12 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, December 7

As December hits the one-week mark, here are a bunch of things worth checking out in the city today, December 7.

• See also:
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Marche de Noël aux flambeaux

Mont-Royal Avenue is getting a holiday makeover today, 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.

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

Imagine Van Gogh

Montreal has been coated with an exhibition of the works of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous figures in the history of the art world.

The exhibition, Imagine Van Gogh, which opened on Thursday, takes guests through the world of colours and emotions of Van Gogh’s works through gigantic murals and an immersive soundtrack.

When: Saturday, December 7
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Arsenal Contemporary Art Contemporain
Price: $26 – $36, available online

Vegan Christmas Market

Montreal’s Vegan Christmas Market gathers a group of vendors offering a wide range of vegan products, made without animal exploitation.

Guests will find pastries, chocolate treats, cosmetic products, artisanal soaps, clothing, and more.

When: Saturday, December 7
Time: 11 am – 5 pm
Where: Maison du développement durable, 50 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
Price: $9

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 today, 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 to March 8, 2020
Time: 10 am to 9 pm: Monday to Wednesday, 10 am to 10 pm: Thursday to 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 this weekend.

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 will be 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

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.

The festival kicked off at the end of November and sums up tonight.

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

Week 3: DIY Ornaments

Now that the countdown to Christmas is officially on, one of the world’s leading toy stores is holding a series of festive pop-ups to get Montrealers into the holiday spirit.

Ahead of the upcoming holiday season, FAO Schwarz will host holiday activities over three weekends at Montreal’s La Baie d’Hudson, this being the third and last.

Today, kiddos can come by the pop-up and make their own custom holiday cards at the FAO Schwarz arts and crafts station, and take a festive picture in the photo booth.

When: Saturday, December 7
Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: 585 Saint-Catherine Street Ouest, Main Floor
Price: Free

Mini Comiccon de Montreal 2019

A mini version of Comiccon is coming to Montreal this weekend, just in time for some gift ideas.

It will feature a “shopping experience aimed at fans that are looking for that special gift for the hard-to-shop-for collector” ranging from games, clothing, comics, toys, statues, DVDs/Blu-rays, replicas and more.

When: December 7 and 8
Time: 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday, until 5 pm on Sunday
Where: Palais des congrès de Montréal — 1001 place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Price: Free admission

Noël dans le Parc

Celebrating its 26th edition, Noël dans le Parc is a month-long outdoor Christmas festival spread out among three popular parks in Montreal, and it’s ready for its second weekend.

The festival offers free music shows and events, holiday-themed drinks and bites, outdoor fire pits, and Christmas trees for purchase.

Because if there’s ever a place to nab a tree, it’s in a park devoted to Christmas.

Once again this year, the festival will host francophone music by renowned local artists, all of whom will perform on a gorgeous cabin stage, built specifically for the Noël dans le Parc.

When: December 7 and 8
Time: Varies per park
Where: Place Émilie-Gamelin, parc Lahaie, and parc des Compagnons
Price: Free admission

Le Marché de Noël chez Maison Pepin

Maison Pepin has channelled a little bit of Harry Potter by turning its charming alleyway into a breathtaking rustic Christmas market.

The market itself features a variety of locally-made products for sale and DIY workshops from gift packaging to wreath making.

Without taking away from the local artisans, the alleyway is one of the most picturesque Christmas-time spots in the city. The narrow walls, dim lighting, light snow, and wreaths are begging to be shared all over Instagram.

This is the market’s third weekend and it runs until the end of December.

When: From now until December 22
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 378 Rue St-Paul Ouest
Price: Free

Village de Noël de Montréal

As if the Atwater Market isn’t magical enough, it’s been transformed into a ‘Christmas Village’ for its fourth edition of Village de Noël.

The village, which can be found on the outskirts of the Atwater Market, includes 40 local craftsmen and restauranteurs, concerts, choirs and shows, a sugar shack, an outdoor fire pit, creative activities, a Christmas tree sale, and face painting.

As a bonus, the big man himself, Santa Claus, will be taking time out of his very busy holiday schedule to be on site every weekend until Christmas.

When: December 6 to 8 (until December 22)
Time: 11:30 am to 9 pm
Where: Place du Marche, corner of St-Ambroise and Atwater
Price: Free

Luminothérapie

Place des Festivals is lit.

The Quartier des Spectacles’ public square is hosting the 10th edition of Luminothérapie through Pop!, a celebration of five fantastical creatures that aim to light up the city during the dark days of winter.

Because if anything can lighten up our bleak winter, it’s Luminothérapie, Quebec’s largest temporary public art installation.

When: From now until January 26
Time: 12 to 11 pm
Where: Place des Festivals
Price: Free