Montreal in November is the city between seasons: the maples have dropped their leaves, the patios have been stacked away, and the first snow is still more threat than fact. It is grey, often damp and dark by late afternoon. It is also the month when the queues vanish, film and book festivals fill the calendar, the Christmas market opens downtown, and the city is calmer than in December. If you can live with 6 °C afternoons and a few wet days, it is one of the most relaxed months to see the city as Montrealers live in it.
This page gives the real climate figures, the November 2026 dates that matter, what closes or changes, and how to plan four days around the weather. For the year-round picture, start with when to visit Montreal, month by month.
Montreal in November at a Glance
November is not one month so much as three. The first week still feels like late autumn, the middle is the quiet trough, and the last ten days tip into the holiday season. The table shows what changes as the month goes on.
| Early November (1–10) | Mid-November (11–20) | Late November (21–30) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it feels like | Late autumn, last leaves, mild days still possible | Grey, damp, one of the quietest stretches of the year | Colder nights, first flurries more likely, holiday lights going up |
| Big dates (2026) | Gardens of Light final night 1 Nov; CINEMANIA from 4 Nov; Coup de cœur francophone from 5 Nov | Christmas market opens 13 Nov; CINEMANIA and Coup de cœur end 15 Nov; RIDM from 19 Nov | Salon du livre 25–29 Nov; Christmas Village at Atwater from 26 Nov; US Thanksgiving 26 Nov |
| Canadiens at home | 3, 5 and 10 Nov | 14 Nov | 21 and 23 Nov |
| Best for | Walkers, film fans, the last of the colour | Museums, restaurants, low-key city breaks | Christmas markets, book lovers, a head start on the holidays |
Montreal in November Weather: The Real Numbers
Climate averages for Montréal–Trudeau airport, the city’s official weather station, come from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991–2020 normals (sunshine figures use the 1981–2010 period). November sits squarely between a mild October and a properly wintry December.
| Average (Montréal–Trudeau) | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily high | 13.2 °C | 6.1 °C | −1.2 °C |
| Daily low | 4.5 °C | −1.7 °C | −8.7 °C |
| Daily mean | 8.9 °C | 2.3 °C | −5.0 °C |
| Rain | 101.6 mm | 67.4 mm | 44.2 mm |
| Snow | 1.1 cm | 16.3 cm | 48.2 cm |
| Days with rain | 13.2 | 11.1 | 6.7 |
| Days with snow | 0.6 | 4.8 | 12.8 |
| Bright sunshine (month) | 143.5 h | 83.6 h | 83.6 h |
Temperature: Cool Days, Freezing Nights
An average November afternoon reaches about 6 °C and an average night drops just below freezing. That is the average, though, and the month has a wide spread. The first days can still bring a soft 12 °C afternoon that feels like October, while a cold snap late in the month can hold the city below zero all day. Pack for both ends rather than for the mean.
The number on the forecast is rarely the whole story. Wind off the St. Lawrence and the open spaces of the Old Port make 3 °C feel noticeably colder, and damp cold gets into ordinary jeans and trainers in a way that dry January cold does not.
Rain and the First Snow in Montreal in November
November is wetter than it is snowy. Precipitation falls on about 14 days of the month, most of it as rain, and the average snowfall is only 16.3 cm across the whole month, against 48.2 cm in December. Snow usually arrives as flurries or a thin coat that melts within a day or two. A lasting snow cover in November is the exception rather than the rule.
That makes November awkward for footwear: slush and puddles at the kerb, wet leaves on the sidewalks of the Plateau, and the odd icy morning. Waterproof shoes with decent grip matter more this month than a heavy parka.
Daylight and the Clock Change
Clocks in Quebec go back one hour on Sunday 1 November 2026, the end of daylight saving time. Overnight, sunset jumps an hour earlier, and from then on it is dark by late afternoon. November and December tie for the least sunshine of the year, about 84 hours each across the whole month.
Plan the day around that. Do the outdoor things, a walk up Mount Royal or a market visit, in the late morning and early afternoon, and save museums, restaurants and shows for after dark. For exact sunrise and sunset times on your dates, check the National Research Council of Canada’s sunrise and sunset calculator.
Is Montreal in November Worth Visiting?
Yes, if you know what you are getting. November is the month with no headline outdoor festival, no patio season and no skating or skiing yet. The city does not shut down, though. It moves indoors, and indoors is where Montreal is very good: museums, cinemas, concert halls, markets, bistros and bars that serve until 03:00.
