Hooray for the holidays

Throughout the city this December, enjoy winter holiday activities like Santa Claus Parade and the plenitude of Christmas markets, including the Montréal Christmas Village and The Great Christmas Market outdoors at Quartier des Spectacles. Take in Santa’s Kingdom and the holiday show at Complexe Desjardins, then go ice skating at the nearby Esplanade Tranquille skating rink. You can rent skates or bring your own, learn a few moves from instructors, and on DJ nights go “dancing” on the ice! Also try to catch the free Oiseau d’hiver performances, featuring short dances on the theme of birds by some 15 international skaters, presented until December 10.

Experience brand new playful illuminated artwork and activities at Luminothérapie along Sainte-Catherine Street, in Place des Festivals and projected on building facades in the Quartiers des spectacles. Enchanted Worlds is an unmissable Christmas classic — the mechanized holiday window displays that enchanted kids for decades are now preserved and free to see both outside and inside the McCord Stewart Museum. Downtown’s Eaton Centre and Place Montréal Trust also transform in December, with gourmet surprises, a cappella choirs, a carousel ride, art workshops and more. And Christmas in the Park brings music, hot beverages and Christmas cheer to Place Émilie-Gamelin downtown and in Parc des Compagnons and Parc Lahaie in the Plateau.

Avenue Mont-Royal glitters this month too with the return of free holiday concerts and family activities along the avenue. In Rosemont, visit Santa in his winter cabin and sip free hot chocolate and cider around a massive Christmas tree at Le Chalet du Père Noël sur la Promenade Masson (with a chance to win prizes!).  Little Italy celebrates with holiday activities and artistically decorated Christmas trees. Walk around Côte-des-Neiges to see lighting installations, enchanted trees, a tour of local merchants and more, while in Old Montréal you can enjoy a Victorian Christmas at the historical house of Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier, from December 2 to 17. In lieu of a Christmas card, make memories with your family with a quick photoshoot in the picturesque backyard set of Maison Pépin.

On December 16 and 17, discover all the pleasures of the holiday season at the Christmas Village on Laurier Avenue West. Hot chocolate, marshmallows Hot chocolate, marshmallows, Santa Claus himself, DJ sets, prizes and more!

Holiday shopping

Start checking off everyone on your list with our Montréal gift guide! The holiday markets are also fantastic for one-of-a-kind and locally made items, from home decor and art to jewellery and toys. Don’t miss Salon des métiers d’art at Palais des Congrès from December 7 to 17, packed to the gills with top-notch artisans. Other musts include the fashion-forward SOUK (until December 3) and Puces Pop (December 8 to 10 and 15 to 17) for chic urban products from local designers.

Shops for gifts-to-self as well as others (everyone needs new winter wardrobe staples and dinner-party glam!) in Old Montréal’s boutiques, downtown along Sainte-Catherine Street and in the underground city malls — discover the latest styles at Montréal Eaton Center and Place Montréal Trust, including Uniqlo, Nike, Aritza, Decathlon and many more boutiques (and remember to ask for a VIP Visitor Card at Guest Services for exclusive discounts only for tourists).

Keep your eye out for items made by Montréal designers and relaxing self-care staples and plenty of sparkly goods from the coolest Montréal jewellery stores. Shop local and eco-friendly at the most fabulous vintage boutiques in the city. Pick out the perfect new books for friends and family from Montréal’s bookstores, and dive into a wide world of music at Montréal’s excellent vinyl stores.

Running enthusiasts will enjoy espace | MTL - ciele athletics flagship store, a multi-use space and boutique that specializes in Ciele Athletics running equipment. 

Seasonal food and drink

Indulge in incredible food at Montréal’s variety of restaurants this holiday season. Dozens of restaurants create special holiday menus and decorate for the season, so there’s no shortage of places to eat during the holidays in Montréal, from steaks and lobster to incredible Chinese food. 

On December 1, don’t miss the 7^th edition of the Montréal Raclette Party, a cheesy event in the best kind of way that attracts 5,000 lovers of the après-ski classic featuring traditional raclette cheese melted in a wood fire.

Miracle Montréal serves up holiday magic and Christmas-themed cocktails in a fabulously decorated bar on Fleury Street, from November 15 to December 26. Riverside St-Henri becomes Hiverside in winter, with an ice palace cocktail bar that’ll you’re your cockles. Starting on December 1, enjoy a meal aboard a moored boat courtesy of Bateau-Mouche Montréal, for a unique waterfront view from Quai de l’Horloge.

