If you are looking for one of the coziest and most magical Christmas getaways in Canada, Montebello needs to be on your winter travel bucket list.
And if you’ve not heard of Montebello before, I’m almost certain this guide to magical things to do in Montebello at Christmas time is going to convince you.
Located in Quebec’s beautiful Outaouais region, Montebello is a charming town that’s surrounded by snow-covered forests, and feels just like stepping into your very own Christmas movie.
Picture yourself relaxing in the world’s largest and most luxurious log cabin that’s all decorated for Christmas, lounging by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa (or a martini), getting to feed and pet deer and other Canadian wildlife in a magical winter wonderland, and enjoying a European style Christmas market.
That’s the kind of magic you’re going to find in Montebello.
Montebello really is the perfect destination for anyone who loves holiday magic as much as I do.
Whether you’re planning a romantic Christmas escape, or a cozy winter weekend with family, or even a holiday girls trip, Montebello is the perfect place for a magical winter getaway here in Canada.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan the perfect Montebello Christmas getaway.
I’ve included information on how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and of course, the full list of 15 magical things to do in Montebello at Christmas.
Before we get started, if you’re looking for more Canadian Christmas inspiration, you might want to check out these guides:
- Festive things to do in Quebec City at Christmas time
- Magical Christmas Towns you need to visit in Ontario
- Festive things to do in North Bay, Ontario at Christmas time
- Incredibly Fun Things to do in Toronto at Christmas Time
And be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. I share a lot of travel content on those that never make it to the blog!
Now, let’s get into the Montebello Christmas guide!
Where is Montebello, Quebec?
Montebello is a charming village that’s located along the Ottawa River, almost halfway between Ottawa and Montreal. It’s a 1 hour drive from Ottawa, and 1.5 hours from Montreal.
Montebello is known for its breathtaking scenery, wildlife, historic landmarks, and festive holiday atmosphere.
Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the fact that they have the world’s largest log cabin too! (But more on that later).
The fact that Montebello is so close to both Ottawa and Montreal make it the perfect Christmas weekend getaway destination if you live in either of these cities, or even a dreamy winter day trip.
When to Visit Montebello at Christmas
In order to make sure you get to experience the best of Montebello at Christmas time, you will have to plan your visit ahead of time. (Unless of course you’re doing a day trip!)
The Christmas season in Montebello begins in late November, when the Fairmont Le Château Montebello transforms into a full holiday wonderland.
The towering Christmas tree, garlands, twinkling lights, and festive décor go up toward the end of November and stay up until early January.
You will definitely want to make sure to plan your visit during this time!
But if you really want to experience Montebello in it’s festive prime, you want to make sure to not only plan around when the Fairmont will have their decorations up, but also plan to be in Montebello when the Montebello Christmas Market is on!
The Montebello Christmas Market is easily one of the most magical things to do in Montebello at Christmas time, and is an absolute must. It is running Nov 28th-30th, and the 5th-7th of December.
The Montebello Christmas Market is a European style Christmas market that’s full of vendors, festive treats, holiday music, and all sorts of delicious food and drinks (like mulled wine and spiked hot cocoa!).
All things considering, the best time to visit Montebello to take in everything it has to offer is between:
- Nov 28th-30th
- December 5th-7th
But if you can’t make these dates work don’t worry. Anytime from late November through New Year’s is a wonderful time to visit Montebello at Christmas.
And there is still all sorts of festive things to do during this time.
What to Pack for Montebello at Christmas
Winter in Montebello is all things snowy and cozy, but with that definitely comes colder temperatures.
A lot of Montebello’s beauty is found outdoors, so if you’re planning any outdoor activities (like Parc Omega, shopping in downtown Montebello, enjoying winter activities at the Fairmont, or the Montebello Christmas Market) you will want to make sure that you’re prepared.
Temperatures typically range from -5°C to -15°C, and it’s not uncommon to experience a fresh snowfall in late November and throughout December and January.