Who Montreal in November Suits
- Food-first travellers. Restaurants are easier to book than in summer or December, and November is good weather for long, heavy Quebec meals.
- Museum and culture people. Two film festivals, a francophone music festival, a documentary festival and the city’s big French-language book fair all fall in the month.
- Hockey fans. The Canadiens play six home games in November 2026, and midweek games against Western Conference teams tend to cost less than Saturday games.
- Christmas-market hunters who hate crowds. The downtown market opens on 13 November, weeks before the December rush.
- Repeat visitors. With the postcard sights quiet, it is a good month to explore neighbourhoods rather than landmarks.
Who Should Pick Another Month
Skip November if your trip hinges on outdoor life: patios, cycling, river views, Mount Royal in colour or winter sports. For autumn colour, mid-October is the safer bet in the city. For snow, skating and the full Christmas atmosphere, come in December; our guide to Montreal in December covers the markets, the Nutcracker and the first real snow. For snow sports and winter festivals, January and February are the months, and the winter guide explains how the city copes.
What’s On: Montreal in November 2026
These dates come from each organiser’s own site, checked in October 2026. Check the organiser for programmes and venues before you book around a specific screening or concert. The wider festival calendar is in our Montreal festivals guide.
Gardens of Light: Last Night on 1 November
The Botanical Garden’s lantern festival, Gardens of Light, is in its 14th edition from 3 September to Sunday 1 November 2026. If you arrive on the last weekend of October, it is worth building an evening around. Tickets are timed, sell for specific entry slots, and include daytime entry to the Jardin botanique on the same day, so arrive in the afternoon, walk the greenhouses and stay on until dark. Book on espacepourlavie.ca; the final weekend is popular.
CINEMANIA: 4–15 November
CINEMANIA, the festival of French-language film, holds its 32nd edition from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 15 November 2026. It is one of the easiest ways for a visitor who does not speak French to get into Quebec and francophone cinema, since some screenings carry English subtitles. Check subtitle details for each film on festivalcinemania.com before you buy.
Coup de cœur francophone: 5–15 November
Coup de cœur francophone is in its 40th edition and runs from Thursday 5 to Sunday 15 November 2026. It is a festival of French-language song and music, from chanson to rock and hip-hop, spread across the city’s concert halls and bars. It is a good excuse to hear live music in venues you would not otherwise find. The programme is on coupdecoeur.ca.
The Christmas Market Opens: 13 November
The Grand Marché de Noël, downtown’s big Christmas market, opens on Friday 13 November 2026 and runs to 3 January 2027 on rue Jeanne-Mance by the Place des Festivals, in the Quartier des spectacles. Entry is free. Until 13 December it opens Wednesday to Sunday only: Wednesday to Friday 15:00–22:00, Saturday 11:00–22:00 and Sunday 11:00–20:00. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in November.
Going in November rather than December means shorter lines at the food stalls and room to browse the artisans’ chalets. The full rundown of stalls, hours and what to buy is in our Montreal Christmas market guide.
RIDM Documentary Festival: 19–29 November
The Montreal International Documentary Festival, known by its French initials RIDM, runs from Thursday 19 to Sunday 29 November 2026, with its industry forum from 20 to 25 November. Documentary is a strong Quebec tradition, and the festival screens international work alongside local films. Check ridm.ca for the programme and the language of each screening.
Salon du livre de Montréal: 25–29 November
The Salon du livre de Montréal, the city’s big book fair, holds its 49th edition from Wednesday 25 to Sunday 29 November 2026 at the Palais des congrès. It is mostly a French-language event, with publishers’ stands, author signings and talks, but it is also a lively look at how seriously Quebec takes its own literature. A wider programme, Salon dans la ville, spreads events across the city from 13 to 29 November. Details are on salondulivredemontreal.com.
Christmas Village at Atwater Market: from 26 November
The Montreal Christmas Village (Village de Noël) opens at Place du Marché Atwater on Thursday 26 November 2026 and runs to 24 December. It is smaller and more local than the downtown market, with 59 exhibitors and more than 90 free activities. Opening day runs 16:00–19:00, Friday 27 November stays open until 22:00, and after that, until 20 December, it opens Fridays 16:00–20:00, Saturdays 11:00–20:00 and Sundays 11:00–18:00. Take the Green or Orange line to Lionel-Groulx and walk down to the canal.
