What a pleasure it is to be in Montreal during the summer season, enjoying festivals and many outdoor activities! Why not extend this pleasure during the winter season? Montreal offers a multitude of activities in winter for the outdoor enthusiasts as well as for culture lovers. Let us introduce you to our top 10 activities to try during winter in the city.
1. Olympic Tower
There is a lot of action near the Montreal Tower during winter. Take advantage of your visit to admire the northern landscape. At a height of 165 metres and an inclination of 45 degrees, it is the world’s tallest inclined tower. It’s a must-see and is listed in numerous travel-guides, including the prestigious Michelin Guide.
Learn all the secrets of the tower by taking a complete guided tour of the stadium. Guides are on hand to tell its story and share several anecdotes.
The Depuis 1976 exposition will help history lovers discover the development of the Olympic Park. This exposition will immerse you into the 1970’s and includes numerous objects, archive photos and videos. This permanent gallery has a selection of different themes, such as sports, architecture and arts. The exhibition is included with your visit to the Observatory as well as the guided tour of the Olympic Stadium.
During the summer, enjoy the package offered by AML Cruises which includes a cruise on the St. Lawrence River and a visit to the Olympic Tower. A full day to explore the St. Lawrence and the magnificent panorama of the metropolis, followed by a tour of the stadium tower which allows a 360 degree view is, what more could you want? A wide range of activities that allow you to observe the city from every possible angle!
https://parcolympique.qc.ca/en/what-to-do/the-montreal-tower/
2. Holiday Cruises
Those who wish to enjoy a maritime experience closer to home, as opposed to going South, as the holiday season approaches, can come aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim during December and savour a festive brunch that will please the whole family.
Rediscover the magic of Christmas aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim while observing the beauty of the Old Port. Start the festive season with your friends and family, and admire the scenery as Christmas approaches. Known for his fine gastronomy, the renowned AML Cavalier Maxim Chef will concoct a variety of delicious dishes.
That’s not all, children as well as parents will be tempted by the spectacular chocolate fountain. The AML winter cruises are packed with fun and entertainment for toddlers, in a traditional holiday atmosphere. Be sure to meet at the Grand Quai in the Old Port of Montreal.
3. Nordic festivals
Montréal en Lumière
Montréal en Lumière has been revitalizing the city for years, thanks to its activities in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles. Various events are presented, which include a gastronomic program, outdoor activities and the famous Nuit Blanche presenting 300 cultural activities accessible to all residents. To celebrate its 20 years of existence, the Montréal en Lumière festival takes its participants on a journey, thanks to its gastronomic program which visits several countries, including Israel, Iceland, and Panama.
https://www.montrealenlumiere.com/en-CA
Igloofest
Put on your winter suits and come dance and sway to the electronic music in the Old Port of Montreal. It’s a feast for the eyes and the ears as visual arts occupy an important place in the Igloofest. During the festival, you will have the chance to see several projections and visual effects created by local artists.
Fête des neiges
An event that kids love! The Fête des neiges de Montréal is held over four weekends at the Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montréal. You will fall in love with winter after visiting this festival! On the menu, icy slides, dog sled adventures, ice sculpting on site and numerous outdoor shows for the whole family.
http://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/en/fete-des-neiges-de-montreal/
4. Pointe-à-Callière Museum
Collecteur de memoires exhibition
In spite of the cold Siberian temperature outside, you still feel like going out? Why not visit the Pointe-à-Callière Museum and discover Montreal’s archaeology and history? The permanent exhibition Collecteur de mémoires highlights a majestic civil engineering work by exposing the first collector sewer built in North America from 1832 to 1838. Since May 2017, visitors are immersed in a mysterious universe and can explore a portion of this underground sewer. Almost a work of art, the Collecteur de mémoires installations are beautifully presented thanks to bright projections on the stone walls and an acoustic environment created especially for the occasion.
Cruise and museum
During summer,
Durant l’été, Croisières AML offre un forfait croisière et musée, deux activités qui se côtoient dans le Vieux-Port de Montréal et qui peuvent être réalisées sans voiture. Le musée Pointe-à-Callière est un incontournable pour mieux comprendre l’histoire de Montréal.
5. Fireworks
We are aware that days go by quickly during the winter and that darkness falls rapidly in December. Why not take advantage of these long evenings? Brighten up your winter and head to Montreal’s Old Port skating rink with the Feux Natrel!
