I’m not gonna lie, I loooove the month of September, but October comes close second when it comes to the best time of the year. I love autumn. Heat drives me nuts, so I appreciate just wearing a light jacket instead of sweating so much. Also, leaves change colours, Halloween and pumpkin spice moods set in… October in Montreal is perfect! Here a bunch of my favourite things to do in Montreal in October so you can plan your upcoming trip!
To first check out all things Fall in the province, click here. For suggestions outside of Montreal as well. And if you’re going to Quebec City in October, check this out too.
Canadian Thanksgiving Options
Yup, we also have Thanksgiving here in Quebec, or what most Quebeckers just see as the October long weekend, since most Francophones don’t really celebrate it. I, however, being from both the anglo and franco worlds, celebrate it with my English-speaking side of the family.
It’s not as big and fancy as in the US or the rest of Canada, but we still eat turkey and celebrate together.
If you’re looking for some Thanksgiving inspired stuff to do around here for our Canadian edition that hits around mid-October, you might be disappointed, as it’s not really a public celebration. I’d suggest you take advantage of what’s below, colours, Halloween vibes and all; with which you have more chances of success!
Feast on Autumn Tastes and Produce
I absolutely love Marché Jean-Talon at any time of the year. I lived 2 streets away from it for 10 years, in the Villeray neighbourhood, and shopped there every week. It’s part of Montreal’s DNA and beautiful when Falls comes around, because apples, pumpkins and root vegetables line the alleys before outdoor kiosks close for the winter.
They also have a special event called Oktoberfest on the 2-3-4 of October 2026.
If you want to learn more about the Jean-Talon market and Little Italy, I recommend this tour or the free tour that covers Mile End and Little Italy.
Learn about pumpkins, squash and other cucurbits with a heavy dose of Montreal history at the Château Ramezay (and within its gardens). It’s the oldest private history museum in the country and it’s the first one I visited back in the day when I was in school. I remember being really impressed with the place!
One of my favourite festivals in Montreal is MTLàTable in which I take part every year: it’s the best time of the year to try local restaurants in all kinds of neighbourhoods for cheaper prices and across multiple events. It isn’t running through October, but it starts on October 29, 2026, if you’re around at that time!
October 9 to 11th Tertulia mixes food and chamber music in different places around town. It’s an original food festival to try out!
RamenRamen festival from October 12-15 in all kinds of restaurants across Montreal and Quebec City. Here is where to eat the best ramen in Quebec City if you’re heading there.
Go on a Montreal poutine crawl in all the best places I’ve tried out for you!
Need more gastronomy? After all, this is Montreal, isn’t it? Book a food tour and find all the best places in our different neighbourhoods,
- Mile-End Foodie Walking Tour
- Beyond the Bagel Jewish Walking Tour
- Historical Food Tour with Tastings
- Jean-Talon Market Hidden Gems Montreal Food Tour
- Montreal No Diet Club Tour
- Old Montreal Food and Drink Tour
- Montreal Secret Food Tour
Any Gorgeous Colours Left in the Trees for Fall in Montreal?
Leaves start changing in September, but I find the best weeks to be beginning of October. Of course, every year is different, as the changes depend on the temperature, but you might just get lucky and see some amazing colours around the city thanks to this guide to catching that golden light through red and orange canopies.
Check out some of Montreal’s best hikes to immerse yourself in nature, or delve into Parc Angrignon, Parc Westmount, Parc Lafontaine or Parc Jarry for a glimpse of the changing trees. Here are some of the must-dos for autumn scenery:
Wander the Montreal Botanical Garden
The iconic autumnal activity when I was growing up was going to the Montreal Botanical Garden with my family and friends. The China, Japan and First Nations gardens get a dolling up and are filled with silk lanterns that are lit up at night.
There are also a Chrysanthemum show and various projections and installations that are enjoyable during the day as you hear the leaves rustle in the wind but even more impressive once the lights turn on.
While you’re there, check out the Biodôme de Montréal for its animals, but also its Pink Floyd immersive show under the dome in 2026. If you’re more into stars and planets, then it’s the Planetarium’s dome that you’ll prefer.
Climb Mont Royal or Mount Royal Mountain
Hit the lookout at Belvédère Kondiaronk for the classic skyline shot of Montreal from its mountain, Mont Royal.
