Whether you’re a returning McGill student, starting your first semester, or visiting on exchange, Montreal offers endless activities, festivals, and places to explore—even during the cold winter months! Diving into these experiences is a fantastic way to discover the city’s unique character, especially for newcomers.
Montreal is renowned for its festive winter entertainment, with Igloofest standing out as the iconic January-February event. The festival attracts people across Canada to the Old Port for lively performances, international music, food, drinks, and an energetic atmosphere in a unique harbourfront setting.
Joshua Farmer, U1 Arts, called Igloofest a top winter highlight and a “must-do” for students in an interview with The Tribune.
“Not everyone comes from a place where they experience seasons, so when you are spending a night out in the snow with other people, it’s a super festive and seasonal way to enjoy the winter,” Farmer said.
Igloofest not only celebrates winter but also offers a great first impression for students who’ve never experienced it. Farmer noted that the festival is a great way to meet people, with students attending from both local and distant places, highlighting its welcoming social atmosphere for newcomers to McGill.
While Montreal festivals like Igloofest are a rite of passage for students, they’re not the only ways to embrace the fun side of the winter season. Farmer emphasized how shopping during this time of year offers distinct advantages.
“In Montreal, winter is a good time to go vintage shopping and thrifting because everyone has donated their old clothes after getting new items from Christmas and the holidays—so I think that’s a really good time to dig through bins, hit the boutiques, and get some good new finds,” Farmer said.
Eleanor Casey, U1 Arts, enthusiastically shared her love for thrifting as a fun winter activity. She listed some recommendations in an interview with The Tribune.
“Renaissance is my favourite place to thrift, especially for winter apparel. You can find great jackets and layers at Renaissance, Salvation Army, and Eva B. on St. Laurent,” Casey said.
Conveniently, these thrift stores in the Plateau and Mile End area happen to be surrounded by cafes and restaurants filled with aesthetic decor and great ambiance. Sean Overton, U0 Engineering, talked about how much he enjoys the wide range of food options and cafes to visit in the area, specifically on Ave. Mont-Royal.
“L’Avenue is one of my favourite restaurants on Mont-Royal and the Huevos Rancheros is my go-to meal that I recommend everyone should try,” he said.
Another great outdoor winter activity for McGill students to partake in is ice skating.
“It’s a low-cost activity you can do with your friends, especially if you own skates—it’s free if you bring a pair at locations like Place des Arts, Mont Royal, and Parc La Fontaine. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors without feeling too cold, thanks to the exercise from skating,” Overton said.
While meandering through shops and cafes or skating outside in parks are all amusing ventures and ways to enjoy the city, Montreal’s famously freezing temperatures can make it challenging on the coldest days. Thankfully, with the city’s rich art and cultural scene, there are plenty of museums to admire, such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
“I would suggest going to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal because they have really cool contemporary and old art exhibitions that are super appealing to people, especially students who are pursuing art-related degrees like myself,” Ella Bjork, U1 Arts, said in an interview with The Tribune.
Bjork also highlighted the museum’s convenience for McGill students during cold weather, noting its short walking distance from campus and the warm, cozy atmosphere inside.
Montreal proves that winter offers endless fun in all forms. Despite the cold, the city never fails to deliver its special charms, ensuring both locals and newcomers can enjoy its festivities and activities.
