28 things to do in Montreal this weekend: December 17 to 19
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Gang, by this time next weekend, we’ll be celebrating Christmas.
But don’t let that stop you from going hard on the holiday charm this weekend.
From outdoor skating rinks and markets to ice bars, art, and the Habs, here is what’s worth checking out across Montreal this weekend.
Crew Collective & Cafe Holiday Market
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Arguably Montreal’s most stunning cafe will be hosting a holiday market this weekend.
Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa
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The past couple of years have been a lot to deal with, so it might be time to sneak away from everything for a while.
Or heck, maybe after seeing the spa at the Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa, you might book a stay forever.
The stone-walled inn, which is 230 kilometres outside of Montreal, is in the heart of Gatineau Park and offers enchanting outdoor dining, charming rooms, a relaxing spa, all blended with history and scenic views.
When:Ā Open every day
Time:Ā 3 pm (check-in)
Where: 60 Chemin Mill, Wakefield
Price:Ā Ranges from $181 to $600+ per night, reservations online
Old Port Skating Rink
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A 2,500-square-metre outdoor skating rink with the Montreal skyline as a backdrop, it’s tough to get cooler than this (literally).
When: From now until March 6, 2022
Time:Ā Monday ā Wednesday, 9 am ā 9 pm; Thursday ā Sunday, 9 am ā 10 pm
Where:Ā BonsecourĀ Basin
Price:Ā $24 (pre-sale), availableĀ online
Hiverside – Outdoor ice bar
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You might be accustomed to ordering drinks on ice, but this week you can literally be ordering booze on ice.
Hiverside will also be offering music, dancing, and three signature wintery cocktails for guests.
When:Ā December 16 – 18
Time: Thursday 7 – 10:30 pm; Friday & Saturday, 7 pm – 2 am
Where: 5020 rue Saint Ambroise
Price:Ā Free admission. Reservations can be made online (walk-ins welcome)
Parc nature Eco-OdyssĆ©eĀ ā Skating maze
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It’s almost time to dig those skates out of storage and plan a day trip to Wakefield, Quebec.
When:Ā December 18 ā January 6 (then on weekends until March 6)
Time:Ā 10 am ā 9 pm
Where:Ā 52, Chemin les Sources, La PĆŖche Wakefield
Price:Ā $15 ā $20 (kids under two get in for free)
Enchanted Alley Photobooth
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Montrealers can get their portrait taken by a professional photographer at an enchanting Christmas-themed alleyway.
On Saturdays and Sundays until December 19, photographer Caroline Perron will be on-site taking pictures in front of the alleyway’s Christmas set-up.
The alleyway features a fireplace, comfy red armchair, lanterns, and (obviously) a Christmas tree.
When:Ā From now until December 19
Where:Ā Between Palco and Dollarama (4023 Wellington Street, Verdun)
Price:Ā $75 ā $125, reservationsĀ online
Candlelight Concerts
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Classical music lit by candlelight, what else could you ask for to warm you up this winter?
When: Various dates from now until February
Time: 7 and 9:15 pm
Where: Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Price: $30 ā 40, availableĀ online
Free Museum of Fine Arts
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The MontrealĀ Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)Ā is getting into the spirit of giving by allowing the general public free access to its permanent collections and three discovery exhibitions.
The deal is part of the museum’s Gift of the Holidays promotion, available until December 24.
Check out which exhibitions are free to check out right here.
Christmas tree shopping
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If you don’t have a tree yet, don’t stress.
Two of Montreal’s enchanting holiday markets are now selling Falsam, Fraser, and Balsam Firs, ranging between $50 and $80, depending on size.
Both markets have also simultaneously launched Christmas Villages, so you get two fun Christmasy events at one stop.
When:Ā From now until December 25
Time: 8 am – 5 pm
Where:Ā 138 Avenue Atwater & 7070 Henri Julien Avenue
Price:Ā Varies
Champagne Box
OpenTable
If you’re looking for a place to pop some bubbly as 2021 winds down (or as 2022 ramps up), a private luxury suite at the W Hotel Montreal might be calling your name.
The W Hotel has partnered with the iconic French champagne house MoĆ«t & Chandon and is hosting a glass-enclosed room dubbed the “Champagne Box” that you and your pals can reserve for private parties.
When:Ā From now until February 2022
Time:Ā 5 ā 11 pm
Where:Ā 901 rue Square Victoria
Price:Ā $95 per person,Ā reservation requiredĀ
Illumi
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Laval just got a whole lot brighter.
Illumi, the outdoor light show, has officially deemed it the start of the holiday season and has 25-million LED Christmas lights to prove it.
Check it out on foot or by car.
