33 things to do in Montreal this December

It’s really tough to find a month that can trump December and Montreal is boasting an impressive amount of activities that you should probably check out throughout the month.

You know, cap off 2019 in style.

• See also:
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Alight at Night

Lights (a lot of them), camera… action Christmas!

One of the country’s biggest outdoor light festivals is just about ready for you and the holidays.

Located about 140 km outside of Montreal, Upper Canada Village will be undergoing its winter transformation, as the historic location is adorned with over one million lights to become Ontario’s largest outdoor light festival, Alight at Night.

When: November 29 and 30, December 1, 3, 5-8 , 12-15, 19-23, 26-31, January 1-4
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, ONT
Price: $12 – $16, depending on age, available online

The Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre

The Canadiens started off the 2019-20 campaign hot and dipped a bit in November.

They only play four games at home this month as they look to get their season back on track.

Check out the Habs as they take on the New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings in December.

When: December 3, 5, 11
Time: Varies from 7 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: Varies per date and seat selection, available online

Miracle Montreal – Christmas Pop-Up Bar

Miracle Pop-Up has taken over The Coldroom and transformed it into a beautifully festive Christmas bar.

If you aren’t in the holiday spirit yet, this might help you get there.

Miracle pops up in over 80 cities around the globe, partnering with local bars to inspire the Christmas cheer through festive decorations, quirky parties, ugly X-Mas sweaters, and of course, seasonal cocktails and grub.

For the second year in a row, Miracle will join forces with The Coldroom to bring on the festive feels, every day until December 26.

When: From now until December 26
Time: 5 pm to 3 am
Where: The Coldroom — 131 de la Commune
Price: Free admission

André Sauvé

André Sauvé, the renowned Quebec comedian, will be doing a show in Brossard at the beginning of the month as part of his winter-long tour across the province.

When: Thursday, December 5
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: L’Etoile, 6000 Blvd de Rome # 100, Brossard
Price: $59.75, available online

Comedy Crowd OFF

If you’ve ever sweated through a stand-up comedy show while sitting in the front row, the tables may have now turned in your favour.

Comedy Crowd OFF, a new comedy club in downtown Montreal, encourages audience members to heckle the comics, rewarding the best chirpers with a prize at the end of the night.

“Use all those comebacks you thought of in the shower and lead your table to victory,” reads the Comedy Crowd OFF Facebook page.

The venue continues to describe ‘heckling’ as to interrupt or harass a stand-up comedian during a performance. Heckling is done through the means of yelling, jeering, and roasting.

When: December 5 and 19
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Kenoh Bar, 1431B rue Bishop
Price: $5 admission

The Irishman – Cinema Moderne

Martin Scorsese’s new film, The Irishman, assembles an all-star cast that includes Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino and therefore shouldn’t be watched on the small screen.

The film will be screened at Cinéma Moderne for various runs all weekend and follows an epic saga of organized crime in postwar America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran (De Niro).

The Guardian is calling it “one of Scorsese’s best films ever” which is some high praise.

When: December 1-2, 5-8
Time: Varying times
Where: Cinéma Moderne, 5150 boulevard St-Laurent
Price: $15, available online

Scotiabank Cheapie Tuesday Movie Night

Scotiabank offers $7 general admission tickers every Tuesday at their downtown location.

November is a great month for movies, especially for under $10. Check out Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Jumanji: The Next Level, Playmobil: The Movie, Spies in Disguise, Bombshell, Cats, Uncut Gems, Black Christmases, and so much more.

They also have deals on snack combos. Can you honestly say no to that popcorn smell?

When: December 3, 10, 17, and 24
Time: Varies depending on selection
Where: 977 Rue Saint-Catherine Ouest
Price: General admission starts at $7

Comedy at the Art Loft

Comedy at the Art Loft is the hottest underground comedy show in Montreal. It’s the city’s only weekly bilingual show and is run out of a private loft on rue Saint-Laurent and is usually packed with people. It feels like a college part, except a comedian is slinging jokes into a microphone.

The hosts, headliners, and featured acts change weekly and we’ll be sure to keep you up to date.

The venue features a DJ and snacks. BYOB and it’s 420 friendly. Very 420 friendly.

When: December 6, 13, 20, and 27
Time: Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm
Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $10 at the door (cash only)

Montreal Bach Festival

Montreal’s Festival Bach is devoted to classical music buffs and obviously, composer Johann Sebastian Bach. From local and international artists, the two-week festival will interpret the works of Bach.

When: From now until December 7
Time: Varying times
Where: Maison Symphonique de Montréal, 1600, rue St-Urbain
Price: $15 – $186, available online

Marche de Noël aux flambeaux

This month, Mont-Royal Avenue will be getting a holiday makeover, featuring a slew of Christmas activities and it all kicks off with the mountain’s traditional Christmas march.

Known officially as the Marche de Noël aux flambeaux, the enchanting Christmas trek will start off with the sounds of Brazilian percussions and brass instruments on Saturday, December 7 at 7 pm.

