Canada Montreal Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Montreal is Moderate
December is Moderate for Montreal.
December brings midwinter + heavy snow + Christmas Market + NYE. -10 to -2°C + 2.5 sunshine hours + heavy snow + ice. Marché de Noël Old Port (late Nov-Dec 24, Christmas Market on cobblestone + wooden chalets + maple syrup vendors + mulled wine) + Illuminations Plein Air (Dec light-ups in Old Montreal + Mont Royal).
Canadiens NHL season holiday games + Dec 25 + Jan 1 hotel rates 2x + 3-4 months ahead booking essential. Use RÉSO Underground (33km) + Christmas Market + Cirque du Soleil + NHL combo.
Travel score
Christmas Market + Illuminations + NYE peak
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 28°F / -2°C highs and 14°F / -10°C lows with 2.5 sunshine hours (year's lowest) and 14 rainy/snow days (16 snow days). Sunrise 7:25 AM, sunset 4:15 PM = 8h 50min daylight (year's shortest around Dec 21 solstice). Wind chill -25°C common.
December Travel Advice
Book Dec 22-Jan 2 hotels 3-4 months ahead (rates 2x peak). Marché de Noël Old Port closes Dec 24 — visit Nov 25-Dec 23. NYE Place des Arts fireworks + Old Port countdown free; bundle up. Some restaurants close Dec 25 (Christmas Day) + Jan 1 — call ahead. Use RÉSO Underground for all Downtown movement.
Flying In from Overseas
Korean + Japanese year-end + European Christmas escape drive holiday-week peak. Direct flights from London $700-1,200 NYE week, Paris $650-1,100, Frankfurt $700-1,150, NYC $200-500. Australian summer holiday departure.
December Pricing Trends
Year's peak holiday-week pricing Dec 22-Jan 2: 4-star Downtown $260-560/night, 5-star $520-1,100, Plateau boutique $185-410. Dec 1-21 still 30% cheaper. Marché de Noël free entry. NHL Canadiens holiday games $74-410. NYE fireworks free.
Montreal December Weather Stats
Avg High
-2°C
Avg Low
-10°C
Rainy Days
14
88mm total
Sunshine
2.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
78%
Dry
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 40
Sea Temp
1°C
Not swimmable
Snow Days
16
Monthly avg
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 16 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
20 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-9°C
Nighttime
-18°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 40 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Marché de Noël Old Port Christmas Market
- Illuminations Plein Air light-up
- Canadiens NHL season + Cirque du Soleil indoor
Cons
- Heavy snow + 2.5 sunshine hours
- Hotels 2x for Dec 22-Jan 2
- Some restaurants closed Dec 25 + Jan 1
December Events & Festivals
- Marché de Noël Old Port — late November to December 24 (Christmas Market)
- Illuminations Plein Air — December (light-up Old Montreal + Mont Royal)
- Nouvel An NYE — Dec 31 (Place des Arts fireworks + Old Port New Year's Eve)
- Hanukkah (varies, late November or December — Mile End Jewish community celebrations)
- Canadiens NHL season holiday games
Montreal in December — Full Picture
December brings midwinter + heavy snow + Christmas Market + NYE. -10 to -2°C + 2.5 sunshine hours + heavy snow + ice. Marché de Noël Old Port (late Nov-Dec 24, Christmas Market on cobblestone + wooden chalets + maple syrup vendors + mulled wine) + Illuminations Plein Air (Dec light-ups in Old Montreal + Mont Royal).
Canadiens NHL season holiday games + Dec 25 + Jan 1 hotel rates 2x + 3-4 months ahead booking essential. Use RÉSO Underground (33km) + Christmas Market + Cirque du Soleil + NHL combo.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Midwinter. Heavy down parka + waterproof boots + beanie + insulated gloves essential. Like Korean January or Helsinki December. Heavy snow + ice. Christmas Eve through New Year hotels run 2x normal.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
10.7°C
1°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
25°C
14.7°C
11.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
13°C
5°C
12.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current-3.3°C
-12°C
13.3/mo
Montreal Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -5° | -14° | 14d·78mm | 3h | 75% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| -3° | -12° | 12d·62mm | 4.5h | 72% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 2° | -6° | 13d·75mm | 5.5h | 70% | 3 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 1° | 13d·80mm | 7h | 65% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 19° | 8° | 13d·75mm | 8h | 62% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 24° | 13° | 12d·87mm | 9.5h | 65% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 26° | 16° | 12d·90mm | 10h | 67% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 25° | 15° | 11d·88mm | 9h | 70% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 20° | 11° | 12d·87mm | 7.5h | 72% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| 13° | 5° | 12d·78mm | 6h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | -1° | 14d·92mm | 3.5h | 78% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| -2° | -10° | 14d·88mm | 2.5h | 78% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Montreal December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Montreal?
Montreal in December is Moderate. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Montreal in December?
Montreal December averages a high of -2°C and a low of -10°C.
Does it rain much in Montreal in December?
Montreal December averages 88mm of rainfall over about 14 rainy days.
What should I wear in Montreal in December?
Midwinter. Heavy down parka + waterproof boots + beanie + insulated gloves essential. Like Korean January or Helsinki December. Heavy snow + ice. Christmas Eve through New Year hotels run 2x normal.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Montreal in December?
Montreal December sunrise is 07:25 and sunset is 16:15, with 8h 50m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Montreal in December?
Montreal December air quality (AQI) averages 32, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Montreal in December?
In December, Montreal is great for Marché de Noël Old Port, Illuminations Plein Air, Canadiens NHL holiday games.
Is December peak season in Montreal?
Montreal December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Montreal
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.