The Santa Claus Parade
Downtown’s Santa Claus Parade, the Défilé du père Noël, is a family event on boulevard René-Lévesque. The 2025 parade, the 73rd, ran on Saturday 22 November at 11:00. Check the parade’s own website or social channels for the 2026 date and route, and get to René-Lévesque early if you want a kerbside spot for children.
Remembrance Day: 11 November
Remembrance Day falls on a Wednesday in 2026. It is not a statutory holiday in Quebec, so most shops, museums and offices keep their normal hours. Ceremonies are held at cenotaphs around the city at 11:00, and you will see poppies on coats through the first half of the month.
Canadiens Home Games in November 2026
November is a busy home month for the Montreal Canadiens. The schedule below is the NHL’s own, read in October 2026; game times can move for television, so check before you buy. The sports and entertainment guide explains how to buy tickets and what a game night at the Bell Centre involves.
| Date | Opponent | Puck drop |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 3 November | Winnipeg Jets | 19:00 |
| Thursday 5 November | Utah | 19:00 |
| Tuesday 10 November | Minnesota Wild | 19:00 |
| Saturday 14 November | Colorado Avalanche | 19:00 |
| Saturday 21 November | Philadelphia Flyers | 19:00 |
| Monday 23 November | Los Angeles Kings | 19:30 |
Saturday games usually cost more than weeknight ones. If you want the atmosphere for less, aim for a weeknight game against a Western Conference team. Buy through the team’s official channels or the NHL’s authorised resale platform, and be wary of street sellers outside the arena.
Early, Mid or Late: Picking Your Dates in Montreal in November
If you have flexibility, the choice of week matters more than in most months.
Early November: The Tail of Autumn
The first few days still feel like autumn. Gardens of Light closes on 1 November, a few maples still hold their colour on the mountain, and the odd mild afternoon makes a long walk pleasant. CINEMANIA and Coup de cœur francophone start in the first week. The trade-off is the clock change on 1 November, which brings darkness forward an hour overnight.
Mid-November: The Quiet Trough
From about 9 to 20 November the city is among its quietest. This is when restaurant reservations are easiest and the museums are calmest. The Christmas market opening on 13 November gives the second weekend a lift, and the two film and music festivals run to 15 November. Pack for rain.
Late November: The Holidays Arrive
The last ten days tilt towards Christmas. The Atwater Christmas Village opens on 26 November, the downtown market is in full swing at weekends, shop windows change over and the book fair fills the Palais des congrès. American visitors arrive for the US Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday 26 November in 2026), and Black Friday on 27 November brings sales to downtown stores. Nights are colder, and the first proper snowfall is more likely now than earlier in the month.
What Closes or Changes in November
Montreal in November is not a closed city, but several things shift. Knowing them in advance saves a wasted trip across town.
- Space for Life is closed on Mondays. The Biodôme, Insectarium, Planetarium and Biosphère are closed on every Monday in November 2026, and the Botanical Garden is too from 9 November (it is open on Monday 2 November, 09:00–21:00). From Tuesday to Sunday they generally open 09:00–17:00. Check espacepourlavie.ca’s weekly hours page for your dates.
- The Botanical Garden quietens after 1 November. Once Gardens of Light ends, evening opening goes with it, and from 3 November the garden closes at 17:00. The outdoor gardens are bare, so the greenhouses are the reason to go.
- Patios are gone. Terrasse season runs roughly from May to October. A few bars keep heated patios, but plan to eat indoors.
- BIXI keeps rolling. The bike-share says it runs 12 months a year in 10 Montreal boroughs and Westmount. Check the BIXI app for which stations are open before you rely on it.
- No skating or skiing yet, as a rule. Outdoor rinks depend on cold weather, and ski resorts open when snowmaking allows. If either matters, check our ice skating guide and the resorts’ own sites shortly before you travel.
- The Monday museum gap. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts closes on Mondays, as do many smaller museums. Use Mondays for neighbourhood walks, markets and the Underground City.
Rainy-Day Montreal: Museums Worth the Ticket
November is museum weather, and the city has enough of them to fill a wet week. Our museums guide covers the full list; these are the strongest bets for a November trip. Prices below were taken from the museums’ own sites in October 2026.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The MMFA, at 1380 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, is the city’s big art museum, spread across several connected pavilions. It is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00, with Wednesday evening opening until 21:00 (from 17:00 only the featured exhibition is open, at a reduced $16 ticket). Adults aged 26 and over pay $32. Anyone 25 and under gets in free, which makes it an easy pick for students and families. Seniors 65 and over get free entry on Tuesday mornings (10:00–13:00), and families get free entry on Saturday mornings (10:00–13:00).
