Canada
Montreal in December
❄️ Snowy winterCold and some showers. Watch for snow & ice risk.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat · compact umbrella or rain jacket
Why December scores 7.1What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.4
- !Cold (-2°C highs / -9°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -8°C)
- !Wet: ~102 mm rain, ~3 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.4
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~9 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards8.5
- !Snow & ice: Average low -9°C
- Safety baseline8.5
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.1 Good | 9.2 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Snowy winter | 🌷 Spring |
| High / low | -2° / -9° | 19° / 10° |
| Rain | 102 mm | 87 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -8° | dew pt 9° |
| PM2.5 | 9 µg/m³ | 9 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Montreal McGill weather-station normals. Rainfall: McGill University weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Montreal
- Snowy daysIn DecemberTypical datesSnow likely Nov–Apr (most in Jan: ~14 days)
Average number of days with snowfall at Montreal McGill. About 46 cm of snow falls in an average Jan.
Source: Montreal McGill weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)
Explore MontrealEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyQuebec's largest city, a French-speaking metropolis with a historic old town, lively neighbourhoods, a strong food scene and a packed festival calendar.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
IgloofestDate variesUsually mid-January to early February, on weekends
An outdoor electronic music festival held in winter.
Why go: Dress for well below freezing temperatures.
Where: Old Port
Canadian Grand PrixDate variesUsually late May or June
The Formula 1 race on the island circuit.
Why go: Hotel prices rise sharply that weekend.
Where: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Île Notre-Dame
Fête nationale du QuébecEvery year24 June every year
Quebec's national holiday (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day) with concerts and parties.
Why go: Many businesses close for the holiday.
Where: Citywide
Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica
Cobbled streets of the historic district and the richly decorated Gothic Revival basilica.
Mount Royal
The park-covered mountain in the city centre with views from the Kondiaronk Belvedere.
Jean-Talon Market
A large year-round public market in Little Italy with Quebec produce.
Plateau Mont-Royal
A neighbourhood of colourful houses with outdoor staircases, cafes and shops.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The city's major art museum, with Canadian, Quebec and international collections.
Saint Joseph's Oratory
A huge domed basilica on the slopes of Mount Royal.
Poutine
Fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, Quebec's best-known dish.
Montreal-style bagels
Hand-rolled bagels boiled in honey water and baked in wood-fired ovens.
💡 Fairmount and St-Viateur bakeries in Mile End
Montreal smoked meat
Spiced, smoked beef brisket piled into sandwiches.
💡 Schwartz's on Saint-Laurent, open since 1928
Maple taffy
Hot maple syrup poured on snow and rolled onto a stick.
💡 Sugar shacks outside the city in early spring
Tourtière
A spiced meat pie traditionally eaten around Christmas.
Maple syrup
Quebec produces most of the world's maple syrup.
💡 Jean-Talon and Atwater markets
Ice cider
A sweet dessert cider made from frozen Quebec apples.
Inuit art
Sculptures and prints by Inuit artists.
💡 Galleries; look for the Igloo Tag authenticity label