26 things to do in Montreal this weekend: November 30 to December 2

As the last day of November dwindles down, the Christmas spirit in the city livens up. Montreal’s boasting a lot of great events to check out this weekend, from November 30 to December 2.

From Harry Potter, plenty of Christmas, concerts and food, the city’s got you covered until Monday.

Friday, November  30

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will play on a giant screen while a full symphony performs Patrick Doyle’s magical score from the movie. The film will be played in English with French subtitles.

Fans are encouraged to dress up, and relive some of the favourite JK Rowling moments from her early work.

Be sure to remember that even Dumbledore called music, “a magic beyond all we do here.”

When:  November 30 and December 1
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Tickets: $60.94 – $121.08, available online

Montreal Improv’s Main Event

How about some improv comedy to start off the weekend?

The ultimate improv competition in the city is happening on Friday as two teams collide for their weekly, main event.

Through a series of match-ups and challenges, all initiated through audience suggestions and interaction, only one team will leave Montreal Improv with the title of champion.

When: Friday, November 30
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Montreal Improv, 3697 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $8

Dream Land

Once the ‘Christmas Display House’ gets going, it’s officially the holidays. Sami Hajjar of the West Island will be continuing his ‘Christmas Display‘ house again this holiday season, but he’s upping his game.

Compared to last year’s ‘Frozen Land,’ the upcoming ‘Dream Land’ will feature 250,000 lights, inflatables and synchronized music to five Disney songs, four times a day.

When: From now until December 25
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm (Every hour)
Where: 9035 Jean-Bourdon Avenue, West Island
Price: Free

Village de Noël de Montréal

When: November 30 – December 23
Time: Weekends from 11:30 am – 9 pm
Where: Place du Marche, corner of St-Ambroise and Atwater
Price: Free

Clerel and Only the Righteous at Honey Martin Pub

Clerel and Only the Righteous are local musicians who know how to bring it. They play a Motown style of music – very unique and mellow vibes. The group will be playing at Honey Martin Pub on Friday, which will be a perfect intimate setting for the type of music Clerel and co. bring.

When: Friday, November 30
When: Honey Martin is open from 3 pm – 3 am, the band starts at 10 pm – 2:30 am
Where: 5916 Sherbrooke Ouest
Price: Free to enter

Le Marché de Noël chez Maison Pepin

Maison Pepin has channelled their inner-Harry Potter and have transformed their charming alleyway into a breathtaking rustic Christmas market.

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

Think about all the Instagramable moments this alleyway presents.

When: From now until December 24
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 378 Rue St-Paul Ouest
Price: Free

Montreal Bach Festival

The Bach Festival honours Bach and other composers in more than 20 concerts hosted at some of the most beautiful spots of Montreal: Quartier des spectacles, Mont Royal, Le Plateau, Westmount Park.

Hundreds of musicians, singers, and conductors from Quebec and Europe pay tribute to the famous German composer.

It’s enough to make you say, “I’ll be Bach.”

When: From now until December 7
Time: Varies per selection
Where: Various venues around Montreal
Price: $15 – $42, available online

Le Village du Vilain Sapin – Ugly Christmas Tree Launch

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 2nd edition of Le Village du Vilain Sapin will feature more than just an ugly, Charlie Brown-esque tree as this year’s evergreen will be ticklish.

Yes. A ticklish Christmas tree, and the unveiling is happening on Friday.

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: Friday, November 30 (until January 2)
Time: 5 pm, illumination of the laughing tree at 6 pm
Where: 57 rue Prince Arthur Est
Price: Free

The Nutcracker Market- Montreal

Every holiday season, the Nutcracker Market brings together hundreds of local artisans for a magical shopping experience.

The market started in 2010 in support of The Nutcracker Fund for Children, the country’s first charity Christmas market symbolizes the kick-off of the holiday celebrations.

10% of all exhibitor’s sales go towards the Fund that each year gives disadvantaged children a unique holiday experience that includes a free performance of The Nutcracker, animated creative workshops and gifts.

When: From now until December 9
Time: 11 am – 7 pm (Monday – Wednesday), 11 am – 8 pm (Thursday and Friday), 11 am – 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Palais des congrès
Price: Free

Alaclair Ensemble

Alaclair Ensemble is a Canadian hip-hop musical collective. The group consists of Ogden “Robert Nelson” Ridjanovic, Olivier “Maybe Watson” Normandin-Guenette, KenLo Craqnuques, Claude Bégin, Eman, Vlooper and Mash. Most band members reside in Montreal or Toronto.

They’ll be playing to a soon-to-be sold out Club Soda venue so you’d better act quickly.

When: Friday, November 30
Time: 9 pm
Where: Club Soda, 1225 rue Ste. Catherine
Price: $33, available online

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 always packed with people. It feels like a college party, except a comedian is speaking into a microphone.

Every week, Art Loft welcomes a slew of hilarious comedians, DJs and snacks.

This week’s lineup includes Quinn McMorrow as the host, Gabriel Omassi as the headliner and featured acts Reese Turner, Dion Owen, Christophe Davidson, Clif Knight, Nathan Teixeira, Aliya Kanani and Arl Brunet.

