It might be snowy outside. However, that doesn’t stop the fun in Montreal. From museums to outdoor ice skating and snowtubing to outdoor festivals, Montreal offers many ways to warm up in between outdoor activities. Between outdoor fun, have a hot chocolate at a bakery or tea and scones at an afternoon tea. Here are the top things to do in Montreal in winter.
19 Things to Do in Montreal in Winter
Go Snowtubing on Mont Royal
Cross Country Skiing
Snowshoe through the Forest
Lace up the Skates for Outdoor Ice Skating
Visit A Montreal Christmas Market
See the Santa Claus Parade
Ride the La Grande Roue Ferris Wheel
Visit the Canadian Railway Museum
Tour the Montreal Museum of Fine Art
Enjoy a Montreal Winter Festival
Visit the Montreal Science Center
Tour the BioSphere
Check out the Bugs at the Montreal Insectarium
Tour the Bio-Dome
See a Show at the Planetarium Rìo Tinto Alcan
Explore an Indoor Garden at Jardin Botanique
Go to a Hockey Game
Eat at One of Montreal’s Bakeries
Afternoon Tea at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel
Snowtubing on Mont-Royal
Overlooking the city, Mont-Royal is one of the top things to do in Montreal in winter. Centrally located, Beaver Lake is the place for both snow tubing and ice skating.
Named in 1535 by Jacques Cartier, Parc du Mont-Royal is a high point in Montreal, and the views are especially nice from its vantage point. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect of the Biltmore Estate and Central Park, it also features a sculpture garden, playgrounds and the popular overlook Mont Royal Chalet, or Belvedere Kondiaronk.
Snowtubing runs from mid-December until mid-March. Open daily in the season from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Ren
Located at Beaver Lake Pavilion, 2000 Remembrance Road, Montreal. Daily pass is $18 CAN for adults (12+) and $9 CAN (4 to 11).
Cross Country Skiing in Montreal
Montreal’s Mont Royal is an outdoors winter destination. Not only does it offer a snow tubing area, there is cross-country ski trails.
The cross-country ski trails are groomed daily. Skiers can depart from Beaver Lake (perfect if you need to rent skis). Or at the base of the hill near the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument if you own skis.
Snowshoeing in Montreal
Mont Royal is a great option for snowshoeing too. It features a 3 km snowshoeing path that rings Beaver Lake.
Snowshoe rentals are located at the Beaver Lake Pavilion. Rental prices start at $12.50 CAN.
Outdoor Ice Skating in Montreal
Rent a pair of skates and lace up for one of the top things to do in Montreal in Winter with Kids. There are skating rinks across Montreal, though the easiest to visit are centrally located.
Mont-Royal
Overlooking the city, Mont-Royal is one of the top things to do in Montreal in winter. Centrally located, Beaver Lake is transformed into an ice-skating rink during the winter.
Rental skates are available at the pavilion. There is also a cafe.
Esplanade Tranquille
This outdoor area is a favorite throughout the seasons. During the winter, it is transformed into a 16,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink. The area includes a changing area, rental skates, and a cafe.
Located in the Quartier des Spectacles at the intersection of Rue Clark and Rue Sainte Catherine. Free to skate, rental additional. Open daily with various hours.
Three-Day Itinerary for Saguenay Quebec
The Great Montreal Christmas Market
With over 60 stalls, the Great Montreal Christmas Market dazzles with live music, unique holiday shopping and festive treats. It is brimming with Christmas Spirit.
Located at the Place des Festivals. Open from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Free to enjoy.
Montréal Christmas Village
With 90 different activities, like the family fun in the Elves’ Kingdom, the Montreal Christmas Village is another top Christmas market. It also features over 60 different vendor stalls.
Located at Place du Marché Atwater, on the corner of Atwater Avenue between Sainte-Émilie Street and Greene Avenue. Open November 27 to December 21, 2025. Free to enjoy.
Santa Claus Parade
See Santa Claus ride his sleigh down René-Lévesque Boulevard on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. Parade-goers will also see bands, elves and floats
Located on René-Lévesque Boulevard, between Bishop and Saint-Urbain Streets. Free to enjoy.
Top Things to Do in Montreal with Kids in Summer
Ride the La Grande Roue Ferris Wheel
Standing tall in Old Port, Canada’s tallest observation wheel is 60 meters tall. It offers 18-minute rotations with breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.
Located at 362 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adult tickets are $28CAN, teens are $23 CAN and kids (5 to 12) are $16 CAN.
Canadian Railway Museum
Known as ExpoRail, this museum is a must for the train kid or anyone with an interest in transportation. As the largest railway museum in Canada, visitors can learn about the history of the Canadian railroads, along with seeing over 170 different railway vehicles.
For miniature lovers, the Canadian Railway Museum offers HO miniature trains as they travel across the Canadian landscape. In addition, visitors will find other exhibits covering train safety.
Located at 110 Saint-Pierre St. in Saint Croissant, on the south bank of Montreal. During the winter, the Canadian Railway Museum is open from Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The outdoor display is closed. Adult admission is $24 CAN, $13 CAN for kids 3 to 17.
Montreal Museum of Fine Art
As the largest art museum in Canada by size, it’s a must for art lovers of all ages. It features international and Canadian works of art, including International Contemporary Art, the Middle Ages, the Modern Era, International Art, and works from Canadian and Quebec artists. Visitors will also find an area dedicated to graphic arts and decorative arts, along with a sculpture garden.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Art offers a restaurant and a gift shop.
Located at 1300 Sherbrooke St. W. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Adults over 26, admission is $31, and everyone 25 and younger enters for free.
Montreal Winter Festivals with Kids
From late November through mid-March, Montreal is famous for its outdoor winter festivals. So layer up and head outdoors.
