11 Christmas date ideas in Montreal

Nov 30 2016, 2:01 am

Move over Valentine’s Day because Christmas is taking your spot as the most romantic holiday of the year.

After all, how can you be expected to think straight when surrounded by twinkling lights and magical snow?

Whether you’ve just starting dating someone new or you’ve been together for ages, take advantage of the romantic holiday season, and check out the 11 Christmas date ideas below.

Go ice skating on Beaver Lake

Ice skating on top of Mount Royal is simply magical. Each year, Beaver Lake freezes over and Montrealers are invited to skate on this iconic pond while squeezing in a cozy afternoon of hand holding. If you have your own skates, this activity is totally free. If not, you can rent skates from the chalet for $9.
When: December 3-March 12, 2017
Where: Beaver Lake, Mount Royal

Drink s’mores hot chocolate

A photo posted by José (@jm1802) on


Impress your date with this tasty (not to mention Instagram-worthy) hot chocolate. Available at Chocolat Favoris Montreal, the delectable s’mores hot chocolate is made of creamy cocoa, graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and melted chocolate. Concocted using their own homemade chocolate fondues, of which there are several flavours, both of you will instantly fall in love with the s’mores hot chocolate.
When: Anytime
Where: Click here for locations

Take in a show at Fontaine Boreale

Back for its second year, the Fontaine Boreale shows will take place at Complexe Desjardins. This immersive and multi-sensorial experience combines water and light to bring you regularly scheduled shows that are sure to mesmerize. A holiday water and light display? Sounds pretty romantic to us.
When: November 19-December 31 at 4:30pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm
Where: Complexe Desjardins

Play on the Luminotherapie art installation


Take your date on a fun adventure courtesy of Luminotherapie, otherwise known as the 21 Balancoires of the winter months. Set up in Place des Festivals every year, Luminotherapie is an interactive art installation featuring bright and twinkly holiday lights. Comprised of thirty seesaws that light up and play music, the event invites you and your date to play on a winter playground in the heart of the city.
When: December 8, 2016 – January 29, 2017
Where: Place des Festivals

Attend a Christmas show

Each year, the Centaur Theatre puts on a special Christmas-themed show just for adults, and this year is no exception. Titled, “Urban Tales X – An Undead Xmas,” the 2016 show promises to be just as bizarre and entertaining as ever. Divided into six parts, each performance will tell a satirical story about what the holidays are like from an adult’s perspective. It sounds hilariously relatable.
When: December 8-17
Where: Centaur Theatre, 453 Rue Saint-François-Xavier

Stroll through an enchanted village

Montreal is bursting with adorable Christmas villages. Come December, you’ll have your choice of which to visit, from Noel Dans Le Parc to Le Grande Marche de Noel. Each one has their own distinct sew of activities, but you can generally prepare for cozy outdoor fires, outdoor skating rinks, hot cocoa and mulled wine, and lines of adorable stalls selling holiday gifts.
When: Noel Dans Le Parc runs from December 1-25, and Le Grande Marche de Noel runs from December 2-24.
Where: Noel Dans Le Parc is held at Place Emilie Gamelin, Lahaie Park, Companions of St. Lawrence Park and Le Grand Marche de Noel is held at Place des Arts.

Embark on a snowshoeing expedition

Take your date on an enchanting snowshoeing tour through the trees of the Morgan Arboretum. The 5km trail starts from behind the Arboretum’s Pine Cottage and takes you all around the centre’s grounds. Prepare for a day of snow-filled fun. Snowshoe rentals cost $7. Alternatively, if you’d love to snowshoe closer to the downtown core, snowshoeing is possible on Mount Royal and snowshoes can be rented from the Beaver Lake Pavilion.
When: December 2016-March 2017
Where: Morgan Arboretum, 150 Ch des Pins, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

Catch a movie under the stars at Merry Montreal


Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during the month of December, Merry Montreal, Old Port’s own Christmas festival, will be screening holiday classics. The outdoor cinema is kicking things off with Le Lutin on December 1st, and will play The Grinch, A Christmas Story, Love Actually, and others throughout the month. Screenings start at 6:30pm or 7pm depending on the day. Remember to bundle up!
When: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in December
Where: Place Jacques Cartier, Old Port

Go on an unofficial Christmas lights tour

Make a list of your favourite lit up spots in the city and take your date on an unofficial holiday tour of the city. They’ll love that you did the research while feeling romantic owing to the twinkly Christmas lights. For a little inspiration, think Avenue McGill College, Place Ville Marie, McGill University, and Old Port.
When: Anytime
Where: Various locations

Watch Defile des Reves

Plaza St-Hubert is hosting their annual Christmas parade on Friday, December 2, 2016. Defile des Reves 2016 is the 12th edition of the annual holiday event presented by Caisse Desjardins de Lorimier-Villeray. This year, visitors will be swept up by “the magic of Christmas” as the parade will feature floats, marching bands, dance groups, firetrucks, costumed characters, and of course, Santa Claus himself.
When: December 2, 2016 from 7 pm-8:30 pm
Where: Rue St-Hubert, starting at the corner of Bellechasse and ending at Jean Talon.

Do some shopping at a holiday market

Montreal is bursting with holiday markets and craft fairs. Kill two birds with one stone by taking your date on a cute shopping trip and buying presents for your loved ones at the same time. The Etsy Montreal Holiday Market, the Nutcracker Market, and souk@sat are three of the biggest in Montreal, both featuring unique, locally made gifts for every person in your life.
When: Saturdays and Sundays
Where: Various locations

DH Montreal StaffDH Montreal Staff

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