These cultural attractions make Montréal a city of wintertime wonder

Sure, you can learn about the history of Montréal by reading some textbooks or taking some tours, or you can get fully immersed in the city’s storied past via Cité Mémoire, an ongoing art installation that projects images, dialogue and music onto the facades of historic buildings and their surrounding settings year round. The stunning installation allows you to stroll down the alleyways, through the streets and among the trees of Old Montréal, Montréal East and the downtown area, taking in illuminating tableaux that share the stories of famous Montréalers, from religious sister Marguerite Bourgeoys to sports icon Jackie Robinson.

The party doesn’t stop in Montréal when things get a little icy. In fact, that’s when things heat up: in January and February each year, Montréal plays host to one of the country’s most popular winter blowouts, the outdoor electronic music festival known as Igloofest. The coolest music festival in the world—literally—welcomes thousands of electro enthusiasts in their bundled-up best (the tackier the better for the annual snowsuit contest!) as they get down in Montréal’s Old Port to a world-class lineup of DJs, which have included the likes of Diplo, Tiga and Rüfüs Du Sol over the years. Along with boogying on a snow-dusted dance floor beneath the stars, revelers can enjoy festive glacial décor, striking architectural structures and playful installations including the crowd-favorite Igloovillage.

Every February in the Quartier des Spectacles, the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE festival brings together some of the city’s best restaurants—from classics to newcomers—for two-plus weeks of gastronomic fun and activities. It’s a true celebration of all things local, from chefs and ingredients to outdoor installations and shows. The lineup of events includes cooking demonstrations, educational workshops, ice skating and so much more (some of which are free!). And it’s a good thing you’ve padded your belly with all of that deliciousness—you’ll need the energy for the fest’s closing night Nuit Blanche, a city-wide all-nighter where you can take advantage of after-dark museum access, do a few turns around a roller disco rink, warm up with mulled wine and hot chocolate, and enjoy a wide variety of live performances, creative installations and interactive experiences. 

An awe-inspiring meld of Montréal old and new, AURA casts a fresh light on one of the city’s most enduring sights: the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, a 200-year-old landmark at the heart of the Old Port of Montréal that’s renown for its majestic architecture and equally magnificent interiors. Adding to the space’s already captivating array of stained-glass windows, statues and more, the acclaimed Montréal-based studio Moment Factory has given the historic basilica a digital upgrade with an immersively soul-warming sound-and-light experience. Kaleidoscopic colors, frenzied lasers, orchestral music and more combine for a dizzying display that deftly combines technological progress and timeless beauty. You’ll feel the glow long after you’ve left.

There’s a reason why it’s one of the most-visited museums in all of North America—the MMFA has been inspiring wonder among its patrons since 1860 with a staggering collection of 45,000-plus works spanning eras and disciplines, ranging from internationally famed works to meticulously preserved pieces of antiquity to art that movingly evokes Québec and Canadian heritage. Five connected pavilions full of paintings, sculpture, photographs, multimedia activations and more ensure that no two trips to the MMFA are the same, a variety and interest boosted even further by the museum’s ongoing cultural programming, which include a concert hall, outdoor installations and its own cinema. You can spend an entire day here, and you’ll want to.