16 things to do in Montreal this weekend: December 22 to 24

Christmas weekend has arrived! From holiday markets to holiday events, take advantage of all the festive fun happening around town!

Check out the winter village at Olympic Park

The traditional winter village at Montreal’s Olympic Park has officially returned for 2017 and 2018.

From now until March 25, 2018, you can enjoy outdoor skating on a brand new frozen trail, browse the pop-up shops and discover artisanal products, and take part in plenty of other fun winter activities.

Where: Olympic Park, 4545 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave
When: Until March 25, 2018
Time: Thursday and Friday: 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
There are also special hours during the holidays. Check website for details.

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 23, 30 and January 6, 2018
Time: All shows start at 8 pm
Price: Free!

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

Christmas at Notre-Dame Basilica

Ring in Christmas with the beautiful sounds of the choir at Notre-Dame Basilica.

Where: Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. 110 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal
When: December 24, 2017: 8h, 9h30, 11h, 19h, 21h30 and midnight
Times: 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 9:30 pm, and midnight

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

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

Go snowshoeing

Thanks to Montreal’s plethora of urban parks, there are plenty of trails for you to wander this winter. Dig that old pair of snowshoes out of your closet or rent a brand new pair, whatever you do you’re sure to enjoy this snowy activity.

When: Until March 2018
Where: Check out our handy list!

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