Montreal is so beautiful under a fresh coat of snow! Even more so during the holidays when the Christmas lights are twinkling and glowing through the white snow. Every year since we moved south we look forward to our holiday time visit—it has become a tradition! To reunite and celebrate with family is the main purpose of our trip but we also get to reminisce about our lives there, after all, this is where we spent most of our lives. Revisiting some of our favorite places and indulging in some of our favorite foods is always part of our itinerary.
Our must-see places at that time of the year
The view of the city from Mont Royal Lookout is amazing, especially on clear days, we can see for miles and miles. The crisp cold air is invigorating and somehow seems fresher from the top of the mountain. Nearby, at Beaver Lake (Lac des Castors) people come to embrace the joy of winter: kids (and a few adults too) playing in the snow, sliding or ice skating. Some take leisurely strolls while others go cross country skiing through the trails. All this in the heart of the city! Keep an eye out for Raccoons too.
Strolling through the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Montreal is a must. The Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the most beautiful buildings in Montreal. It is even more glorious all lit up for Christmas. As many as 4000 worshippers can fit inside the church and services are held regularly. There are even concerts put on in this incredible place. The acoustics are excellent and the splendid interior can only enhance any experience. Aura is an ongoing light show to see.
Stopping at Ogilvy’s on Ste-Catherine Street to admire their pretty mechanical toy holiday window is also a tradition. They have been doing this display since 1947. To avoid the holiday shoppers madness, go on Christmas Day—the area is deserted!
Wintertime in Montreal
Mont-Royal Park, Jean-Drapeau Park on Île Sainte-Hélène as well as many others offer plenty of fun winter activities for all to enjoy. Numerous festivals take place year-round in the city, Montrealers celebrate the winter with the carnival: Fête des neiges de Montréal and the light festival: Montréal en Lumière. Festivities for Montreal’s 375th Anniversary are already taking place, one more reason to go visit.
If you were hoping to ski or snowboard then going up north to the Laurentians would be a good choice. There are many ski resorts to choose from but reserving early is necessary during high season as sleeping in your car isn’t possible.
At that time of the year the weather can be unpredictable. Last year, it was unusually warm on Christmas Eve—people were jogging, biking and some were even wearing shorts! There was no snow on the ground, which was a bit disappointing; somehow green Christmases aren’t the same. This year during our short stay, we got a taste of snowy, frigid and icy conditions.
When traveling to Montreal in December, one never knows what the weather will be like so check the forecast and pack accordingly. This last Christmas Eve huge snowflakes were adding a fresh dusting of snow for a White Christmas. It was beautiful.
Related Posts:
- Thing to See and Do in Montreal, Canada
- Aura, a Spectacular Light Show in the Heart of the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
One reply on “A Few Days in Montreal for the Holidays”
So pretty … and so nice to see friends and family.