Things to do in Montreal this December

The best things to do in Montreal during December fill the calendar with ballet, punk rock, immersive art, and more than enough holiday spirit.

The Main

The Main

November 26, 2025- Read time: 13 min
Things to do in Montreal this DecemberPhotograph: JF Savaria / @jfsavaria

The best things to do in Montreal during December turn the city into a hub of festivities: Holiday markets arrive with purpose, skating rinks open under strings of lights, and suddenly everyone's got plans that involve hot cocktails and group dining. The city leans into the cold, filling the streets with illuminated art installations, packing concert halls with seasonal traditions, and reminders why winter here is a season worth experiencing, not hiding from it.

Seriously. We're not kidding. The cultural calendar refuses to slow down.

Ballet companies stage their annual spectacles, museums unveil major exhibitions, indie bands play packed rooms, and the city's bars and clubs throw parties that acknowledge the absurdity and joy of making it through another year. Between the big institutional offerings and the DIY spirit that keeps Montreal's creative scene thriving, December delivers enough to keep you busy straight through to New Year's Eve.

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