Recommendations for December

This winter, the historic district once again becomes a must-visit destination to celebrate the magic of the holiday season. Immerse yourself in Old Montreal’s unique charm through a festive and varied program: illuminated pathways, activities for all ages, guided tours & rallies, entertainment, gourmet menus, special offers, cultural events and much more. From day to night, the neighbourhood offers endless opportunities to create unforgettable moments in a warm and historic setting.

November 22– December 30, 2024

Le Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal, also known as Place des Arts Christmas Market, takes place at Quartier des Shows (Quartier des Spectacles or Place des Arts) between late November and early January.

Dozens of stalls sell festive ornaments, artisan crafts, and local products amidst sparkling holiday lights.

Grab some mulled wine and hot cocoa to warm up while shopping for gifts. Additionally, the Christmas market offers an array of free outdoor activities, such as karaoke, carol singing, and cooking classes. The market operates from 3 pm to 10 pm Thursday-Friday, from 11 am to 10 pm on Saturdays, and from 11 am to 8 pm on Sundays. The fair is open on Christmas Eve from 1 pm to 7 pm. On Christmas Day, the fair is closed.

Old Montréal’s Place Jacques-Cartier hosts one of Montreal Christmas markets on our list. An atmospheric fair called Merry Montréal has outdoor fire pits, mulled wine, live music, and free activities for children. Dozens of stalls offer candles, crafts, gifts, and accessories. The fair operates from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday and Friday and from 12 to 8 pm on weekends. Besides Christmas fun, the area is also famous for hosting the biggest New Year’s Eve party in the neighborhood.

November 28–December 22, 2024

Montréal Christmas Village (Village de Noël de Montréal) on the Atwater Market Square (Place du Marché Atwater) near Lionel-Groulx metro. This holiday market supports eco-responsible trade, boasts fabulous festive decor, treats with seasonal goodies, and provides some unique entertainment, like the so-called Cine-sled (cinematographic or theatrical programming). The merriments run on weekends from late November through late December. The hours of operation are 5 pm to 9 pm on Fridays, 11 am to 8 pm on Saturdays, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays. On November 28th, the Opening Day, the market works from 4 pm to 7 pm. On November 29th, it will work till 10 pm.

Another Christmas spot with an authentic jolly atmosphere is Marché de Noël de Jean-Talon held at the Jean-Talon market. You can discover this beautiful little village, filled up with lovely Christmas gifts and seasonal delicacies, between late November and late December. The opening hours are 10 am to 6 pm on most days, except Friday when the market opens later at 12 pm, and also Sunday when the market closes earlier at 5 pm.

In the autumn of 2023, an unprecedented exhibition devoted to the most famous Belgian comic strip characters will be held at Tour & Taxis in Brussels: TINTIN / KUIFJE, THE IMMERSIVE ADVENTURE. The fruit of a close collaboration between Culturespaces and Tintinimaginatio, the event was a huge success in Paris in 2022.

November 28, 2024 to March 9, 2025

Light, creativity, and the essence of the north come together for “Lumino”, Montréal’s must-see winter event, returning in a vibrant 15th edition. This season-long celebration illuminates downtown and the Quartier des Spectacles, transforming cold nights into a spectacle of dazzling light and artistry.

Enjoy more than thirty concerts with Bach music as well as other composers in the most beautiful areas of the city. The Bach Festival offers a series of concerts at the most prestigious venues of Montréal. Hundreds of great musicians, singers, conductors and other performers from Québec and abroadwill pay tribute to the music of Bach. Also, discover the Off-Festival Bach that offers a wide range of events in addition to the official programme of the Montreal Bach Festival. Located in a space on Boulevard Saint-Laurent near Place des Arts, Off-Festival Bach hosts all scheduled events: concerts, public rehearsals, discussions, performances. Have a coffee, get information and relax while listening to music!

Showcasing literature from Québec and around the world, the Salon du livre de Montréal presents the largest collection of French-language books in North America. Book lovers, avid readers, and book browsers gather at one of the most popular events of the year. Come and meet your favorite authors, and discover new ones, during our literary events, including the round-table discussions, debates, and public readings.

A magnificent ladybug captures the eye of an awkward, unusual insect who has just moved into this lively neighborhood, and the two instantly fall in love. The show plunges the audience into the hidden universe alive at our feet; an ecosystem teeming with life and unseen beings - insects that work, eat, crawl, flutter, feast, fight and court among each other in an ongoing explosion of energy and movement.

Starting May 16! A Deliciously Festive Culinary Experience!

We’ve prepared a scrumptious adventure for you. Be our guest and grab a seat at the table! Banquet is a hearty, multisensory, interactive experience around a topic that everyone loves: food!

Start in the kitchen and move into the dining room for a journey where you’ll roll some dough, try daring taste combinations, and explore flavours and aromas.

An unmissable and enriching educational experience. After all, science is what spices up the culinary arts!

A UNIQUE VR EXPEDITION TO DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF EGYPT

Explore the Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid of Giza as if you were really there.

Soak in the fresh air, romance and botanical knowledge in this beautiful garden.

Located on the ground floor of Palais des congrès de Montréal in a 2,200 m2 space, OASIS immersion™ presents a walkable museum contact free experience featuring 3 immersive galleries, 2 dazzling light installations and a lounge area with café and boutique. Welcome to Canada’s largest permanent immersive destination.

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal welcomes you to a new season of concerts and performances. Welcome to a rich and exciting musical world.

The AURA Experience immerses you in a captivating visual and musical universe, presented upon one of the most sublime canvases imaginable.

CITÉ MÉMOIRE: BEHIND THE SCENES OF AN IMPORTANT MONTREAL PRODUCTION TO DISCOVER THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY

Located on a ship anchored in the Old Port of Montreal, Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau offers its passengers the healing benefits of a spa while being lulled by the natural movements of the St Lawrence River. With its enchanting ambiance, and Old Montreal as a magical backdrop, this mysterious and innovative floating spa offers all who come aboard privileged access to the river while enjoying the relaxing and energizing properties of the water circuit.

Experience Montréal from the sky and get an entirely new perspective on the city.

***Come enjoy a discount on tickets for the Ferris wheel with our concierge team***

A bevy of unique contemporary spaces along the St. Lawrence River add to Montréal’s long list of outdoor public areas for all to enjoy.

A museum and citizen space dedicated to the voices of yesterday and today, honouring the identities and stories that define Montréal.V

ARcade by Moment Factory gaming experience: a fusion of multimedia and video game technology in two play areas that pits teams against each other in six interactive games. Each game combines motion-detection, projection technologies and videogame mechanics.