The best events and things to do in Montreal during January

When it comes to the best events and things to do in Montreal during a month like January, it's no doubt a cold time, but the entertainment on offer shows that the city thrives in the depths of winter. Luminous installations brighten the streets to make up for a little less sunlight, spirited nordic traditions, huge festivals, and feasts reign supreme thanks to many of Montreal's diverse communities.

This guide is your companion to the best of Montreal in January: Whether you’re here for the cultural rhythm, the icy landscapes, or the seamless blending of both, these hand-picked events capture the essence of a city that truly knows how to embrace winter.

Dancing and parties with Igloofest

Igloofest turns up the heat in Old Port from January 16 to February 8, 2025, with four weekends of electronic music and Montrealers wearing their best ski suits and general winter garb. Known for its bright lights, playful activations, and lineup that features a mix of local and global electronic music heavyweights, the event’s become a winter staple for partygoers. 2025’s highlights include performances by Michael Bibi, Zeds Dead, Four Tet, and many more.

This year seeks to go beyond past editions with a retro snowsuit contest and even more striking visuals that transform the Old Port into a glowing winter playground. It’s both the coldest and hottest party of the season.

Celebrating Lunar New Year

Celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year on January 29, 2025, with a series of events steeped in tradition. The city’s Lunar New Year Parade will bring Chinatown to life with dragon and lion dances, led by the Phoenix Arts School and performances from the Montreal Fo Guang Shan and Chan Lion Dance Club. The parade winds through Chinatown’s lantern-lit streets, culminating in Sun Yat-sen Park.

Visitors can also enjoy symbolic Lunar New Year foods at Montreal’s Chinese restaurants, offering delicacies like dumplings and sweet rice balls for a taste of good luck. Sun Yat-sen Park will host additional festivities, including the Wishing Tree, where attendees can tie their wishes for the new year, and fortune readings to forecast the year ahead.

Also, the Chinese New Year’s Gala marks its 20th anniversary on February 1, promising a showcase of classical Western ballet, traditional Chinese dance, folk performances, martial arts, acrobatics, and folk music. Under the theme “As the Phoenix sings and the sun rises, the birds shall return to their nests,” this year’s gala captures the spirit of unity, hope, and renewal, with the mythical phoenix symbolizing good fortune and rebirth. 

Dining at winter terrasses in Montreal

Throughout January, Montreal’s winter terrasses elevate outdoor dining with a blend of gourmet eats and cozy, heated settings. Terrasse William Gray, perched in Old Montreal, offers views of Place Jacques-Cartier and the Saint Lawrence River. Its six heated domes create an intimate atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a five-course dinner or a creative brunch inspired by local flavours. Meanwhile, Le Belvu Hors Piste, located along the Marriott Château Champlain, brings the après-ski spirit downtown with alpine-inspired decor, comfort food like raclette and churros, and a family-friendly vibe complete with giant arcade games and indulgent hot chocolate. 

Above the Quartier des Spectacles, Les Refuges du Bivouac provides its own escape under pine trees and stars. Its heated domes host an immersive culinary experience, featuring boreal-inspired menus crafted by Chef Xavier Dahan, either with a $65 lunch table d’hôte or the six-course evening tasting menu.

Illuminated streets and squares from LUMINO

Montréal’s iconic winter festival, LUMINO (previously Luminothérapie), returns for its 15th edition from November 28, 2024, to March 9, 2025 to reimagine the city’s downtown core as a luminous playground of creativity, light, and nordic charm. This free event transforms cold nights into an extraordinary celebration of public art, with nearly 30 dazzling installations and performances by local and international artists. Visitors can explore works such as Patrice LaCroix’s interactive “At the Hand,” featuring over 24,000 LED lights, and French studio ChevalVert’s “Éloge de l’air,” a captivating display of movement and light created by waving a giant flag. Other highlights include “Les Fabuloscopes,” a nostalgic nod to vintage optical toys, and the elegant “Chandeliers” by TILT, which turn the city skyline into a glowing ballroom. 

Running daily from dusk to 11 p.m., LUMINO brightens up the winter season, celebrating Montréal’s innovative spirit and turning the city into a beacon of warmth and wonder.

Nordic experiences throughout the month

Montreal embraces its northern charm with a range of quintessential winter experiences, inviting locals and visitors alike to indulge in the season’s magic. For those seeking rejuvenation, the best spas in Montreal offer Nordic hydrotherapy, combining hot and cold baths, steam rooms, and relaxation areas to create the perfect escape from the chill. At Parc Jean-Drapeau, outdoor enthusiasts will find a winter wonderland with free and sustainable activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter biking, bird-watching, and ice skating.