Explore superb restaurants and cafés along Beaubien Street in the Rosemont-La-Petit-Patrie neighbourhood (also where you’ll find Little Italy). And enjoy dinner and a show at restaurant-cabaret Le Balcon’s Celebration holiday party concert series.

Discover Montréal’s newest restaurants and buvettes, and don’t miss a classic Montréal brunch, whether you’re looking for elegance or comfort food. From some crowdsourced favourites, try Montréalers’ favourite lunch restaurants, from Old Montréal and downtown to Villeray or the South-West. Get a taste of long-time Quebec classics like smoked meat, poutine and Montréal bagels and keep on ticking the boxes on your must-eat list with these other musts for foodies in Montréal.

Get an incredible bird’s eye view on Place des Festivals from within the clear bubbles on the terrasse of Bivouac, where you can taste the best of the terroir. Stop for a bite with a view at Muze lounge & terrace in Hôtel HONEYROSE downtown, or eat well at globally inspired Azalea restaurant and seafood specialists Maestro SVP in the Plateau.

The holidays are also an excellent time to have dinner and see a show at the Casino de Montréal, all decked out for the season: live music and cabaret shows will entertain while you enjoy incredible seafood and more on the grill at Le Montréal, a gourmet buffet at Pavillon 67, and quick delicious eats at L’Instant.

Downtown, explore the wide variety of excellent meals at gourmet food halls  including Time Out Market, Marché Artisans, Le Cathcart and Le Central. Get your caffeine fix at Montréal’s indie coffee shops — and fresh-baked doughnuts to go with it! Add more sweetness to your life (and find stocking stuffers) at Montréal's best bakeries and pastry shops, best chocolate shops and candy shops.

Eat plant-based with our ultimate guide to vegan eating in Montréal or join the debate over who makes the best pizza in Montréal — or the best tacos. Warm up with authentic Japanese ramen and Vietnamese pho. By night, discover the city’s 30 top cocktail bars, inventive Montréal microbreweries and late-night eats. Or mix Montréalesque cocktails at home with gin, vodka, rum and more specialty spirits from these Montréal specialty alcohol and spirit makers — great gift ideas too for the amateur mixologists on your list.

In Old Montréal, walk the cobblestone streets to the St. Lawrence River and visit the seasonally illuminated square outside Notre-Dame Basilica — inside, see the gorgeous multimedia Aura Experience, a wonderful way to feel the grandeur of this landmark.

In the Old Port of Montréal, you can see incredible city and river views from the great Grande Roue de Montréal observation wheel, with its cozy heated cabins, or go for a wild 1,200-metre ride over the boardwalk on the MTL Zip Line before it closes for winter at the end of the month.

Stroll around the illuminated shopping mecca of Ste-Catherine Street and make a detour to see Claude Cormier et Associés’s massive The Ring installation aglow at Esplanade Place Ville Marie downtown.

One of the best ways to discover the city is with expert guides on Montréal tours: in winter, you can dress warm and set your own agenda with private walking tours at your own pace. See the city like a local with MTL Detours, take a day trip outside the city with N-Tours, or take yourself on self-guided audio tours thanks to TourBird.

If you’re wondering why Montréal has so many colourful murals, hear more about them and their artists on a street art tour with Spade & Palacio, including new murals from this year’s Mural Festival and others, like the new mural tribute to artist Françoise Sullivan at 1281 rue Saint-Christophe.

Winter sports & relaxation

As the snow falls, visit Montréal's parks for a natural winter wonderland experience. At the Space for Life museums, stroll the Montréal Botanical Garden grounds and sprawling tropical greenhouse, experience several wild ecosystems at the Biodôme (there are penguins, otters, monkeys and more), explore the mysteries of the universe at the Planétarium, and learn about the thousands of butterflies, moths and other insects at the newly renovated Insectarium. Visit the Space for Life gift shops too — they’re full of unique gifts for the holidays!

The West Island’s Ecomuseum Zoo is a wonderful place to glimpse local wildlife in their natural outdoor habitats and even have breakfast with some of them throughout December.

