22 things to do in Montreal this weekend: December 14 to 16
Montreal. this weekend is exciting because by the time we get to Sunday, we can start the single-digit countdown to the big day. To help you get there, there’s a slew of great events going in the city this weekend, from December 14 to 16.
Friday, December 14
Dream Land
Sami Hajjar’s Christmas Display/Facebook
Once the ‘Christmas Display House’ gets going, it’s officially the holidays. Sami Hajjar of the West Island has continued his ‘Christmas Display’ house again this holiday season, but he’s upping his game.
Compared to last year’s ‘Frozen Land,’ ‘Dream Land’ features 250,000 lights, inflatables and synchronized music to five Disney songs, four times a day.
When: From now until December 25
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm (Every hour)
Where: 9035 Jean-Bourdon Avenue, West Island
Price: Free
RIOT TEN with Krimer
ÎleSoniq presents a duo DJ set with RIOT Ten and Krimer spinning beats at the timeless l’Astral theatre to what’s already a jam-packed house.
When: Friday, December 15
Time: 10 pm
Where: l’Astral, 305 rue Ste. Catherine
Price: $45, available online
Puces POP Market
180 local merchants will be on hand boasting a slew of Quebecois products like art, accessories, clothes, ceramics, toys, decorations, candles, soaps, food, drinks and so much more.
When: December 14-16
Time: 3 pm – 8 pm (Friday) 11 am – 6 pm (Saturday) 11 am – 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: l’Église Saint-Denis, 5075 rue Rivard
Price: Free admission
Alight at Night
Upper Canada Village/Facebook
Lights (a lot of them), camera… action Christmas! One of the country’s biggest outdoor light festivals is ready for you and the holidays.
Now that the Gardens of Light festival has packed up for 2018, Instagrammers need to get their lighting fix somewhere else so why not make a day of it?
From the enchantment of horse-drawn wagons, to a life-size toy train, this holiday road trip will take you down the 401 to a magical place. There will be carolling, festive dining, and of course, Santa will be making a visit to take in all your Christmas wishes.
If you get cold, warm-you-up beverages will be for sale at the outdoor Carousel Corner Café, where two new holiday huts offer a cozy shelter to snuggle up in.
When: December 14-16, 20-23, 26-31 and January 1-5
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm, 4 pm to 10 pm on Saturdays
Where: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, On
Price: $12 – $16, depending on age
Saturday, December 15
The Montreal Canadiens vs the Ottawa Senators
NHL / Twitter
The Canadiens welcome the pesky Ottawa Senators to town in what’s sure to be a packed house at the Bell Centre. The Habs hosted the Hurricanes this past Thursday, so look for Price to be back between the pipes after a day off on Friday.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: Varies per date and seat selection, available online
Victorian Christmas at the Cartier’s
Discover how fashion styles dating back to 1867 are still in vogue 150 years later. The exhibition showcases elegant Victorian decor and styles, hot drinks by the fireplace, a Christmas card workshop, and champagne.
When: From now until December 21
Time: 10 am – 5 pm on weekdays, 9:30 am – 12 pm on weekends
Where: Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site
Price: $7.80
Village de Noël de Montréal
noelmontreal/Instagram
Montreal’s iconic Atwater Market has been transformed into a gorgeous Christmas market (we have proof here).
The third edition of the Village de Noël will feature “twice as many kiosks as years past,” vendors, concerts, light shows, a giant, decked out evergreen tree, holiday treats and outdoor screenings of classic Christmas movies.
As a bonus, the big man himself, Santa Claus, will be on site today.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: Weekends from 11:30 am – 9 pm
Where: Place du Marche, corner of St-Ambroise and Atwater
Price: Free
Snow Tubing on Mont Royal
Take advantage of the pride of Montreal by snow tubing down it.
Discover the exhilaration of snow tubing down reserved lanes next to the toboggan hill overlooking Beaver Lake.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 10 am – 4 pm (until 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: $5 for 4 – 11-year-olds, $9 for 12 years old and up
Fontaine Boréale
amazing.views/Instagram
Christmas is usually associated with snow and ice so how about a little element change? For the third consecutive year, the Christmas fountain known as “Fontaine boréale” is returning during the holiday season.
The immersive and multi-sensory experience features the Complexe Desjardin’s Grande-Place water fountain, completely decked out in the Christmas spirit.
Every hour, the fountain lights and shoots up to the shopping mall’s ceiling, accompanied by music, lights and special effects.
Or, it could actually be magic.
When: Every day in December
Time: Every hour from 4 pm – 10 pm
Where: Complexe Desjardins, 150 rue Ste. Catherine Ouest
Price: Free
Collectif Etsy Montréal
The Montreal Etsy Team will be hosting a Holiday Market the Théâtre Denise-Pelletier in partnership with SDC Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. The craft show will host over 100 makers from Montreal and its surroundings.
If you’re looking for a charming, homemade gift for a loved one this holiday season, Collectif Etsy will have you covered.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Théâtre Denise-Pelletier, 4353 rue Ste-Catherine Est
Price: Free admission
Natrel Skating Rink Fireworks
Old Port Winter Fireworks/ Facebook
The Old Port is going to be lit this weekend. Actually.
On four select dates this holiday season, the Old Port’s Natrel Skating Rink will fuse ice with fireworks and this Saturday is the first of the season.
The 2,500 square metre rink, just off Promenade des Quais, will be open to the public and will host a firework display overhead. The rink costs money to enter, but standing outside and watching the fireworks is as free as it is delightful.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 8 pm
Where: Old Port, Rue de la Commune Ouest
Price: Free
Village du Père Noël
The Christmas season just isn’t the same without a visit to see Santa. Besides, why take a chance of bumping into the big fella on Christmas Day without getting in some face-time beforehand?