To stay warm and comfortable, make sure that you pack:
- A warm winter coat: Ideally insulated, down filled, or cozy and warm faux fur, especially for snowy days and evening strolls.
- Cozy layers: Sweaters, thermals, fleece tops, and anything that keeps heat close to your body.
- Winter boots: Waterproof, insulated boots with good traction are a must for snowy paths and outdoor activities.
- Warm accessories: Make sure to bring with you a hat (or earmuffs), gloves or mittens, scarf, and thick wool socks.
- Snow gear: If you plan to cross country ski, snowshoe, or tube at the Fairmont, bring appropriate winter gear like snow pants.
- Indoor lounge wear: The Fairmont and Kenauk chalets are all about cozy fireside vibes, so pack comfy loungewear for relaxing inside.
- Festive outfits for dinner: Although the vibes are cozy at the Fairmont and Kenauk, you’ll definitely want to pack some cute festive outfits for dinners. There are some beautiful restaurants in Montebello.
How to get to Montebello
Getting to Montebello by car
Depending on where you live, driving is the easiest way to get to Montebello. Winter maintenance on the highways is really good, and you’ll want to have a car while you’re in Montebello to get around to different attractions.
You’ll absolutely need a car for Parc Omega which, we will talk about later.
If you live in Ottawa or Montreal, it is a quick 1-1.5 hour drive.
Getting to Montebello by plane
If you live further than Ottawa or Montreal, you may want to consider flying in to either of these cities and then driving to Montebello.
If you’re flying into Quebec or Ontario, you would fly into:
- Ottawa International Airport (YOW) – 1 hour away
- Montreal Trudeau Airport (YUL) – 1.5 hours away
It’s a great opportunity to make it a multi-destination trip, and both Ottawa and Montreal have lots to do at Christmas time.
In fact, I put together this video guide on things to do in Ottawa at Christmas time that you might want to check out if you go that route!
Car rentals are also available at both airports for convenience.
Where to Stay in Montebello at Christmas
I’ve been lucky enough to get to stay at two of Montebello’s best accommodations, and I could not recommend these two enough.
Let’s start off with my all time favourite, the iconic Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello.
Fairmont Le Château Montebello
I had heard rumours for years of just how magical the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello is at Christmas time, and I finally got to experience it for myself last year.
Turns out the rumours were true and it was truly something straight out of my Christmas dreams!
No one does Christmas quite like the Fairmont, and there’s something extra special about the cozy Christmas log cabin vibes at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello.
Not only is it decorated head to toe, there are 50 Christmas trees in the lobby, winter cocktails and specials, and tons of winter activities to enjoy.
You can enjoy s’mores by the fire, curling, sleigh rides, tubing, skating and more.
And they even have Santa visits which is so fun if you’re visiting the Fairmont Montebello with kids!
The Chateau Montebello is also known as the world’s largest log cabin, and this legendary hotel turns into a magical Christmas wonderland in December.
It’s the perfect mix of luxury, while maintaining the cozy and unpretentious vibes of a log cabin retreat.
The amount of activities and amenities that they have available on resort, plus the beauty of the resort really makes it the most incredible winter getaway.
You can check the current rates for the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello here.
Kenauk Nature (Private Forest Chalets)
Kenauk Nature is a cozy Christmas getaway that will feel just a wee bit like you’re own The Holiday cottage escape. (Sadly no Jude Law though).
If you’re looking for something a little more quiet, cozy and private when visiting Montebello, Kenauk Nature Chalets are definitely the answer, and they are so beautiful!
Kenauk Nature is one of North America’s largest private reserves, and they have numerous stunning chalets that provide you the ultimate quiet escape.
I’m talking no neighbours, no prying eyes, and even no wifi. Just peaceful relaxing bliss and the chance to enjoy a moment to yourself and connect with nature, which I don’t think many of us do often enough!
