Month guide · Montreal · Canada
Montreal in December
What December is really like in Montreal: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brandon Moore ( Raskuly ), CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of -1°C (30°F), lows of -9°C (16°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 8.7 hours of daylight. Snow arrives, outdoor rinks open and the city decorates for the holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -1°C (30°F) / -9°C (16°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Montreal: days average -1°C (30°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about -9°C (16°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with November (6°C (43°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around -5°C (23°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:28
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:12
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Long and very cold, often below -10°C, with heavy snow; outdoor rinks, winter festivals and the Underground City keep the city active.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas markets and lights in Old Montreal and the Quartier des Spectacles (usually December)
- New Year's Eve celebrations in the Old Port
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Neighbourhood · Plateau Mont-Royal
Plateau and Mile End food walk
A walk from Parc La Fontaine through the Plateau to Mile End shows Montreal at its most local: row houses with curving outdoor staircases, large murals along Boulevard Saint-Laurent painted for the annual Mural Festival, and stops for smoked meat at Schwartz's and bagels on Rue Saint-Viateur.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Art
- Photo spot
Market · Old Montreal
Bonsecours Market
Visit the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel next door, the sailors' church, where model ships hang from the ceiling.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Free
Religious site · Old Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica
Completed in 1829, this Gothic Revival basilica on Place d'Armes has a deep-blue vaulted ceiling scattered with gold stars, elaborate carved woodwork and a large Casavant organ.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- After dark
Museum · Downtown
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Spend most of your time in the Quebec and Canadian art pavilion, and check the temporary exhibitions, which are often the highlight.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near -1°C, lows near -9°C and 13 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Montreal?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Montreal in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Montreal?
It is a shoulder-season month. Snow arrives, outdoor rinks open and the city decorates for the holidays.
+How warm is Montreal in December?
Average highs are around -1°C (30°F) and lows around -9°C (16°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Montreal in December?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.