When:Ā From now until January 3 (closed December 14 & 15)
Time:Ā 5 ā 9 pm
Address:Ā 2805 Boulevard Du Souvenir, Laval
Price:Ā $15.75 ā $21.74, free for kids under 4 (available online)
LuminothƩrapie
The 12th edition of LuminothƩrapie has lit up the Quartier des Spectacles, featuring an illuminated 55-foot whale, giant icebergs, musical seesaws, and more.
When:Ā From now until February 6, 2022
Time:Ā Friday ā Sunday, 10 am ā 11 pm; Monday ā Thursday, 12 ā 10 pm
Where:Ā Quartier des Spectacles
Price:Ā Free
Fontaine borƩale
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Considering Christmas is usually associated with snow and ice, it might be time for a little element change.
A giant Christmas fountain, known as “Fontaine borĆ©ale,” is returning to the Complexe Desjardins for the holiday season, and it splashes off on Saturday.
The immersive multi-sensory experience features the Complexe Desjardin’s Grande-Place water fountain, completely decked out in the Christmas spirit.
When:Ā December 4 – 31
Time:Ā 10 am – 6 pm
Where:Ā Complexe Desjardins
Price: Free
Miracle Montreal
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This year, Miracle Montreal has taken over Parliament in the Old Port, bringing a sleigh-full of festive feels to the stone-walled pub.
Christmas-themed cocktails include the Christmapolitan, Christmas Carol Barrel, Snowball Old-Fashioned, Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r!, Jingle Balls Nog, Nice Shot, and Naughty Shot.
When:Ā From now until December 26
Time: 2 pm – 2 am
Where: 351 Place d’Youville
Continuum – Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium
Journey to space and study the infinitely small to the unfathomable large at this exhibition that connects humankind to the rest of the universe.
When: Daily
Times: Sunday – Wednesday, 9 am – 5:30 pm; Thursday – Saturday, 9 am – 8:30 pm; closed Monday
Where: 4801 Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue
Price: $17 – $22, available online
Grand MarchƩ de Noƫl
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Montreal.
After taking a hiatus last holiday due to you-know-what, Noƫl MontrƩal has announced it is returning to the Quartier des Spectacles, offering cultural, festive, and culinary events downtown.
Along with festive atmospheres, each market will be selling local products from maple syrup to toys, decor, clothes, sweets, food, trees, and drinks (great for gifts). It will host Christmas events and seriously beautiful photo opps.
When: From now until January 2
Time: 11 am – 9 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price:Ā Free admission
New Exhibits at Phi Centre
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This fall, the PHI Centre is offering completely free programming.
New exhibits include an augmented reality tour, a new musical listening room calledĀ Living Sound, a multimedia installation on the windows of the PHI Centre featuring Innu poet Josephine Bacon, and a series of new film screenings by Montreal’s emerging Black artists.
When: Daily
Times: Monday ā Tuesday, 9 am ā 5 pm; Wednesday ā Friday, 9 am ā 7 pm; Saturday ā Sunday, 11 am ā 7 pm
Where: 315 Saint-Paul W
Price: Free
Alight at Night
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If you’re looking to take a little family road trip, why not check out Ontario’s largest outdoor light festival, Alight at Night?
Located about 140 km outside of Montreal, Upper Canada Village will be undergoing its winter transformation, as the historic location will be decorated with over one million lights.
When: December 2 – 5, December 9 – 12, December 16 ā January 1 (closed December 24 & 25)
Time:Ā 5 pm to 9 pm
Where:Ā Upper Canada Village,Ā 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, ONT
Price: $15, free for kids under 4
Craft Beer Tour
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Take a guided three-hour walking tour and try some of Montreal’s best craft beers.
The tour stops at three different Montreal breweries, and guests can sample six artisanal beers paired with food.
Get a walking view of the city AND have a couple of pops.
When: Saturday, December 18
Time: 2 pm
Where: Starts at Le St-Bock at 1749 St. Denis Street
Price: Starting at $72, available online
Jean-Talon Christmas market
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As if the Jean-Talon Market isn’t beautiful enough as is. The annual Christmas Market has taken over the site. There’ll be plenty of seasonal delights that are sure to make you feel like a kid again.
Enchanted WorldsĀ
MusƩe McCord Museum
If you’re a regular window shopper, this exhibition was made for you.
Since 1947, Ogilvy’s department store, now known as Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, has been treating passersby to several delightful holiday-themed mechanical displays. Over the years, these miniature displays have transported locals to captivating winter wonderlands with their plaid-draped animals, snow-dusted pines, and busy villagers.
The McCord Museum has recreated the store’s whimsical holiday scenes, granting viewers the opportunity to rejoice in the holiday spirit.
When:Ā From now until January 2
Time:Ā 24/7
Where:Ā 690 Sherbrooke Ouest
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