The opportunity to be forced to slow down in this winter wonderland was so welcomed during my stay at Kenauk Nature, and was just what the doctor ordered as we enter into the busy holiday season.
If you’re looking for a private, while still being very much elevated escape, this is for you!
Now that we’ve covered when to visit Montebello at Christmas, what to pack, how to get there, and where to stay, let’s get into the top things to do in Montebello at Christmas time!
15 Magical Things to Do in Montebello at Christma
If you’re planning your own Montebello Christmas trip this year, these are the activities you will absolutely not want to miss!
1. Visit the Montebello Christmas Market
I visited the Montebello Christmas Market for the first time last year and absolutely loved it! It really is the heart of Montebello’s Christmas celebrations.
The Montebello Christmas Market runs for two weekends, from Nov 28th-30th, and Dec 7th-9th. Here are the exact hours of the Marché de Noël (as it is called in French!):
- Fridays from 4pm to 8pm,
- Saturdays from 11am to 8pm
- Sundays from 11am to 4pm
The market itself is a beautiful European inspired Christmas market, with rows of decorated wood stalls covered with twinkling lights and selling all sorts of handmade goods, festive treats, baked goods, and holiday beverages.
They also have live music and concerts, warm mulled wine, and everything you could imagine a cozy winter market needs.
It’s one of the best Christmas markets in the region, and the perfect place to kick off your festive Montebello Christmas getaway.
They also have vendors inside the beautiful historic church, so if you’re worried about getting too cold spending a few hours outside, don’t worry! There are places to warm up.
2. Experience the magic of Parc Omega
Just a few minutes drive from downtown Montebello is Parc Omega, one of the area’s most magical winter experiences.
It’s a truly unique experience you have to see for yourself!
At Parc Omega, you take your car on a 12 km route through a gated animal sanctuary, where you’ll get to meet (and feed!) deer and other Canadian wildlife. There’s more than 400 wild animals of Canada, settled on more than 2200 acres of wilderness!
The animals walk right up to your car, and they even sell carrots on site to feed them through your car window. You’ll see wolves, foxes, bison, and other North American wildlife in a beautiful, winter wonderland setting.
There are even a couple parking lots where you can stop and get out of your car, and all sorts of adorable animals to interact with. Just be sure to only get out of your car in these designated areas.
They also have lodges you can book to stay at where you can sleep overnight surrounded by wolves which makes for a truly unique experience.
You can check out those unique wolf lodges here!
Unfortunately I have not yet had the chance to stay in one of their wolf lodges, but it is definitely on my bucket list!
3. Cozy up by the fire at the Fairmont Montebello
One of my absolute favourite part about staying at the Fairmont Montebello was relaxing by the fireplace in the Fairmont’s grand cedar logged lobby.
It’s one of the coziest and most photogenic spots in all of Quebec at Christmas time, and I could have easily spent hours here!
With twinkling Christmas lights, soaring logs, and festive décor filling the space, it’s the perfect place to linger with a hot chocolate or glass of wine after a day of exploring.
They have servers that walk around so it’s easy to order yourself a drink while relaxing by the fire, and you can order food as well.
They also have board games that you can play! Just ask the front desk and they will show you the list of games they have available to choose from.
We had so much fun sitting around the fire, sipping wine and playing scrabble. It was the ultimate in cozy Christmas vibes.
4. Enjoy some of the winter activities at the Fairmont (Curling, Skiing, Tubing, Skating, and More)
The Fairmont Montebello fully transforms into a full winter resort in the month of December, and there’s so many winter activities to take advantage of!
The best part is that all registered guests have access to all the activities they offer at no extra cost.
And some of these activities, like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, are available to non guests for a small rental fee.
So you don’t have to be a guest to get to experience them on the Fairmont Montebello’s beautiful property.
My favourite activity to do at the Fairmont Montebello in the winter is the curling, and you can even book a lesson!