For some fresh air sports time, take the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal down to the Old Port of Montréal ice skating rink, where you can rent skates and glide next to the St. Lawrence River under twinkling lights. There are more great ice skating options in city parks throughout the city, and even indoors at Atrium Le 1000 downtown, decorated for the season and playing holiday tunes.

Among the many free things to do this winter, see incredible city views of the city from Mount Royal Park: bundle up for a walk through the park and up the stairs to the lookout or bus or drive up to Beaver Lake. Stroll around Parc La Fontaine, go to St-Michel’s Parc Frédéric-Back, or cross the river to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a riverside walk and a different view of the city. While there visit the Space for Life Biosphère too for environment-focused exhibitions, the interactive Ecolab and more. And on snowy days, head to the parks for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more outdoor winter activities.

Meanwhile, in pro sports: cheer on the Montréal Canadiens at home at the Bell Centre as they play the Detroit Red Wings on December 2, Seattle Kraken on December 4, LA Kings on December 7, Nashville Predators on December 10, Pittsburgh Penguins on December 13 and New York Islanders on December 16. If you’re not at the game, watch hockey, football, basketball, fight nights and other sports at Montréal’s sports bars.

For ultimate relaxation after a day of winter sports (or just cuz you deserve it!), visit Bota Bota, spa sur l’eau on the St. Lawrence River in the Old Port and other world-class spas like Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal, Avie Spa & Coiffure, Rainspa and Strøm Nordic Spa.

December exhibitions

One of the coolest art and culture experiences to check out this winter is the second edition of Af-flux - Black Transitional Biennial, a black art biennale running until December 22 at Art Mûr.

Among the Montréal museum exhibitions this season, go to Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex in Old Montréal to learn about why Montréal’s river-based location was so important in St. Lawrence River, Echoes from the Shores, among other exhibitions on show. Not far, just by the Grand Quay du Port de Montréal, you’ll find a photo exhibition titled Lieu phare de l’histoire canadienne, about the importance of the port in Canadian history. You’ll also be near the kid-friendly Montréal Science Centre, where you can explore interactive exhibitions that investigate the scientific world.

The McCord Stewart Museum bridges past and present in its exhibitions, while Ogilvy’s iconic Christmas window displays will be back in the Museum’s theatre and outside on Sherbrooke Street from Saturday, November 25, to Sunday, January 7, 2024. Interior exhibitions include Wampum: Beads Of Diplomacy, featuring over 40 wampum belts that have traded hands for over two centuries, and Becoming Montreal: The 1800s Painted by Duncan, artist James Duncan’s documentation of the city’s development from 1830 to 1880 alongside artist Iregular’s AI-powered digital reinterpretation of the paintings. Visit the museum to check out their full Holiday events, including the Ogilvy...

Visit MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises, a cutting-edge museum dedicated to the voices of Montrealers presiding over the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sainte-Catherine Street. At the Canadian Centre for Architecture, catch the last days of Visibly Iroquoian, an installation by interdisciplinary performing artist Ange Loft, which ends this month. Luckily The Lives of Documents — Photography as Project will remain in the Main galleries until well into 2024.

Travel back in time as you tour the rooms of Château Ramezay and visit historical site Chateau Dufresne near the Olympic Stadium, currently featuring works by artist Guido Nincheri. The Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal marks the bicentennial of Mount Royal Park’s creator, architect Frederick Law Olmsted with exhibition Our Mountain: Memories of Mount Royal.

Not far from the city, climb aboard railway cars, learn about the history of the railroad and explore miniature railways at the Exporail the Canadian Railway Museum. At the Museum of Jewish Montréal enjoy Back River, a multimedia exhibition by Montréal-based artist Sonia Bazar that reveals the history and legacy of Ahuntsic’s Back River Cemetery — one of the city’s oldest Jewish cemeteries that has been largely forgotten.

Explore the Afromuseum, representing the contributions of Afro-Canadians to the cultural landscape of Canada. Discover the vivid history and present of Québec ceramics at the Musée des métiers d’arts du Québec. And for another slice of Québec history, visit Montréal’s stunning churches and sacred sites.

At the Phi Centre, Love, Sex and Data is an immersive exhibition that explores the connections between sexuality and technology continues throughout the month.