Downtown, the Esplanade Tranquille transforms into a hub of seasonal joy with its refrigerated skating rink. Free and accessible, this 1,500-square-metre rink welcomes up to 400 skaters, even in temperatures as warm as 10°C, ensuring that everyone can experience the thrill of gliding on ice. Surrounding amenities include skate rentals, a cozy café, and the Galaxie Brasserie for a post-skate treat.

Go see the Montreal Canadians or Laval Rockets

January marks a great month of hockey. Catch the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre, where the city’s passion for its storied NHL team rises, win or lose. The Canadiens’ legacy, rooted in over a century of hockey history, makes every game a celebration of skill, tradition, and sheer grit.

For a more intimate hockey experience, head off-island to Place Bell to watch the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate. This is where future NHL stars hone their craft, offering fans the chance to witness rising talent up close and at a more accessible price point. With a family-friendly vibe and an arena designed for an immersive experience, a Rocket game delivers all the excitement of hockey without the big-league hustle.

Scope the Montreal International Auto Show

From January 17 to 26, 2025, the Montreal Auto Show returns, offering a closer look at the latest innovations in the automotive world. Featuring new model unveilings, cutting-edge designs, and concept cars rarely seen at dealerships, the event provides a unique opportunity for car enthusiasts and prospective buyers alike to explore a range of vehicles under one roof.

With its long history dating back to 1914, the Montreal Auto Show is a staple event in Québec, showcasing not just vehicles but the evolution of the automotive industry. Research your next purchase, or simply admire the latest technological advances.

Partake in the Great Canadian Kilt Skate 

The Great Canadian Kilt Skate is a unique blend of Scottish heritage and Canadian spirit, celebrating the contributions of Scots to communities worldwide. Since its inception in 2015 to mark the bicentennial of Canada’s first prime minister, this event has grown into a joyful winter tradition across Canada and beyond. Whether donning a kilt or simply embracing tartan, participants gather to honour Scottish culture with a touch of frosty fun, proving you don’t need to be Scottish—or even wear a kilt—to join in.

In Montreal, the 10th season of the Kilt Skate was launched at Verdun Arena, complete with pipers, flag bearers, dancers, and plenty of skaters of all ages and abilities. Around 90 attendees took to the ice, with nearly half proudly sporting kilts and tartans. Organized by the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal, this year’s event was a lively celebration of tradition and community, setting the stage for future gatherings that combine heritage, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of winter fortitude.

Dine at the annual Robert Burns Supper

The annual Burns Supper, hosted by the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal, returns in January for an evening that celebrates the life and legacy of Robert Burns, Scotland’s beloved poet, through traditional food, music, and revelry. Guests will enjoy a gourmet twist on classic Scottish fare, share a dram or two, and raise a toast to the enduring charm of Burns’ words. Tickets are available for members, non-members, and juniors.

It’s an ideal spot to celebrate Scottish heritage: Steeped in tradition, the Burns Supper blends poetry, music, and camaraderie, honouring the contributions of Scots in Montreal’s history while inviting guests to immerse themselves in a rich cultural legacy.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – In Concert

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – In Concert brings Middle Earth to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on January 10th and 11th, 2025. Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score will be performed by the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir, featuring 250 musicians on stage, as the epic motion picture is projected in HD.

The performance, presented by Orchestre FILMharmonique and Productions GFN, includes choirs Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal and le Chœur des Mélomanes, blending orchestral grandeur with ethereal vocals. With a runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes, including an intermission, the event promises an unforgettable evening of cinematic and musical artistry. The film will be shown in English with French subtitles.

Celebrate Tết, the Vietnamese New Year

Celebrate Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, at the Old Port of Montreal: This year’s celebration honours the Year of the Snake and marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese refugees’ arrival in Canada, making it a meaningful and vibrant cultural milestone. Attendees can savour authentic Vietnamese cuisine from 45 food and exhibition vendors, featuring classic dishes like bánh chưng, cháo huyết, and phở, while live performances bring the spirit of Vietnam to life through music and dance.

The event offers craft workshops, games, an iconic lion dance, and lì xì envelopes for children, symbolizing good fortune. There'll also be a marketplace of local artisan creations. Tickets are $15 in advance ($50 for 4) or $20 at the door, with free entry for children under six. Join friends and family for a heartfelt and joyous celebration of Vietnamese heritage. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!

Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan in Montreal

Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan are bringing their joint North American comedy tour to Montreal’s Bell Centre on January 12, 2025. Following the success of their recent stadium shows, the two comedy icons are teaming up for a night of sharp wit and signature humour that has made both comedians household names.