The curling rink is in a beautiful log cabin, and it’s a really fun activity to play with friends (yes, even if you’re awful at it like me).
Winter activities that are available at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello include:
- curling
- ice skating
- tubing
- cross-country skiing
- snowshoeing
- horse-drawn sleigh rides
The snowy setting makes every activity here feel magical, and it’s a great way to spend a festive afternoon in Montebello.
5. Have an indulgent and festive brunch at Aux Chantignoles
Sunday brunches at Aux Chantignoles in the Fairmont are absolutely legendary, and if you can plan your trip so that you are in Montebello on a Sunday, I definitely recommend you reserve your spot.
The dining room here is warm, elegant, and beautifully decorated for the holidays, with large windows that overlook snowy views. It’s the perfect way to start a slow winter morning.
The Sunday brunch at Aux Chantignoles is a massive buffet with almost every breakfast/brunch item you can imagine.
They have everything from trays of cold cuts and cheeses, to smoked salmon and all the fixings, to sweet offerings like crepes, pancakes and french toast, and of course all the savoury dishes like eggs benedict, omelettes, home fries, sausages and bacon.
There’s also lots of non brunch items if you’re feeling more like lunch than breakfast, and a huge assortment of desserts.
The brunch at Aux Chantignoles is indulgent, decadent, and a wonderful way to enjoy a slow Sunday morning in Montebello.
6. Explore Montebello’s charming village
Montebello’s main street is full of charming corners to explore, and looks like it’s the set of a Hallmark movie, especially around Christmas time.
In Montebello’s downtown you’ll find festive shop windows with twinkling lights, cafés, bakeries, and plenty of places to stop for a warm drink or a local treat.
It’s easily walkable and makes for the perfect afternoon Montebello Christmas activity.
Speaking of shops, while you’re in Montebello’s village you definitely need to…
7. Get in a little Christmas shopping in downtown Montebello
As I mentioned above, Montebello’s village is filled with charming locally owned boutiques and artisan shops for you to check out, and they make for the perfect place to hunt for some holiday gifts.
Whether you’re looking for some artisanal chocolates, fresh locally made local cheeses, handmade crafts, or Quebec-made goods, you’ll find plenty of unique gifts here in Montebello.
Some of my favourite shops to check out while in Montebello are:
- Lavandine et Cie – a variety of natural, handmade body care products and assorted gifts
- Chocomotive – artisanal chocolate shop offering all sorts of chocolate treats
- Fromagerie Montebello – the best cheese shop around with a large selection of locally made cheeses.
- La Shed Qui Tourne – beautiful pottery and handmade ceramics.
- Bonheur de Passions – a charming boutique where antiques, decorative objects and unique finds meet.
A few of these on the list deserve exta highlighting, which I will do over the next couple of points!
8. Visit Fromagerie Montebello
When I think of Christmas time, I often think of cheese. I don’t know if it’s just me and my family, but we have a few traditions that revolve around cheese.
Having a festive cheese board is a must on Christmas Eve and during holiday celebrations, and cozy fondues and raclette are also cozy holiday staples.
Fromagerie Montebello is the perfect place to get all your holiday cheese needs, or even just to grab yourself some cheese to enjoy in your private chalet at Kanauk or in your room at the Fairmont Montebello.
They also have some lovely gift sets which would make great hosting gifts during the holiday season.
9. Enjoy a Chocolate Tasting at ChocoMotive
ChocoMotive is a chocolate lover’s dream that’s set inside a beautiful old train station.
This artisanal chocolate shop and economuseum makes handcrafted chocolates using fair-trade and locally sourced ingredients.
While you’re here you can watch the chocolatiers at work, sample chocolate, and learn all about the chocolate making process.
Of course they sell all sorts of beautifully packaged chocolates and sweets, and they would definitely make for the perfect stocking stuffers or gifts!
10. Grab some Parisian inspired pastries at La Belle Pâtissière
This cozy, Parisian inspired bakery brings a touch (and taste) of France to Montebello, and is a must visit while you’re here!