On Saturdays, enjoy a fireworks display in one of Montreal’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. You simply have to pay the usual fees for access to the ice rink. All you need is a little will power to go outside, skates and a good thermos of hot chocolate!
The explosion of fireworks is always a magical spectacle, summer or winter. During the summer season, the best view point to observe these grandiose explosions of lights is the St. Lawrence River. What’s more memorable than watching fireworks while savouring a gourmet meal in the middle of the St. Lawrence? Discover our cruise-fireworks package on the AML Cruises website.
6. The classic mont Royal
No need to travel for miles to enjoy nature, there are lots of outdoor activities on mont Royal. You can snowshoe during the day as well as in the evening in the heart of Montreal, thanks to Snowshoeing by the Light of the City organised by the Friends of the Mountain. You can skate as lovers or with the family in from of Beaver Lake Lodge...an enchanting location. If your children prefer more excitement, mont Royal has a slope for tube sliding in front of Beaver Lake.
It is also possible to enjoy cross-country skiing or simply walking to the top of the mountain where you will have an exceptional panoramic view of Montreal during the winter.
7. Activity in nature
Saint-Jacques Park
Montreal is not just an urban metropolis, it is also a nature city with numerous parks. If everyone is familiar with Mont-Royal Park, Saint-Jacques Park is a fantastic site to discover. Situated on Gouin Boulevard in Montréal, the area is surrounded by a forest and a river which allows you to enjoy many activities including bird watching in full nature.
Educational activities are offered throughout the winter season in the Park. The programming is quite varied and you can learn just as much on the production and processing of maple syrup as the life of insects during winter!
8. Cultural events
Montréal/Nouvelles Musiques
For fans of contemporary music, the Montréal/Nouvelles Musique festival is a must, year after year. Come and let yourself be swayed by the melodious and exhilarating music when this essential platform for creative music is offered.
http://www.smcq.qc.ca/mnm/en/2019
Rendez-vous du Québec cinéma
Present on the Quebec art scene for decades, the Rendez-vous Québec cinéma returns yearly in full force. This festival is dedicated to movie lovers but also to the curious cinephiles who wish to discover films made by Quebec filmmakers.
During 11 days, spectators watch over 300 films, including 100 premieres and also participate to some to the 30 free activities and events available. The festival is also the rendezvous of more than 400 artists and professionals of the industry who share their passion with the public as well as showcase Quebec’s cinema.
https://rendez-vous.quebeccinema.ca/
Light Therapy
Winter doesn’t seem to be as cold and as dark when we participate in the annual outdoor Luminothérapie event in Montreal. This year’s new installation, Effet domino, is composed of 120 full scale illuminated dominos on which it is possible to interact and create melodies.
You can also watch Probabilités de neige: 100 %, video production that projects funny and colourful images of winter in Quebec on many Quartier des spectacles buildings.
https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/luminotherapie
9. Outdoor sporting activities
Winter indoor race
Do you find it too hot to run in the summer and too cold in the winter? Come participate in the BougeBouge 5KM Montréal Souterrain. Runners meet at the starting line at Cours Mont-Royal. It’s not every day that we can run with a hundred people in an underground shopping center! This activity will appeal to the whole family since the primary mission of this race is to get everyone moving and also to emphasise the pleasure of participating in sports while having fun.
http://www.bougebouge.com/evenement/bougebouge-5km-montreal-souterrain/
Ice canoe competition
The ice canoeing competition in Montreal is an occasion for you to attend a unique and spectacular winter sporting event on the banks of the Old Port. See ice canoe athletes racing over several kilometres in the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River. It’s a muscular and demanding event you shouldn’t miss.
Ice fishing
Did you know that it is possible to enjoy ice fishing in Montréal? Yes, yes, you read it correctly! Pêche Vieux Montréal, with its all-inclusive service, offers you the opportunity to try your luck at fishing. Equipment and the bait are provided. You don’t have to worry about the cold, a heated shelter (fishing-shack) is provided. Memorable souvenirs await you!
10. Christmas Party on the water
This year celebrate Christmas with AML Cruises! For a most original venue to hold your office party, come aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim on the St. Lawrence River. In a festive atmosphere, savour a gourmet meal and take a few turns on the dance floor. The turn-key concept includes a welcome cocktail, 4-course table d’hôte, 3-hour cruise, DJ, entertainment, cloakroom service and a maximum of pleasure!