BYOB and 420 friendly. Very 420 friendly.

When: Friday, November 30
Time: Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm
Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $10 at the door (cash only)

FEZtival of Trees

The FEZtival of Trees is a family-friendly Christmas Tree Spectacle held by Karnak Shriners, which brings together families, neighbours, businesses and community partners to celebrate the many joys of Christmas.

Local businesses and organizations donate fully decorated Christmas Trees (artificial) that are displayed for the public to enjoy. At the end of the four-day event, the trees are raffled off.

When: Friday, November 30
Time: 10 am – 9 pm on Friday, until 6 pm on Saturday and 4 pm on Sunday
Where: Karnak Shriners, 3350 Sources Boulevard, Dollard

Saturday, December 1

Alight at Night

When: November 30 – December 2, December 5 -9, 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: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, and 22 – January 6 (closed on the 25 for deliveries)
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 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: December 1 – 31
Time: Every hour from 4 pm – 10 pm
Where: Complexe Desjardins, 150 rue Ste. Catherine Ouest
Price: Free

The Montreal Canadiens vs the New York Rangers

It’s an original six matchup this weekend as the Habs welcome the New York Rangers to town.

Look for Price to bounce back between the pipes after a good game versus the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

It’s Shea Weber’s second game of the season and his first Saturday night showing of the campaign. Things will be electric.

When: Saturday, December 1
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: Varying prices, available online

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

Brainfreeze Polar Bear Dip

Test out your strength as the Brainfreeze: Montréal Edition invites Montrealers of all ages to jump in freezing cold waters for youth mental health and the plunge makes for some pretty hilarious photos.

There’s a $25 registration fee for each polar bear participant and 100% of that money goes to Jack.org’s youth mental health programs.

After the plunge, there will be a community social at September Cafe with fantastic company and hot beverages.

When: Saturday, December 1
Time: 9:45 am
Where: Parc du Quai-de-la Tortue, Old Port
Price: $25, register online

Dance Party 2000

Revisit the year 2000 in music form.

DJs Thomas Leblanc and David Rancourt will be spinning tunes from the year 2000. Listen to your favourite songs and bands from nearly 20 years ago (yikes): Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the disco, Britney Spears, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Avril Lavigne, The Strokes, Postal Service, and the Vines to name a few.

That’ll get the nostalgia kicking. No word yet on whether you need to show up frosted hair tips or a Furby.

When: Saturday, December 1
Time: 11:30 pm – 3 am
Where: Bar Le Ritz PDB, 179 Rue Jean-Talon-Ouest
Price: $10 at the door

Sunday, December 2

Hockey History Exhibit

The Hockey Cup History travelling exhibit opens on Friday at the Dorval Museum of Local History and Heritage.

Hockey fans can take a look at trophies, rings, hockey sticks, archival footage and over 50 hockey-related artifacts. Visitors are also invited to play a hockey tabletop game as well as a ‘design your own goalie mask’ workshop.

When: From now until April 17
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Thursday to Sunday
Where: 1850 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval
Price: Free

Burgundy Lion Brunch

Burgundy Lion serves traditional English breakfasts every Sunday. Their menu is famous for their blood pudding, sausages, salmon, and Yorkshire pudding.

The pub also has one of the most extensive whisky menus in the city.

When: Sunday, December 2
Time: 9 am – 3 am
Where:  2496 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest

Musée Grévin Montreal

Sneak away from the winter cold and spend a few hours in a warm room while staring at wax celebrity figures.

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: Sunday, December 2
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

Kodaline Concert

Kodaline is an Irish rock band originally known as 21 Demands. In 2012 the band adopted their current name, Kodaline. The group comprises Steve Garrigan, Mark Prendergast, Vincent May, and Jason Boland.

The band will be rocking out an electric Théâtre Corona on Sunday.

When: Sunday, December 2
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: Théâtre Corona, 2490 Notre-Dame
Price: $37, available online

Notre-Dame Basilica

Celebrate Sunday mass at Montreal’s most viewed structure at 11 am and hear a 25-person choir accompanied by the organ. Or, take a walking tour of the basilica which is an absolutely gorgeous spectacle. It is filled with hundreds of wooden carvings, several religious statues, and gigantic stained glass windows.

When: The Notre-Dame Basilica is open year round
Time: 12:30 pm – 4 pm on Sundays (mass starts at 11 am)
Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
Price: Free

Curls for the Gurls

The second annual Curls for Gurls is a fundraiser for cancer. Teams will be composed of two men and two women competing against other teams in a weight-lifting competition.

The event includes snacks, protein drinks and raffle prizes.

When: Sunday, December 2
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: CrossFit de l’ouest, 1850 Hymus Boulevard, Dorval
Price: $35

See also

• Ogilvy's Christmas window display finds new home after 70 years
• Montreal's Royalmount mega-mall complex to add 6,000 housing units
• The funniest reactions to Canada's mobile alert system test
• Old Montreal has been transformed into a 1940s movie set