With a great selection of croissants, pastries, and cozy warm drinks, La Belle Pâtissière is the perfect stop to warm up during your time exploring and shopping around downtown Montebello.
11. Have a delicious lunch at Bistro Montebello
One of my most memorable meals I had in Montebello was our casual lunch at Bistro Montebello.
Bistro Montebello is a very warm and inviting spot for lunch, which has all sorts of hearty dishes and comfort meals.
We loved the Duck Confit, Duck Confit Poutine and the Bison which were absolutely incredible.
It’s such a great spot to refuel between Christmas shopping and festive activities while you’re in Montebello.
12. Enjoy an incredible dinner at Nymark in the Fairmont Montebello
For a cozy dinner with great food and a festive atmosphere, you have to head to Nymark at the Fairmont Montebello.
The menu here offers a unique dining experience that highlights ancestral Quebecois recipes with contemporary culinary techniques.
One of my favourite parts about dining at Nymark is that they often have live music during the holiday season. It’s so lovely to be able to sit and have dinner while listening to live music!
13. Explore the snowy trails at Kenauk Nature or the Fairmont Montebello
During the winter season, Montebello is truly a winter wonderland, and you need to get outside and immerse yourself in it!
It’s easy to experience the beauty of winter in Montebello on the trails at both Kenauk and the Fairmont Montebello.
If you are staying at Kenauk Nature Chalets, you’ll have miles of private trails to wander through peaceful forests, frozen lakes and untouched snow. It’s so perfect for snowshoeing, winter hiking or just soaking in the quiet of nature.
If you’re not at Kenauk, you can still experience a similar winter wonderland at the Fairmont Montebello, and you don’t need to be a guest to enjoy it. The trails are open to the public and walking through the snow covered grounds feels like stepping into a Christmas card.
From riverside views to forest paths around the property, it’s a great way to enjoy Montebello’s beauty during the holidays.
14. Take a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride
This just might be the most magical thing to do in Montebello at Christmas time!
There’s nothing that will make you feel more like you’re in your own Hallmark Christmas movie than gliding through the snow on a horse drawn sleigh.
This experience can be booked with the Fairmont, and is available to guests and non guests (for a fee) alike.
This really is a picture perfect Christmas movie moment, so grab your winter gear, a cup of hot cocoa, and get ready for a beautiful horse drawn ride through a winter wonderland.
15. Warm Up With Hot Chocolate or Mulled Wine
No Christmas getaway is complete without enjoying a cozy festive drink!
Whether you’re sipping mulled wine at the Christmas market or enjoying a hot chocolate by the Fairmont fireplace, you need to enjoy a cozy drink during your stay.
Take your time, relax and enjoy something that’s small, but brings us so much joy during the holiday season.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in Montebello at Christmas time!
Montebello at Christmas is truly magical, and I know you’re going to fall in love with it like I did.
With its magical wildlife encounters at Parc Omega, festive winter market, cozy fireplaces, charming shops, delicious restaurants, and luxurious accommodations, Montebello offers everything you need for a dreamy winter getaway.
Whether you’re a Christmas lover like me or simply looking for a cozy holiday escape, Montebello is the perfect place to experience the beauty and magic of the season.
If you’re planning your Christmas travels this year, I hope this Montebello Christmas guide has convinced you that Montebello absolutely deserves a spot at the top of your list.
And don’t forget, if you’re looking for more Canadian Christmas inspiration I have these guides for you to check out too:
- Festive things to do in Quebec City at Christmas time
- Magical Christmas Towns you need to visit in Ontario
- Festive things to do in North Bay, Ontario at Christmas time
- Incredibly Fun Things to do in Toronto at Christmas Time
Happy traveling!
Thank you to Tourisme Outaouais for the incredible hospitality and for arranging such a wonderful trip for me. As always, all thoughts and opinions in this article are my own.
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