There’s an entire village dedicated to Santa about an hour away from Montreal.
Village du Père Noël is the perfect place for a holiday family getaway. Plus, it’s North of Montreal so in some ways, you’re heading towards the North Pole.
Located in Val-David, the village’s summer activities are transformed into a magical Christmas experience.
Activities include ice skating, tubing, sledding, a petting zoo, and a mini train. And of course, Santa and his elves are on site.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 987 Route Morin, Val-David
Price: Adults (individuals two years old and older): $18; Grandparents: $16
Le Village du Vilain Sapin – Ugly Christmas Tree Village
shaunethompsonphotography/Instagram
It’s important to laugh at yourself. And, that’s exactly what this year’s ‘Ugly Christmas Tree Village’ in Whoville Montreal will be doing this holiday season, literally.
The second edition of Le Village du Vilain Sapin features more than just an ugly, Charlie Brown-esque tree as this year’s evergreen is ticklish.
Yes. A ticklish Christmas tree.
Motion detectors and built-in loudspeakers will be incorporated into this year’s Frankentree that will bellow out laughter when guests shake the bottom branches to tickle it.
When: From now until January 2
Time: 5 pm, illumination of the laughing tree at 6 pm
Where: 57 rue Prince Arthur Est
Price: Free
The Deadstock Depot — Vintage Streetwear Flea Market
Toronto’s only vintage streetwear flea market hops over to Montreal on Saturday. Over 15 local and international vendors come together to form Canada’s largest selection of handpicked garments catering to the 80s, 90s, and 00s street and sportswear aesthetic.
Popular brands include: Tommy Hilfiger, Champion, Kappa, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and much more, all going for cheap.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 12 pm – 6 pm
Where: 3455 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Price: Free admission
The Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker/Goh Ballet
For the 55th year, the full-length rendition of Les Grands Ballet’s magical The Nutcracker returns to Montreal.
Choreographed by the late Quebecer Fernand Nault and based on German author ETA Hoffman’s original tale, the theatre play embodies the spirit of Christmas with its graceful entertainment, magical scenery and stunning costumes, to Tchaikovsky’s irresistible musical score.
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Price: $99 – $144, available, online
Sunday, December 16
Natrel Skating Rink
Old Port Skating rink
A skating rink with Montreal’s Old Port as the backdrop – talk about picturesque.
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.
There’s no better way to stick it to winter than bundling up and hitting the ice.
The chilled 2,500 square metre rink features a cozy village right in front of the ice and is a puck’s throw away from Bistro Bonsecours for a little post-game refresher.
Natrel’s Skating Rink plays rock, classical and jazz music on large outdoor speakers to add to your soundtrack of whizzing down the ice.
When: Sunday, December 16
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Natrel Skating Rink, Bonsecours Basin
Price: $6.95 general admission, $4.90 kids aged 6 – 12, free for children under 6
Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight is a highlight of the Christmas season at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul. This traditional service of Lessons & Carols takes place in near-darkness, creating a sense of great beauty and peace. Go check out your favourite Christmas carols in a gorgeous setting.
When: Sunday, December 16
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Musique à St.Andrew & St.Paul Sacred Music, 3415 rue Redpath
Price: Free
Luminothérapie
Quartier des Spectacles
Place des Festivals is fusing dominos, music and lights in bringing Montreal the holiday cheer.
The 9th edition of Luminothérapie, Quebec’s largest temporary public art installation, is called “Effet domino” by Ingrid Ingrid. The installation will feature 120 giant dominos spread out across several different stations. The public is invited to play with them, each creating different music and luminous effects in the process.
The dominos are all topple-able as a musical orchestra of dominos illuminate in a rainbow of pastel hues and sounds.
When: Sunday, December 16
Time: 12 pm – 10 pm
Where: Place des Festivals, Jeanne Mance
Price: Free
Hockey History Exhibit
The Hockey Cup History travelling exhibit opens on Friday at the Dorval Museum of Local History and Heritage.
Hockey fans can take a look at trophies, rings, hockey sticks, archival footage and over 50 hockey-related artifacts. Visitors are also invited to play a hockey tabletop game as well as a ‘design your own goalie mask’ workshop.
When: From now until April 17
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Thursday to Sunday
Where: 1850 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval
Price: Free
Ogilvy’s Christmas Display
McCord Museum
Ogilvy’s Christmas window display, a holiday fixture at the corner of Ste. Catherine and rue de la Montagne has found a new home.
The annual scenes of stuffed animals interacting in mechanical settings, which has delighted Montrealers since 1947, has been donated to the McCord Museum where they will be on display every day in December.
When: From now until December 31
Time: 24/7
Where: McCord Museum
Price: Free
Santa Claus Parade
A Santa Claus Parade will make its way down the streets of Greenfield Park followed by an old-fashioned Christmas party that includes free hot chocolate, hot soup, roasted marshmallows, pony rides, a petting farm and the Santa Claus himself.
Man, he must be busy this time of year.
When: Sunday, December 16
Time: 1 pm – 4:30 pm
Where: 195 Empire Street, Longueuil
Price: Free
Notre-Dame Basilica
jiawangkun/ Shutterstock
Celebrate Sunday mass at Montreal’s most viewed structure at 11 am and hear a 25-person choir accompanied by the organ. Or, take a walking tour of the basilica which is an absolutely gorgeous spectacle. It is filled with hundreds of wooden carvings, several religious statues, and gigantic stained glass windows.
When: The Notre-Dame Basilica is open year round
Time: 12:30 pm – 4 pm on Sundays (mass starts at 11 am)
Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
Price: Free
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