The march will begin at Parc des Compagnons-de-Saint-Laurent (corner of Mont-Royal and Cartier) and will finish at the gorgeous Parc La Fontaine.

The walk includes classic holiday songs performed by choirs from Les Nanas, Ensemble vocal les Jongleurs, Petites Voix du Plateau, and Les Voix ferrées.

Musicians from La Chasse-Balcon will also add to the march’s soundtrack by singing from six balconies on de la Roche Street.

When: Saturday, December 7
Time: 7 pm
Where: Mont-Royal Avenue
Price: $2 for torches, non-perishable food items strongly encouraged

Natrel Skating Rink

A skating rink with Old Montreal as the backdrop – talk about picturesque.

The Natrel Skating Rink in Old Montreal opens up to the public for the winter on December 7, offering some really nice ice.

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: December 7, 2019 – March 8, 2020
Time: 10 am – 9 pm: Monday – Wednesday, 10 am – 10 pm: Thursday – Sunday,
Where: Natrel Skating Rink, Bonsecours Basin
Price: $5.22 for kids six – 12; $7.83 general admission, free for kids under six.

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?

An entire village dedicated to Saint Nick, located about an hour away from the island of Montreal, opens next month.

Village du Père Noël is the perfect place for a holiday family getaway. Plus, it’s North of Montreal so you’ll actually be closer to 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: December 7, 8, 14, 15 and from December 21 to January 5 (closed on the 25th)
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 987 Route Morin, Val-David
Price: Adults (individuals two years old and older): $18; grandparents: $16

Natrel Skating Rink Fireworks

Aside from offering 2,500 square metres of refrigerated ice, the Natrel Skating Rink will be hosting firework displays in December.

Soak up a little mix of fire and ice this month.

When: December 14, 21, 28
Time: 8 pm
Where: Old Port, Rue de la Commune Ouest
Price: $5.22 – $7.83, available on site and online

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 15
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Musique à St.Andrew & St.Paul Sacred Music, 3415 rue Redpath
Price: Free

The Nutcracker Ballet

For the 56th year, the full-length rendition of Les Grands Ballet’s magical The Nutcracker returns to Montreal’s Place des Arts.

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 timeless musical score.

When: December 12, 14, 15, 19-23, 26-30
Time: 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Price: $50 – $144, available, online

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: December 16 – March 9
Time: 10 am – 4 pm (until 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Mont Royal Park
Price: $6 for 4 – 11 year olds, $10 for 12 years old and up

Cirque du Soleil – AXEL

Cirque du Soleil will hitting the “la glace” this month at the Bell Centre as the company’s new show, AXEL, carves its way to Montreal.

Fusing skating, acrobatics, live music, dancing, and stunning graphics, Cirque du Soleil is bringing their “ice spectacle” to the company’s founding city at the end of the month.

When: December 19 – 29
Time: 1 pm and 5 pm on Sunday, 3:30 pm and 7:30 on select dates throughout the week
Where: Bell Centre, 1909-avenue-des-Canadiens-de-Montreal
Price: $55.50 – $167.75, available online

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts – Miracle at the Museum

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is getting into the spirit of giving by allowing free access to the general public to its permanent collections and discovery exhibitions.

The deal is part of the museum’s Miracle at the Museum promotion and it kicks off from Saturday, December 21 to January 5, 2020.

Check out the website for a full list of exhibitions.

When: December 21 – January 5
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 1380 Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: Free

Enchanted Worlds – McCord Museum

Ogilvy’s old Christmas window display, a holiday fixture at the corner of Ste. Catherine and rue de la Montagne since 1947, can now be found on Sherbrooke Street.

Last year, the annual scenes of stuffed animals interacting in mechanical settings, was donated to the McCord Museum and it is now on display until January 5, 2020.

Ogilvy’s old display has been split into two exhibits, “The Mill in the Forest” and the “Enchanted Village.”

The Mill in the Forest can be seen outside, 24 hours a day, at the corner of Sherbrooke and rue Victoria and the Enchanted Village is in a room on the McCord’s second floor.

When: From now until January 5, 2020
Time: 10 am – 6 pm (Enchanted Forest), 24 hours a day, outside (The Mill in the Forest)
Where: McCord Museum
Price: $14 – $19 (Enchanted Forest), free admission (The Mill in the Forest)

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 29
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

Illumi Cavalia

The dark days of winter need to be brightened up a touch and that’s where Cavalia’s Illumi comes in.

Check out a world of magical, captivating, and gorgeous lights in an extraordinary outdoor show created from thousands of light sculptures, characters, and designs.

When: Every day in December
Time: 4 pm – 10 pm
Where: Illumi Cavalia, 2805 Boulevard du Souvenir, Laval
Price: $14.50 – $18.50, available online

Oasis Surf

Battle the winter blues with some hardcore waves. Just because Montreal isn’t located on the coast, doesn’t mean you can’t tackle some killer tides.

