14 things to do in Montreal today: Sunday, December 8

If you’re feeling adventurous, Montreal is oozing with things worthy of checking out today, December 8.

• See also:
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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: Sunday, December 8
Time: 4 to 10 pm
Where: Illumi Cavalia — 2805 Boulevard du Souvenir, Laval
Price: $14.50 – $18.50, 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 Christmas 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: Sunday, December 8
Time: 5 pm to 3 am
Where: The Coldroom — 131 de la Commune
Price: Free admission

Mini Comiccon de Montreal 2019

A mini version of Comiccon kicked off yesterday, and it sums up it’s little two-day run today.

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: Sunday, December 8
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Palais des congrès de Montréal — 1001 place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Price: Free admission

Alight at Night

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

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

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

When: Sunday, December 8
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Where: Upper Canada Village — 13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg, Ontario
Price: $12 – $16, depending on age, available online

The Nutcracker Market – Montreal

Every holiday season, the Nutcracker Market brings together hundreds of local artisans for a magical shopping experience, and it’s back today to conclude its 10th edition.

Hundreds of exhibitors will be in attendance selling everything from gourmet food and hand-knit mittens, to gorgeous jewellery, and sweet-smelling candles. The market will display gifts for everyone in your life – children, partners, friends, and family.

When: Sunday, December 8
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Palais des congrès
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: Sunday, December 8
Time: 10 am to 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)

Fontaine boréale

Considering Christmas is usually associated with snow and ice, it might be time for a little element change.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Christmas fountain known as “Fontaine boréale” has returned to the Complexe Desjardins for 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.

When: Sunday, December 8
Time: Every hour from 4 to 10 pm
Where: Complexe Desjardins, 150 rue Ste. Catherine Ouest
Price: Free

Olde Orchard Sunday Game Show

Cap off your weekend in game show form as Ye Olde Orchard Pub is hosting their weekly “Game Show Night” hosted by Jay Devine.

The event offers classic games like Family Feud, Pictionary, and Word Finder but with a twist.

Plus, you’re at a pub so you know, drinking.

When: Sunday, December 8
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Ye Olde Orchard Pub & Grill — 20 Prince Arthur
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: Sunday, December 8
Time: Varies per park
Where: Place Émilie-Gamelin, parc Lahaie, and parc des Compagnons
Price: Free admission

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city in all its festive glory.

Not to mention, there will be some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.

When: Sunday, December 8
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

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: Sunday, December 8
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Arsenal Contemporary Art Contemporain
Price: $26 – $36, available online

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: Sunday, December 8 (until the 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