21 things to do in Montreal this weekend: December 3 to December 4

From new bar openings to Christmas pop-ups, here is everything you need on your social calendar this weekend.

Saturday, December 3

Kinky Boots

The highly acclaimed Broadway musical is making its way to Montreal in January 2017. From January 3rd until January 8th, Kinky Boots will be taking over Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts for 8 consecutive shows. Kinky Boots made its Broadway debut in 2013, only to receive 13 Tony award nominations and 6 Tony wins in the 2013 awards season.
When: January 3-8, 2017
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Tory Lanez

Tory Lanez is bringing his crowdwalking skills to Montreal. Lanez is known for his crowdsurfing, beats, and rap style and is one of Toronto’s biggest music exports these days. His debut album, I Told You, was released in August and his massive four-month tour started shortly after. Clearly Lanez is loved, as the majority of his tour dates have sold-out.
When: Saturday, December 3 at 8 pm
Where: L’Olympia – 1004 Sainte-Catherine E

German Christmas Bazaar

Discover German gastronomy and learn about traditional Christmas celebrations at the German Christmas Bazaar. There will be German-inspired gifts, decor, and food at this one-of-a-kind event thrown by the German Society of Montreal.
When: December 3
Where: 90 Avenue Roosevelt

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

2016 marks the arrival of Montreal’s first ever Christmas-themed bar. The pop-up bar, titled Miracle Montreal, is in town for just one month. 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. In addition to festive cocktails, they will have fun giveaways throughout the month courtesy of their on-site advent calendar. The bar will be set up in the Latin Quarter starting December 1st. Grab a drink and toast to the holidays!
When: December 1-31 (they’re even open Christmas Day!), 3 pm-3 am
Where: 323 Ontario Est

Festival Noel Dans Le Parc

Three Montreal parks will be turned into a holiday paradise this December thanks to Festival Noels Dans Le Parc. Taking place from December 1st until Christmas Day, each of the three participating parks will be filled with holiday activities like marshmallow roasting, bonfires, gift stands, Christmas tree stands, and of course, Santa-sightings.
When: December 1-25
Where: Place Emilie Gamelin, Parc Lahaie, Parc Parc Des Compagnons De Saint-Laurent

Merry Montreal

Head to Old Port this holiday season and enjoy a slew of free activities, ranging from a New Year’s Eve party to outdoor yoga. Stroll through the market, set up in Place Jacques Cartier, and you’ll find gourmet food, warm drinks, artisanal crafts, and local art. If you’re a movie buff, be sure to attend the Outdoor Holiday Cinema in which festive family films will be screened.
When: December 1-24
Where: Old Port of Montreal

A Victorian Christmas

Step into a Charles Dickens novel thanks to the Sir George Etienne Cartier National Historic Site’s annual “A Victorian Christmas.” This unique holiday exhibition will allow Montrealers to be transported back in time and learn about the customs and traditions of Christmas in the Victorian era. There will be a beautifully laid table, historically accurate Christmas tree, and even Santa Claus.
When: Until December 30
Where: Sir George Etienne Cartier National Historic Site, 458 Rue Notre-Dame E

Check out the Barbie Expo

In case you hadn’t heard, Montreal is currently home to the Barbie Expo, the largest permanent collection of Barbie dolls in the world. Montrealers have the chance to see and Instagram over 1,000 one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls. The Barbie dolls on display are not your average Barbie dolls, however. Rather, Barbie Expo is an exhibition of haute couture with Barbie as the model. As the website states, “This is Barbie seen at her fashionable best, a stunningly beautiful collection chicly modeled by the 11½-inch fashion icon.”
When: Open Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 pm to 9 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sundays from noon to 5 pm.
Where: 1455 Rue Peel

Souk @ sat

If you’re sick of shopping in chain retail stores, then the souk @ sat is for you. This annual market highlights the coolest creations that Montreal has to offer. Sixty local artists come together under one roof, displaying everything from designer clothes and accessories to jewelry, CDs, and toys. There is guaranteed to be something for all tastes and budgets at this massive holiday fair.
When: November 29-December 4
Where: 1201 Boul St-Laurent