Pointe-à-Callière
Pointe-à-Callière, at 350 place Royale in Old Montreal, is the archaeology and history museum built over the city’s founding site. Its temporary exhibition, Heroes of Greece, runs until 7 March 2027. Adult tickets (ages 31–64) are $30, seniors $27, ages 18–30 $20, ages 13–17 $15, ages 5–12 $10 and a family ticket $60, taxes included. Check pacmusee.qc.ca for opening hours on your dates. Put it together with a walk around Old Montreal, which is at its least crowded this month.
Notre-Dame Basilica
The basilica marks the end of ten years of facade construction with a public event on 25 October 2026, so November visitors see the front of the building as it has not looked in a decade. Inside, the blue-and-gold interior is the draw, and the AURA light show runs in the evenings. Check basiliquenotredame.ca for current prices and show times, since evening tickets go fastest.
Space for Life
The Biodôme, Planetarium and Insectarium sit beside the Olympic Stadium, with the Botanical Garden across the road, and they are warm, covered and good with children. Remember the Monday closures above. The Montreal with kids guide has a full day plan for the complex.
Eating Your Way Through a Grey Month
The best reason to visit Montreal in November may be the food. The city eats heavily in the cold months, and November is when menus turn to braises, game, root vegetables and pastry. Restaurants that are hard to book in summer and December have tables free on weeknights.
- Markets. Jean-Talon in Little Italy and Atwater in Saint-Henri both open year-round. November is apple, squash and maple season on the stalls, and the indoor halls make a good rainy-morning wander. Check the public markets’ own site for current hours before you go.
- Comfort classics. Smoked meat, poutine and wood-fired bagels are all at their best when it is cold and wet outside.
- Book ahead for Fridays and Saturdays. Weeknights are easy; weekends still fill at the popular places.
- Bring your own wine. Many smaller restaurants are “apportez votre vin” (bring your own wine), a cheap way to eat well. Buy a bottle at the SAQ, the provincial liquor store, beforehand.
For where to eat and what to order, see the Montreal food guide.
A Four-Day Montreal in November Itinerary
This plan assumes an early- or mid-November trip with one or two wet days. Swap days around to suit the forecast, putting the outdoor day on the driest one. For longer trips, our Montreal itinerary has full three- to seven-day plans.
Day 1: Old Montreal and the Old Port
Start at Pointe-à-Callière in the morning, then walk rue Saint-Paul and Place Jacques-Cartier while it is light. See Notre-Dame Basilica in the afternoon and finish with dinner in the old town. The waterfront is windy in November, so wrap up for the Old Port stretch.
Day 2: Mount Royal and the Plateau
On the driest day, walk up Mount Royal in the late morning for the view over downtown, then come down into the Plateau for lunch. Spend the afternoon on avenue du Mont-Royal and rue Saint-Denis, and catch a CINEMANIA screening or a Coup de cœur francophone show in the evening. Our Mount Royal guide has the walking routes.
Day 3: Museums and Downtown
Give the morning to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, then use the Underground City tunnels to move between downtown malls, the metro and lunch without going outside. After 13 November, finish at the Christmas market in the Quartier des spectacles (Wednesday to Sunday only).
Day 4: Markets and the Lachine Canal
Take the metro to Lionel-Groulx and spend the morning at Atwater Market, then walk a stretch of the Lachine Canal path. In the evening, book a game at the Bell Centre or a long dinner in Saint-Henri or Griffintown. From 26 November, the Christmas Village at Atwater adds a reason to come back after dark.
What to Pack for Montreal in November
The aim is to stay dry first and warm second. A November trip needs less bulk than a January one but more waterproofing.
- A waterproof jacket with room for layers, or a light insulated parka for late November.
- Waterproof shoes or boots with grip. Wet leaves, puddles and the odd icy morning are the real hazard.
- Warm layers: a fleece or wool sweater and a thermal top for cold days.
- Hat, gloves and a scarf. Small enough to pack, and you will use them in the evenings.
- A compact umbrella, though the wind on the waterfront will test it.
- Indoor clothes for restaurants and shows: buildings are well heated, so layers you can take off are better than one thick jumper.
For the deep-winter version of this list, see what to wear in Montreal in winter.
Getting Around in November
The metro is the easiest way around in wet weather. The STM, the city’s transit operator, runs four colour-coded lines, and the 747 bus links the airport with downtown around the clock. Fares and passes are explained in our getting around Montreal guide; check stm.info for current prices before you travel.
