minute tour, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a Tea Tasting Workshop and a Sake Tasting Workshop, on Saturdays and Sundays.

  • Palais des Congrès de Montréal
  • Since December 13, 2023
  • Tickets available at fixed dates and times

This exhibition could give you ideas for a trip to Asia. Here are a few suggestions to inspire you:

New poutines to discover

La Poutine Week is back for its 12th edition. As part of the event, special poutines will be created by participating restaurants. You can vote for the best on the official website.

And there’s something for everyone, as there is every year, with braised beef, fried chicken, duck confit, chorizo, shrimp, Tex-Mex, Texan or vegan.

poutine
Facebook - La Belle Tonki

The 2023 edition crowned La Belle Tonki, in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, with its original Tonkiyaki… octopus poutine, inspired by Japanese street food.

  • February 1 to 7, 2024
  • In participating restaurants

The ultimate cycling event

The Salon du vélo de Montréal and the Salon du triathlon are the two big events for bike fanatics, who flock there every year to discover the latest innovations and trends. A test track will be available for you to try out the bike of your dreams.

velo
Facebook - Salon du vélo de Montréal

This 22nd edition, which will welcome nearly 200 exhibitors, will not only allow you to admire superb bikes, but also to gather valuable information to help you organize your cycling vacation in Quebec or abroad.

Numerous conferences and demonstrations will also be on the program.

  • Palais des congrès de Montréal
  • February 16 to 18, 2024

Original puppets in the spotlight

String, rod and girdle puppets come to life alongside masks, robotic forms and other creative objects at the 19th edition of the Casteliers Festival.

As every year, this event dedicated to the performing arts will present shows for children and adults in several theaters.

marionnettes
Facebook - Festival de Casteliers

In Outremont, a number of puppets made by different artists will be on display in shop windows.

  • March 6 to 10, 2024
  • Several venues, including the Outremont theater

Visit nature parks on skis and snowshoes

It would be a shame to miss out! Nature parks offer rental equipment so you can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and (re)discover Montreal’s trails.

Rentals will be free of charge for children aged 17 and under residing in the Greater Montreal area (limited-time offer).

ski

Reservations for snowshoes and skis are mandatory in the following nature parks:

You can also sign up for à la carte ski lessons for adults (14+) and families (6+).

  • Saturdays and Sundays
  • January 6 to February 25
  • Dates and times vary by park

Experience the magic of Disney with your family

This immersive exhibition has already conquered many cities, including Toronto, Las Vegas and Tokyo. Lighthouse Immersive Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios offer you the opportunity to travel in images and music through the world of Walt Disney animated films.

disney
Facebook - Lighthouse Immersive

The Snow Queen, The Lion King, Encanto, The Little Mermaid and many other productions will be featured in this event, launched in Montreal on December 15.

With VIP and Premium tickets, you can even wear a bracelet that lights up in different colors as you watch the various projections.

  • Arsenal art contemporain de Montréal
  • Until February 25, 2024

This exhibition should make you want to book a trip to Walt Disney World Resort.

Here are our suggestions for preparing your trip and earning points:

Montreal getaway in an exceptional hotel

Montréal en lumière is a popular winter event, taking place from February 29 to March 10, 2024. Fancy a few nights away from the ordinary to discover the various activities? Humaniti Montréal – a Marriott Bonvoy hotel – is one of the festival’s hotel partners.

If you choose this establishment, you’ll earn Marriott Bonvoy points when you book.

Not familiar with points? The ultimate aim of these rewards is to gain access to free hotel nights, as well as other benefits such as free breakfasts.

In Canada, the easiest way to fill up on Marriott Bonvoy points is via credit card. American Express offers two cards linked to this loyalty program:

Each of these Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offers an attractive welcome bonus and the chance to earn points on all your purchases.

Our ultimate Marriott Bonvoy guide will help you better understand this loyalty program and its benefits.

Where to have fun in Montreal?

Would you like to try your hand at winter biking at Parc Jean-Drapeau, marvel at Notre-Dame Basilica or gaze at the city from a gondola on Montreal’s Ferris wheel? Tourisme Montréal offers you an online activity search tool based on your tastes and the different neighborhoods.

What to do in Montreal tonight?

The Quartier des spectacles, located downtown, offers a wide range of cultural activities, events of all kinds and the best bars in town. Select your type of outing online on the official website.

What to do at the end of the week

Test a new spa in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. The Spa Carré Saint-Louis features a Jacuzzi-style pool-spa and eucalyptus steam bath. Or indulge in one of Canada’s best new 2023 restaurants , such as Molière par Mousso.

Where to go out in Montreal today?

The Ville de Montréal provides a directory of activities for each day of the week, in the city’s various boroughs.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Emmanuelle Froment

Emmanuelle Froment

Emmanuelle Froment
Emmanuelle, a solo traveler and animal lover, has journeyed through numerous countries. A Scene+ expert and Caribbean travel specialist, she shares insights on maximizing rewards. Her love for the sea, inspired by family vacations in France's Languedoc-Roussillon, led her to spend 8 years in the French Antilles. While the call of the ocean remains, Montreal—her heart's city—is where she truly feels at home.
All posts by Emmanuelle Froment
Region
North America, Canada, Montreal

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