18 things to do in Montreal this weekend: December 15 to 17

It’s finally the weekend! From Christmas markets to holiday events, your weekend will be jam-packed with exciting events.

Village de Noël de Montréal

Mark this on your calendars! An enchanting Christmas village is coming to Montreal this December. Village de Noël de Montréal will feature holiday vendors, delicious treats, sparkling Christmas trees, lights, Santa Claus and so much more!

Where: Place du Marche, corner of St-Ambroise and Atwater
When: December 15 to 17
Time: TBA. Check website for hours.

Etsy Holiday Market

Everyone’s favourite online craft site, Etsy, is hosting a massive holiday market in Montreal this December. For two days only, the market will be taking over the Denise-Pelletier Theatre.

Where: Denis Pelletier Theatre, 4353 St Catherine St E
When: December 16 to 17, 2017
Time: December 16 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, December 17 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Naturel Fire on Ice

The Old Port is about to get lit up for the holiday season. Four free musical fireworks shows will light up the sky over Montreal in December and January.

Where: Old Port, Rue de la Commune Ouest
When: December 16, 23, 30 and January 6, 2018
Time: All shows start at 8 pm
Price: Free!

Chanukah Sing-along

Celebrate Chanukah through song! The Segal Centre is hosting a Chanukah sing-along to celebrate the holiday this year. The event, titled Lyrics & Latkes, will feature songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, and English, with English translations.

Where: The Segal Centre for Performing Arts, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
When: December 17, 2017
Times: 2 pm and 7 pm
Tickets: Available online

Marche Artisanal Montreal

It’s never too early to start making that holiday gift list and you’ll be able to pick up some great finds at the Marche Artisanal Montreal.This Christmas market will feature amazing holiday gifts crafted by local artisans. This year, the market will be held at La Casa D’Italia next to metro Jean-Talon.

When: Until December 17, 2017
Where: La Casa D’Italia, 505 Jean-Talon Est, Montreal
Tickets: More information to be released closer to the event. Check website for details.

Go skating at the Old Port skating rink

Known for its outstanding quality of ice, excellent facilities, and breathtaking views of the city and the Saint Lawrence River, this is the place to go skating in Montreal.

When: Until March 11, 2018
Where: Natrel Skating Rink, Bonsecours Basin, Old Port

Le Grand Marche de Noel

From December 1 to 24, Le Grand Marche de Noel will be taking over Place des Arts. This German-style Christmas market will feature food trucks, a Santa’s Cabin, Elves Workshop, and Santa’s Sleigh. There will also be carol singers, karaoke, storytime, and so many more events happening for the holiday season.

Where: Esplanade de la Place des Arts, 175 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
When: Until December 24, 2017
Times: TBA check website for updates

Le Marché de Noël chez Maison Pepin

Here’s another Christmas market to add to your list. Until December 24, this charming alleyway in Old Montreal will turn into an adorable holiday market hosted by The Pepin Shop.

Where: 378 Rue St-Paul O, Montréal
When: Until December 24, 2017
Time: Various times, check event page for details

Noël dans le Parc

Get ready for holiday festivities taking place in three Montreal parks.

Noël dans le parc brings together Montrealers together for holiday cheer. Head down to Place Emilie-Gamelin, Parc des Compagnons de Saint Laurent, and Parc Lahaie for live entertainment, music, poetry, and bonfires.

Where: Place Emilie-Gamelin, Parc des Compagnons de Saint Laurent, and Parc Lahaie
When: Until December 25, 2017
Time: See full program of events online.

Mary Poppins at Théâtre St-Denis

A live production of Mary Poppins comes to Théâtre St-Denis for the holiday season.

Where: Théâtre St-Denis, 1594 St-Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec H2X 3K2
When: Until December 30, 2017
Times: Various show times, check website for details
Tickets: Available online

Fontaine Boréale

Montreal’s amazing light-up holiday water fountain show is back at Complexe Desjardins until December 31. Come discover this year’s edition of Fontaine Boreale –an immersive light-show that features the magic of the holidays.

Where: Complexe Desjardins, 150 Saint-Catherine St W
When: Until December 31, 2017
Times: 3:30 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm, 10 pm
Price: Free

Visit Montreal’s pop-up Christmas Bar, Miracle Montreal

Last year’s Miracle Montreal was a huge success. Now Montreal’s Christmas-themed pop-up bar is back with several new pop-up locations!

Spreading joy through Christmas-flavoured cocktails and music, you won’t be able to resist stopping here for a drink in December. Miracle Montreal will have everything from jingle bell nog and Santa-quila to a Christmapolitan and a Snowball Old Fashioned.

Where: Various pop-up locations, check Facebook page for this year’s details!
When: Unitl December 31, 2017

Find a Christmas Tree

From garlands and wreaths to ornaments and miniature villages, the most important piece of Christmas decor is undoubtedly the Christmas tree. Find the perfect tree at any one of the locations in this list. Whether you want a rustic outdoorsy experience or something quick and painless, these 10 spots have got you covered.

Where: Look up locations in this handy list
When: Throughout December

Barbie Expo

What: Come and check out the world’s largest Barbie exhibit this month. The exhibit will feature Barbies of various ethnicities, dressed in traditional clothes, as well as great Hollywood stars (Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, etc.). A separate section is reserved for haute-couture dolls, which have been dressed by Dior, Chanel, Givenchy and many more notable names from the fashion industry.

Where: Les Cours Mont-Royal, 1455 Peel Street,
When: Now until December 31

Visit the most decorated Christmas house in Montreal

Sami Hajjar transforms his home into an amazing light display. Last year, his home took on a Minion Christmas theme with over 15,000 lights. This year, Hajjar is turning it up a notch with a Frozen Land theme that includes over 100,000 shining lights.

Where: 9035 Jean-Bourdon Avenue, Montreal
When: Until January 5, 2018
Time: Light shows take place at 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm

Luminothérapie

A light-up winter wonderland will be taking over Place des Festivals this winter for the eighth annual edition of Luminothérapie. This year’s display is called Impulse and it is an interactive work made up of light-up seesaws.

Where: Place des Festivals, Jeanne Mance St.
When: Until January 28, 2018
Time: Sunday to Wednesday: from noon to 10 pm
Thursday to Saturday: from noon to 11 pm

Go skating outdoors

Strap on those skates and get out on the ice! Whether you love a fast-paced game of pond hockey, or you’re more of an elegant figure skater, there is an outdoor rink for you in Montreal.

From the classics like Beaver Lake and Bonsecours Basin to the family-friend Parc Pratt, skating is a must if you’re in Montreal this winter.

Where: Check out this list of rinks
When: Throughout December

Meet Santa

December is the month to have a one-on-one chat with Santa Claus himself. Whether you want to take a goofy Christmas picture with your friends, or your kids are dying to see the big man in red for themselves, there are plenty of spots to meet Santa in Montreal. From Carrefour Laval to Place Emilie Gamelin, there are lots of places to see the jolly man in red!
When: Anytime
Where: Various locations

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