Montreal in January
Deep winter and Igloofest
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
January is one of the weakest months in Montreal.
January is the coldest month, but the Underground City connects much of downtown and winter festivals such as Igloofest keep the city lively.
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- -12–-5°C
- Very cold, with snow.
- Crowds
- Low-Moderate
- Fairly relaxed, with busier moments at the headline sights.
- Prices
- $$
- Good-value hotel rates.
+Winter festivals and cosy restaurants.
–Very cold, with snow.
My tip for January
Dress in proper layers and use the underground network between stops.
- Winter festivals
- Restaurants
- Museums
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
12th of 12 overall in Montreal, 11th for weather, 4th for space, 4th for value. The emptiest month is March; the best value is March.
See all twelve months for MontrealPlan around
What’s on in Montreal in January
- Deep winter
- Very cold; dress properly and use the Underground City.
January–February
Not set on January?
Months I'd choose over January
Also good in January
Weather
Weather in Montreal in January
In January Montreal averages a high of -5°C (23°F) and a low of -12°C (10°F), with about 74 mm of rain or snow over 16 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 27°C) and the coolest is January (around -5°C); the wettest month is July.
- Average high
- -5°C
- 23°F
- Average low
- -12°C
- 10°F
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Wet days
- 16
Climate data: Environment and Climate Change Canada. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Montreal in January: the questions people ask
- Is January a good time to visit Montreal?
- January is one of the weakest months in Montreal. It ranks 12 of 12 months in Montreal overall (11 for weather, 4 for space, 4 for value). The main upside: Winter festivals and cosy restaurants. The main downside: Very cold, with snow.
- What is the weather like in Montreal in January?
- Average highs are around -5°C and lows around -12°C. Expect about 74 mm of rain or snow over roughly 16 wet days. Very cold, with snow. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 27°C) and the coolest is January (around -5°C).
- Is Montreal crowded in January?
- Crowds are low-moderate. Fairly relaxed, with busier moments at the headline sights. The quietest month is March.
- How expensive is Montreal in January?
- Prices are at level 2 of 5 ($$). Good-value hotel rates. The best-value month is March.
- When is the best time to visit Montreal?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, September is the best month overall (January ranks 12 of 12). The quietest month is March and the best value is March.
Still going to Montreal in January?
Book early and plan around the busiest hours — very cold, with snow.
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