- Use the Underground City on rainy days. The RÉSO links metro stations, malls and office towers downtown. It is not one continuous city under the streets, but it covers the main shopping blocks well enough to keep you dry. Our Underground City guide explains which sections join up.
- Walk, but watch your step. Neighbourhoods like Old Montreal, the Plateau and Mile End are best on foot. In November, look out for slippery leaves and uneven, wet cobbles in the old town.
- Driving: remember there is no right turn on a red light anywhere on the island of Montreal.
Booking and Budget Tips for November
November has no big outdoor festival to drive up demand, which is why it is a good month to compare prices. A few practical points:
- Compare your dates against December. Hotel rates in Montreal move with demand, and the holiday season and summer festivals are when they peak. A November weekend often costs noticeably less for the same room, so check prices for your dates before you commit.
- Watch out for big events. A Saturday Canadiens game or a convention at the Palais des congrès can fill central hotels for a night. Check the calendar above before you book.
- US Thanksgiving weekend is busier. Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 November brings American visitors, so book that weekend earlier.
- Stay central. In wet weather, being near a metro station or the Underground City is worth more than a view. Our where to stay guide compares the neighbourhoods.
- Budget for tax and tips. Prices on shelves and menus are shown before sales tax, and restaurant tips run 15–20%.
For more practical advice before your trip, see our Montreal travel tips.
November Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting autumn colour. By November it has mostly gone. Come in mid-October for the colour.
- Turning up at the Christmas market on a Monday or Tuesday. Until 16 December it opens Wednesday to Sunday only.
- Booking a Monday for museums. The MMFA and the Space for Life museums are closed on Mondays.
- Packing for snow and forgetting rain. Waterproof shoes matter more than a heavy parka this month.
- Leaving outdoor plans for late afternoon. After 1 November, it gets dark early; do Mount Royal and the canal in the middle of the day.
- Assuming everything is in English. CINEMANIA, RIDM, Coup de cœur francophone and the Salon du livre are largely French-language events. Check the language and subtitles before you buy a ticket, and see our guide to French in Montreal for the basics.
If November does not fit, the best time to visit Montreal guide compares every month side by side, and the things to do in Montreal guide covers the attractions year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is November a good time to visit Montreal?
November is a good time if you prefer museums, restaurants, festivals and quiet streets to outdoor sightseeing. Days average about 6 °C, it is often grey and damp, and it gets dark early after the clocks change on 1 November. In return there are fewer visitors, easier restaurant bookings, film and book festivals, Canadiens home games and the opening of the Christmas markets.
Does it snow in Montreal in November?
Usually a little. The 1991–2020 average at Montréal–Trudeau is 16.3 cm of snow across the month, on about five days, compared with 48.2 cm in December. Most November snow comes as flurries or a thin layer that melts within a day or two. Rain is more common: about 67 mm falls in an average November.
How cold is Montreal in November?
Average highs are about 6 °C and average lows about −1.7 °C, based on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991–2020 normals for Montréal–Trudeau. The month starts milder and ends colder, so early November can still bring 10 °C afternoons while late November can stay below freezing all day. Wind and damp make it feel colder than the number.
When do the Christmas markets open in Montreal?
The Grand Marché de Noël downtown opens on Friday 13 November 2026 and runs to 3 January 2027, open Wednesday to Sunday until mid-December and daily from 16 December. The Christmas Village at Atwater Market opens on Thursday 26 November 2026 and runs to 24 December, at weekends for most of that time. Both are free to enter.
What festivals are on in Montreal in November?
In 2026: CINEMANIA, the French-language film festival (4–15 November); Coup de cœur francophone, a French-language music festival (5–15 November); RIDM, the documentary festival (19–29 November); and the Salon du livre de Montréal book fair at the Palais des congrès (25–29 November). Gardens of Light at the Botanical Garden ends on 1 November.
Are the museums open in November?
Yes. Most museums keep their normal autumn hours, but many close on Mondays. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is closed every Monday, and the Space for Life museums (Biodôme, Insectarium, Planetarium and Biosphère) are closed on every Monday in November 2026. Check each museum’s own site for your dates.
When is the Santa Claus Parade in Montreal?
The parade is held on boulevard René-Lévesque downtown. The 2025 parade took place on Saturday 22 November. Check the Défilé du père Noël’s own website or social channels for the 2026 date and route, and arrive early for a good spot with children.