Oasis Surf in Brossard is an indoor pool, open to amateur and experienced surfers looking to ride the waves.

Radical.

When: Every day in December
Time: 10 am – 2 am
Where: Suite 01, 9520 Boulevard Leduc
Price: $30 for 30 minutes

Rage: Axe Throwing

If you feel the need to get some adrenaline pumping this month, head inside to Rage Axe Throwing and toss some axes.

The competition is based on accuracy points but throwing hatches, axes, and Tomahawks is fun enough without needing to tally the scores.

When: Every day in December
Time: Monday – Thursday 2 pm – 1o pm, Fridays & Sundays: 12 pm – 10 pm, Saturdays: 10 am – 11:30 pm
Where: 1436 Rue Amherst
Price: $45 – $55, available online

Laser Quest

Succumb to December’s darkness by going full-on pitch black, except for glow in the dark lights, and fire off some lasers.

Whether you take the game super seriously and turn into James Bond, or you just enjoy running around under a black light, Laser Quest is a great option for rainy November days (or nights) in Montreal.

When: Every day in November
Time: Monday – Thursday: 5 pm – 9 pm, Friday: 4 pm – 12 am, Saturday: 10 am – 12 am, Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: 1226 Rue Sainte Catherine Ouest
Price: $9 – $12 per person

Le Ceramic Cafe Studio

Test out your creativity in Decmeber.

If you’re a fan of art and coffee, Le Ceramic Cafe Studio is for you. Le Ceramic Cafe Studio allows Montrealers to sip on a latte or eat a sandwich, while creating some pretty magnificent ceramic art. Simply choose an object (like a mug or bowl), pick your colours, and get painting.

When: Every day in December
Time: Monday – Wednesday: 10 am – 11 pm,  Thursday: 10 am-12 am, Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 12:30 am, Sunday: 10 am-10pm
Where: 4338 Saint Denis
Price: $7 – $15 (varies by time)

Dodgebow

DodgeBow is exactly what it sounds like: dodgeball fused with bow and arrows.

The exhilarating team-based archery combat sport is capped with cushion-ends so they don’t hurt when they hit you and you can channel your inner Legolas when flinging them.

Face-off with your friends in the DodgeBow arena and put your marksmanship skills to the test. That’ll show the rain who’s boss.

When: Every day in December
Time: 2 pm – 8 pm
Where: 202-4767 Dagenais Street
Price: $24.95, available online

Putting Edge Mini-Putt

Putting Edge is an indoor mini-putt course that (besides having a great name), glows in the dark. Every hole has Canadian-based trivia questions plus the venue has an arcade and they serve alcohol. Need we say more?

When: Every day in December
Time: 10 am – 1 am
Where: 1259 rue Guy
Price: $11.99

Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives

A handful of mummies will be continuing their world tour when they cozy up to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for a few months, starting in September.

The exhibition, Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives, will be the mummies’ first North American exposition, following “tremendous success in Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan,” according to the MMFA.

As per the press release, the British Museum has reconstructed the lives of six individuals who lived along the Nile from about 900 BC to AD 180.

If one of them gets up and starts haunting you, however, that’s NOT part of the exhibition.

When: From now until February 2, 2020
Time: 10 am – 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Where: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 380, Sherbrooke Street O,
Price: $12 – $24, available online

Amaze Escape Room

You escaped November’s snow (sort of), now try to get out of an escape room.

Try your luck at escaping from a prison, military facility, lost temple, or laboratory. Make a reservation, choose your adventure and then you have anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get out of any respective room. Each mission is reserved solely for your group and you’re given a walkie-talkie in case you need hints/get scared.

When: Every day in December
Time: 2 pm – 10:30 pm
Where: 3550 Rue St. Jacques
Price: $15-$30 depending on your chosen mission (per person). Make your reservation first online.

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city, during wintertime. Not to mention, some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.

Plus, Santa Claus himself will be there during weekends in December!

When: Every day in December
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

Musée Grévin Montreal

If you want to heat up from December’s chill while staring at wax celebrity figures, Musée Grévin is for you.

Check out your favourite actors, athletes, and artists in wax form. The figurines are displayed beautifully through the four-floor museum that also features optical illusions and interactive displays. It’s admittedly pretty creepy staring into Elvis’ eyes, especially if he starts blinking.

When: Every day in December
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 705 Rue Saint Catherine (4th floor of the Eaton Centre)
Price: $19.50 for adult, $13.50 for children, $15.50 for youth and students and $18 for seniors

iSaute Kirkland

iSaute is a massive venue that has over 30 giant trampolines, trampoline basketball, wall climbing and a trampoline jungle gym. You pay by the hour, there’s a lot to do and it’s actually a fantastic workout. Fun for all ages (and a great workout).

When: Every day in December
Time: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Price: $16 for the first hour, $10 for the second. Tickets are sold at the door