Sunday, December 4

The Nutcracker Market

Hosted by Les Grands Ballets, the Nutcracker Market is a fun and festive Christmas shopping market that will take over Palais des Congres starting November 26th. Nearly 100 exhibitors will be participating at this year’s market, all of which have agreed to donate 10% of their proceeds to the Nutcracker Fund for Children. If you’re in a need of a gift for the foodie in your life, look no further. There will be a whole gourmet foods section selling everything from French macarons and candy to olive oil and popcorn.
When: November 26-December 6
Where: Palais des Congres

Santa’s Kingdom

What: Santa is back at Complexe Desjardins this Christmas! Head on over this downtown mall and marvel at Santa, his elves, and of course the grand carousel going round and round. While meet Santa or going on a carousel ride will set you back $2, being in the vicinity and watching the fun is enough to spread Christmas cheer.
When: Until December 24
Where: Complexe Desjardins

Les Choralies at Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

Head to this historic church in Old Port for some old-fashion choir singing. Just in time for the holidays, Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours is putting on six shows that are totally free to the public. Be ready to sing some Christmas carols!
When: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
Where: Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours, 400 Rue Saint Paul E

Macbeth

What: After two sold-out runs, The Other Theatre is proud to bring back Shakespeare’s tale of ambition, murder and magic. A tale where the living and the dead intermingle, where the magical and the mortal become indistinguishable, Macbeth invites the spectator into the heart of dreams and madness. Shows will be presented in French and Haitian Creole with English translation.
When: Until December 6
Where: Segal Centre, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine

Titled, “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine,” the exhibit explores the fantastical series through the lens of Renaissance period, claiming that much of the series’ magic was rooted in Renaissance traditions. Touching on scientific concepts like alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy, this unique exhibit is sure to provide insight and background information J.K. Rowling’s beloved wizarding world. The exhibition is free to attend.
When: Until January 7, 2017
Where: Westmount Public Library, 4574 Rue Sherbrooke O

Noel sur l’Avenue

Make your way down Mont-Royal Ave for this traditional torchlit walk. Following a Christmas sleigh, this event attracts nearly 10,000 people each year. Better yet, it culminates in Christmas in the Park, which features an enchanting holiday village filled with activities and treats for the whole family.
When: December 1-24
Where: Avenue du Mont-Royal Est

When the Clock Strikes Me, One Day Sooner & InJoy + In Focus

By brainstorming and bodystorming in search of resonant movements to embody the hip-hop poetry of Saul Williams and his own written texts, Greg “Krypto” Selinger seeks to share some of the big ideas from the fields of quantum physics and the philosophy of consciousness by leaping, contorting, and exploding in an acrobatic virtuosity. Can a dance performance bring us to see the world with new eyes?
When: Until December 4
Where: Monument-National, 1182 Boul St-Laurent

Visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ latest exhibit, Focus: Perfection

Titled “Focus: Perfection,” this temporary exhibit focuses on Robert Mapplethorpe, one of the most influential photographers of the 21st century. The exhibit hails all the way from Los Angeles and was curated by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. “Focus: Perfection” will track Mapplethorpe’s work from the beginning of his career in the 1960s to his tragic death in 1989. See this exhibition for free on the last Sunday in December!
When: Tuesday 10 am-5 pm, Wednesday 10 am-9 pm, Thursday to Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Where: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Get a s’mores hot chocolate

As if plain hot chocolate weren’t good enough, the geniuses at Chocolat Favoris Montreal have come out with a s’mores hot chocolate. That’s right, delicious and creamy hot cocoa, featuring graham crackers and topped with toasted marshmallows and a melted chocolate drizzle. Campfires are clearly not just for summer. Concocted using their own homemade chocolate fondues, of which there are several flavours, you will instantly fall in love with the s’mores hot chocolate.
When: Anytime
Where: Chocolat Favoris Montreal (multiple locations)

Santas Are Taking Over the Stewart Museum

The Stewart Museum’s magical Christmas exhibit opens on November 16th. The exhibition will showcase 30 Santa figurines and a Szalasi doll castle that comes to life when music plays. Admission to the museum and the special holiday exhibit are free.
When: Until January 8, 2017
Where: 20 Chemin du Tour de l’isle