The walk up is pretty nice too at this time of year, as Mont Royal still has a layer of leaves on the ground. You won’t be as sweaty from the walk up either in the cool air!
While there, visit Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Canada’s largest cemetery, quite moving in fall light.
Take a Guided Tour of Montreal
On top of all the food tours I mentioned above in the Autumn tastes and produce section, there are tons of tours you can take in Montreal, either to get to know the city on a first visit, or with a specific theme to delve more into an aspect of it!
Here are my favourites:
- Take a city tour with 16/42 tours that takes you from Old Montreal to Square St-Louis and the Jean-Talon Market
- Discover where Montreal’s bagels are from on a free tour
- Hear the city’s ghost stories with Fantômes Montreal tours
- Go on a mountains day trip from Montreal
- Move around faster thanks to a Downtown and Old Montreal bike tour or a non-touristy pink bike tour
- Follow the leader on a guided crawl of the city’s speakeasies and clubs
- Go colour crazy on a mural tour of the city
Don’t want to walk around? Hop on and hop off our double-decker bus!
Hop Aboard the Grande Roue de Montral
For a bird’s eye view of the colours of Montreal, head to the Old Port. You’ll see a huge ferris wheel with closed cabins that enable you to rotate over the city without the wind.
You can grab a ticket here to avoid the lines and losing time.
Discover All Things Halloween
I prepared a Fun Guide to Celebrate Halloween in Quebec but if you’re looking for specific Montreal activities, here they are:
Take Part in La Ronde’s Spooky Celebrations
Our famous Six Flags Park puts on quite a fright fest for its last weeks of operation (until October 25th). Bring a jacket (here’s my fall packing list – and why not add a costume) and join in.
Spookynesss includes zombies, ghouls, costumed scare-givers and all kinds of Halloween décor while you explore the fun rides.
Get Lost in SOS Labyrinthe
With SOS Halloween, people are scared through 2 km of mazes in Hangar 16. Costume up, head to SOS Labyrinthe in the Old Port and try to find your way out faster than the record team!
Shake It Up With a Ghost Tour of Montreal
Oh, hello myths and legends! I love this way to discover a city at night, and I’ve been on multiple ghost tours in other places around the world during my travels. Montreal’s no different with its haunted city walk.
It’s available all year long, but they sometimes organize special tours in October for Halloween.
Time for Some Casino Games
For the last few days of October, the Montreal Casino puts on circus productions, concerts, with special decors and various activities on top of their regular programming.
And Scary Movies too!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball is coming to the Rialto big screen at the end of the month with 2 showings per day on the 29, 30 and 31st.
Come for More October Festivals
If you’ve researched Montreal, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Piknic Electronik before. It’s an iconic electronic music festival that’s been taking up the city by storm every summer weekend and it goes on until October 18, 2026.
It’s outdoors, so you’ll get the enjoy the fresh air while soaking up what my city does best: culture and music and festivals!
Want more music? Phenomena festival livens La Sala Rossa on Saint-Laurent Street from October 2 to 22nd with all kinds of different performers that we’re not used to seeing elsewhere.
From October 8 to 18th, 2026, you can discover all kinds of movies during the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma in new formats, with new technologies and voices.
Don’t Skip a Beat at Montreal’s Tam-Tams
This unofficial get together on Mont Royal has been going on for ages. I remember Tam-Tams as a kid, when we’d grab a bus and then the subway, then take a stroll through the city leading up to the mountain and end up watching all those Sunday musicians for hours. This goes on every Sunday of the summer, until October 25, 2026, at the foothill of Mont Royal.
Soak Up the Rays in a Hot Tub
There’s no spa like Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau! It’s right in the old port, so the view is quite impressive. You’ll love soaking while appreciating the skyline and there’s nowhere else where you can immerse yourself in hot water on an actual floating boat!
There’s also Strom Spa on Nun’s Island that you’d like! If you’re visiting other parts of the province, here are some suggestions:
- 7 Best Soothing Spas in the Laurentians
- 5 Serene Spas in the Eastern Townships
- Best Nordic Spas in Quebec City: Which to Visit?
