Christmas in Montreal: A Trip from Toronto

Montreal does Christmas with a European flair: a big outdoor Christmas market downtown, Old Montreal’s cobblestone streets lit for the season and cozy cafés everywhere. It’s about five hours from Toronto by train or car.

Le Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal

The city’s big Christmas market fills the Quartier des spectacles downtown with about 40 wooden chalets selling local and regional crafts, plus music and theatre, mulled wine and holiday food. In 2025 it ran from November 21 to January 4. Check noelmontreal.ca for 2026 dates.

More to do

• Old Montreal: decorated streets, the Notre-Dame Basilica and smaller holiday markets.
• Skating: outdoor rinks, including one in the Old Port.
• Food: bagels, poutine, tourtière and holiday sweets.

Old Montreal at Christmas

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) is one of North America’s most atmospheric historic districts, especially in winter. Its cobblestone streets, 18th- and 19th-century stone buildings and festive lights create a European feel. Highlights include:

• Notre-Dame Basilica, with its stunning blue and gold interior. Check for holiday concerts and Christmas services.
• Place Jacques-Cartier and rue Saint-Paul, lined with shops, galleries and restaurants.
• The Old Port, with an outdoor skating rink and winter activities by the St. Lawrence River.
• Bonsecours Market, a historic building with boutiques and Quebec crafts.

Quebec Christmas food to try

• Tourtière: a spiced meat pie served at the Christmas Eve réveillon.
• Bûche de Noël: the yule log cake from French patisseries.
• Montreal-style bagels, wood-fired and slightly sweet.
• Poutine, fries with cheese curds and gravy, perfect on a cold day.
• Maple taffy on snow, when available at winter events.
• Smoked meat sandwiches from Montreal’s famous delis.

Practical tips

• Language: French is the main language, but English is widely spoken downtown and in tourist areas. A friendly “Bonjour” goes a long way.
• Getting around: Montreal’s metro and underground city (RÉSO) make it easy to move around without going outside.
• Weather: Montreal is often colder and snowier than Toronto, so pack extra warm layers.
• Book ahead: hotels fill up over Christmas and New Year’s.

A Montreal Christmas weekend

Day 1: arrive by VIA Rail, explore the Christmas market in the Quartier des spectacles and have dinner downtown. Day 2: spend the day in Old Montreal, skate at the Old Port and visit Notre-Dame Basilica. Day 3: brunch, a walk up Mount Royal for city views, then the train home.

Montreal Christmas trip: FAQ

How long is the train from Toronto to Montreal? About five hours on VIA Rail.

When is the Montreal Christmas market? In 2025 it ran from November 21 to January 4; check 2026 dates on the market’s website.

Getting there

VIA Rail connects Toronto’s Union Station with Montreal in about five hours. By car, it’s about five and a half hours via Highway 401.

More: Christmas day trips from Toronto · Christmas in Ottawa