Lumino
Located in the Place des Festivals, it’s the Montreal Light Therapy Festival. For the shortest days, Montrealers enjoy a festival dedicated to light.
The Luminothérapie runs from November 27, 2025, to March 8, 2026.
Montreal en Lumiere
Located in the Quartier des Spectacles, this festival features live music, a Ferris wheel, and an ice slide, all for free. You can bring some marshmallows to toast at the numerous fire pits across the site.
The Montreal en Lumiere starts February 27 to March 7, 2026.
IglooFest
Located in the Old Port section of Montreal, this is a popular music festival. With a solid line-up of electronic music, it’s a must-do for music-loving kids.
The IglooFest runs from January 15 to February 7, 2026.
Montreal Science Center
Geared toward kids, the Montreal Science Center offers lots of hands-on activities for families. From the Mini Modo to the Creativity Studio to exhibits exploring the human body, families can learn together. Stroll special exhibitions that change throughout the year. Add an IMAX film, and you can spend the entire day at the Montreal Science Center.
Located at 2 de la Commune St. West. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $35 CAN and kids (2 to 17) are $25 CAN. IMAX is additional. Reservations are recommended during school breaks.
BioSphere
This globe-like structure is hard to miss in the Montreal skyline. Built for the 1967 Exhibition, it was added to the Space for Life exhibits in 2021 and features exhibitions on the environment. It’s best to check its calendar for current events.
Located at 160 Chemin du Tour de l’isle. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adult admission is $23.75 CAN, student admission (with ID) is $17.50 CAN, and kids 5 to 17 are $12.25 CAN.
Space for Life
A must for families, the Space for Life is a museum district. It was the original site of the 1976 Summer Olympics, though completely redeveloped. It offers five areas to explore during the winter, like the Bio-Dome, the Montreal Insectarium, the Planetarium, the Montreal Botanical Garden and the Biosphere.
Located at 4101 Sherbrooke and parking is available at 4581 Sherbrooke Est.
Montreal Insectarium
After a complete renovation, the Montreal Insectarium is crawling with bugs. In a bright space, visitors can marvel at the humongous bugs of every color. Some are mounted, and some are live specimens.
The Grand Vivarium offers insects living with no or little containment, and guests explore the area. It’s a unique space with free-flying butterflies and ant displays to observe.
Located at 4581 Sherbrooke Est. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $23.75 CAN, student admission (with ID) is $17.50 CAN, and kids 5 to 17 are $12.25 CAN.
Bio-Dome
With five different ecosystems to explore, the Bio Dome is one of the top things to do in Montreal in winter with kids. The BioDome mimics the conditions of each ecosystem with live plants and animals. So, in winter, some of the exhibits will feel cold.
Families can learn about the tropical rainforest with its unique animals and plants, a nice break from winter, since it is warm. The Gulf of St. Lawrence exhibit features its marine life, and the temperatures change throughout the year. The Laurentian Maple Forest is another exhibit with varying temperatures through the changing seasons, with live maple trees. The Labrador Coast showcases the animals of the remote area of Canada. Finally, the sub-Antarctic Islands area features penguins.
Located at 4777 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $23.75 CAN, student admission (with ID) is $17.50 CAN, and kids 5 to 17 are $12.25 CAN.
Planetarium Rìo Tinto Alcan
Explore the night sky at the Planetarium. Several shows are shown throughout the day.
Located at 4801 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Thursday, 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jardin Botanique
Yes, the Montreal Botanical Garden is open. The outdoor gardens are usually snow-covered, and they are free to enjoy during the winter season.
Note: the greenhouses at the Jardin Botanique are closed due to a renovation.
When open, the greenhouses are quite warm and lively. There are greenhouses dedicated to bonsai and bromeliads, along with cactus and orchids.
Located at 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $23.75 CAN, student admission (with ID) is $17.50 CAN, and kids 5 to 17 are $12.25 CAN.
Go to a Hockey Game
Can’t get any more Canadian than watching a hockey game. The Montreal Canadiens play from October until April.
The team plays at the Bell Centre in Downtown Montreal at 1909 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal. Tickets are required.
Breakfast at One of Montreal’s Bakeries
A trip to a bakery makes the day extra special, so start with your favorite or try a new-to-you bakery. A perfectly baked croissant is a thing of beauty and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate is perfect to warm up before a day out.
Bakeries are found across Montreal. Some of the best include La Bete a Pain, Patisserie Madeleine and Patisserie Rhubarbe.
Afternoon Tea at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel
Celebrate with afternoon tea at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. With views of the main dining room of the Rosélys Restaurant, find china teacups and an attentive staff.
The tea treats are served on a silver three-tier stand. Start with the savory offerings and taste the influence of the French with a foie gras macaron or a flavorful deviled egg. Then, move into the sweet side of tea with a fruit tart or a chocolate pastry. The Queen Elizabeth Hotel offers a special tea menu for guests under 12
Since kids enjoy fruity flavor,s order the Flora’s Berry Garden Herbal Tea. Additionally, adults can savor a bolder tea, like the Grand Bazar Spice. Bubbles are available for afternoon tea as well.
Located at 900 Rene Levesque W. Afternoon tea is available on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. Tea is $59 a person. Reservations are required.
Where to Stay in Montreal
Originally opened in 1958, Fairmount The Queen Elizabeth Hotel was completely renovated in 2017. It features 950 guest rooms along with an indoor pool. wellness center, spa, along with several restaurants.
Ideally located above the Montreal Central Station, find VIA, Canada’s rail system, steps from the hotel. Its address is 900 Boulevard René-Lévesque Quest (west) in downtown Montreal.
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