11 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, December 8

Dec 8 2018, 3:07 am

Christmas is in our sights as we settle in to December 8. The weather is crisp and chilly but these events could heat you up.

Dave Matthews Band

Dave Matthews Band/Facebook

Dave Matthew’s Band is an American rock band that was formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. Fronted by Dave Matthews, the band may not have the most original name, but their sound certainly is.

They’ll be rocking out an electric Bell Centre tonight.

When: Saturday, December 8
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: $85.25 – $151.25, available online

Christmas on Mont-Royal Avenue

Mont-Royal Avenue will be getting a holiday makeover, featuring a slew of Christmas activities this month.

The festival will kick off with the Marche de Noël aux flambeaux, an illuminated Christmas market.

This year, 10,000 people are expected to take part in the Marche de Noël. The march starts off at des Compagnons (corner of Mont-Royal and Cartier) and the walk continues through La Fontaine Park. Marchers will be given an illuminated candle while walking to music by three different choirs, Les Voix ferrées, Montréal Gay Men’s Chorus, and la Clique vocale.

When: December 8 to 23
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Mont-Royal Avenue
Price: Free admission

Alight at Night

outdoor light

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 8 and 9 and December 13-16, 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

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 9
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 987 Route Morin, Val-David
Price: Adults (individuals two years old and older): $18; Grandparents: $16

Fontaine Boréale

Christmas fountain

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

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

High Love Yoga

LOLË is hosting a cannabis-friendly yoga event on Saturday. The class will be run by a local, trained, yoga teacher and a live DJ. Guests are encouraged to smoke and workout — talk about relaxing.

Cannabis will NOT be sold on site.

When: Saturday, December 8
Time: 3:30 pm – 6 pm
Where: LOLË Ste-Catherine, 954 Ste-Catherine Ouest

Natrel Skating Rink

montreal old port 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: December 8, 2018 – March 10, 2019
Time: 10 am – 9 pm (Mondays – Wednesdays), 10 am – 10 pm (Thursdays – Sundays)
Where: Natrel Skating Rink, Bonsecours Basin
Price: $6.95 general admission, $4.90 kids aged 6 – 12, free for children under 6

Marche de Noël aux flambeaux

This year, 10,000 people are expected to take part in the Marche de Noël, an illuminated Christmas march.

The hike starts off at des Compagnons (corner of Mont-Royal and Cartier) and the walk continues through La Fontaine Park. Marchers will be given an illuminated candle while walking to music by three different choirs, Les Voix ferrées, Montréal Gay Men’s Chorus, and la Clique vocale.

Traditional folk music from Chasse-Balcon will also join the march, delighting the crowd with their unique music inspired by Louisian-style porch jams.

When: December 8 to 23
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Mont-Royal Avenue
Price: Free admission

Le Village du Vilain Sapin – Ugly Christmas Tree Village

Ugly Christmas tree

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

See also

DH Montreal StaffDH Montreal Staff

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