Plan Some Museum Visits If It Gets Chilly
- MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises to discover Montreal cultural identities
- Musée des Beaux-Arts has an Olympic sports exhibit until the 12th
- McCord Museum has restaurant history exhibit on until the 18th
- City transformations are starring at the Canadian Centre for Architecture
- Redpath Museum goes all weird with its Curiosity Cabinet
- World Press Photo Montreal is held until the 12th at Marché Bonsecours in Old Montreal. It’s worth checking out if you love photography and world news.
- Pointe-à-Callière is probably my most favourite museum in Montreal. Its artifacts are really cool, and you get to see the city firsthand, going underground and everything!
- Go on a selfie spree at Imaginarium Museum!
Watch Some Montreal Sports Teams
- Short Track skating is coming to Montreal October 30th at Maurice Richard Arena. Attend the world tour!
- Take part in or watch Beneva’s Montreal Marathon – October 9 to 11, 2026
- See an iconic Canadiens de Montréal hockey game at Centre Bell. Go Habs Go!
- Watch one of 2 October games of CF Montreal at Saputo Stadium, our local professional soccer team
- Attend a Les Roses de Montréal woman’s professional soccer match on October 2 and 23rd, 2026, at Stade Boréale
- More into football? Then it’s going to be the Alouettes de Montréal.
Other Fun Stuff to Keep an Eye Out For
- AURA is a colour and light-filled show at the Basilica in Old Montreal.
- The Old Port is holding the Fall Fair until the 18th from Wednesdays to Sundays with rides, games and treats.
- I’m not a fashion aficionado, but if you are, the Grande Braderie de la Mode at Marché Bonsecours is a 4-day event you won’t want to miss because all kinds of fashion houses will be releasing their collections to the public.
- Take one last BIXI ride before the bike-share season ends around November 1.
- Spend an afternoon at a board game café like Randolph, good for when October decides to be miserable.
October in Montreal FAQ
Here are some of the questions about Montreal in October that you might have:
Is October a Good Time to Visit Montreal?
Heck yeah! If all the stuff to do that I mentioned hasn’t already convinced you, here’s a recap: crisp autumn colours, fun pumpkin season, chillier days and all kinds of food, music and cultural events. Montreal is still quite lively in October so don’t hesitate to come visit!
Is Montreal Filled With Tourists in October?
Not really, and that’s part of why it’s a good time to come to Montreal. October sees cheaper prices for lodging, more availability in restaurants and no lines for activities.
By October you’ve got the city back to a mostly local rhythm. The one exception is Thanksgiving weekend (the second Monday of the month), when hotels fill up with Canadians doing weekend getaways and Mont-Royal gets genuinely busy with leaf-peepers.
What’s the Weather Like in Montreal in October?
October in Montreal is that gorgeous in-between season. Pack layers, you’ll most likely use every single one of them.
Mornings start crisp, sometimes down around 5°C, and you’ll want a real jacket for that first coffee walk, but by mid-afternoon the sun can push things up toward 15°C and you’re stripping off that scarf.
Rain shows up more often than in summer, so I always toss a light waterproof shell in my bag, no need for a full winter coat yet, but it can get chilly.
By Halloween you might catch your first flurries, nothing that sticks, just a little preview of what’s coming, and honestly, it’s one of my favourite times to be outside in this city.
Do I Need a Car to Get Around Montreal, or Is It Walkable?
You don’t need one, and honestly, I’d tell you to skip it. The metro and bus network covers the whole island well, and downtown, the Plateau, Mile End, and Old Montreal are all walkable or a short metro ride apart.
October’s mild enough that walking between neighbourhoods is genuinely pleasant, you’ll stumble on things a car would’ve driven right past. The only time I’d suggest renting one is if you’re planning a day trip outside the city, like an orchard or a foliage drive through the Laurentians.
In need of some other suggestions while in Montreal?
- 5 Best Places to See Fall Colours in Montreal
- Apple Picking on the South Shore of Montreal – Everything You Need to Know
- Fun Guide to Celebrate Halloween in Quebec
- Fall Packing List for Quebec: What to Bring with You
- Why Food-Loving Travellers Should Care About Quebec Michelin Restaurants
- Best Poutine in Montreal: My 15 Favourite Restaurants and Festivals
Want an autumn boost outside of Montreal?
- Centre-du-Québec Rolls Out Its Red Carpet: Harvest Cranberries
- Quebec City in October: Best Things to Do and Tips
- Best Photo Spots in Quebec City to See Fall Colours
Have fun this fall in Montreal!
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