Onstage in December

Montréal’s cultural calendar is packed this season, with entertainment for everyone on the city’s many stages. Among the holiday performances, see the glorious Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal production of The Nutcracker from December 14 to 30 at Place des Arts.

World-class theatre, dance, opera, circus and more grace the city’s stages throughout December, including the last day of the circus show White Gold by Cambodian troupe Phare Circus, presented at La TOHU until December 1. Speaking of circus, you won’t want to miss the extraordinary Crystal by Cirque du Soleil, at Bell Centre from December 21 to 31 — think circus meets the Ice Capades.

Comedian Chelsea Handler takes over Salle Wilfried-Pelletier with her show Little Big Bitch on December 6 and 7. For an eyeful of holiday glitter, head to Le National, where Drag Race superstar Alaska brings her winter cheer: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Alaska… a Christmas Show is on December 12.

Among the shows in Montréal’s vibrant English theatre scene, catch Boy Falls from the Sky at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts until December 10, when Jake Epstein bares his soul through story and song. At Centaur Theatre you can see the Infinithéâtre production Extra/Beautiful/U, a play that questions the quest for beauty in identity,  on until December 9.

In contemporary dance, Danse Danse presents Assembly Hall, a new Kidd Pivot production by choreographer Crystal Pite and playwright Jonathon Young, on until December 2.

Montréal, arts interculturels celebrates its 25th season this year — catch the last days of Creatrix, a theatrical dance duet between Mona El Husseini and her mother, Hala Farahat, until December 2. A Royal Opera of Madrid production, Authentic Flamenco headlines the Rialto Theatre until December 2 as well.

In the spirit of the season, Montréal burlesque legend Velma Candyass continues her Candyass Cabaret residency at the iconic Café Cléopatre with her Christmas show on December 15.

Onscreen in December

Experience family-friendly cinematic shows on the domed screens of the Planétarium, including Starmap to the Unseen Universe, Celestial Chronicles, Worlds Beyond Earth and more for all ages. The Montréal Science Centre’s IMAX cinema puts nature on the giant screen in all its glory — this month see the incredible Animal Kingdom 3D: A Tale of Six Families and Into Nature’s Wild 3D.

See independent features, family films, documentaries and more at Montréal’s indie cinemas including Cinéma Moderne, Cinéma du Parc (including late-night cult classics at Parc at Midnight screenings), Cinéma du Musée at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, and the iconic Cinémathèque québécoise in the Quartier des spectacles.

Explore the city through cinema in these Hollywood movies made in Montréal. And see the art world in a whole new light thanks to the International Festival of Films on Art year-round ART FILM program.

Holiday concerts

Holiday concerts and theatrical events return in abundance this year. Two Grammy Award winners lead the way: maestro Kent Nagano joins forces with Fred Pellerin and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal to perform a brand-new Christmas tale titled Le secret de Polichignon, presented at the Maison symphonique de Montréal from December 14 to 17; and maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Handel’s Messiah performed by the Orchestre Métropolitain at Notre-Dame Basilica on December 19 and 20. If you’re a fan of Handel’s Messiah, you’re in luck: The Orchestre Classique de Montréal will also be performing the piece in the crypt of Saint Joseph’s Oratory on December 13 and 14.

Another seasonal must by the Orchestre Métropolitain: their Holiday Melodies on December 9 and 10 at the Maison symphonique de Montréal features Montreal jazz and soul legends Ranee Lee, Kim Richardson and Dawn Tyler Watson. For some operatic pop, the trio LYRICO headline the Maison symphonique for their holiday concert A Very Operatic Christmas accompanied by the FILMharmonic Orchestra & Choir on December 21.

Bourgie Hall presents their annually beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring the Taurey Butler Trio on December 20 and 21. Other holiday shows at Bourgie Hall include The Nutcracker on Two Pianos on December 10, the world-renowned British vocal quartet Gothic Voices singing in Medieval Christmas on December 14, and the Arion Baroque Orchestra in Christmas in Paris on December 17.

Church of St. Andrew and St.Paul present their hugely popular Carols by Candlelight concerts on December 15 and 16. Gospel fans won’t want to miss NOËL GOSPEL, featuring more than 70 singers backed by a live band at Salle Pierre-Mercure, December 9 and 10. The Lyric Theatre Singers presents Candlelight Christmas 2023 at Concordia University’s Loyola Chapel for four concerts featuring 46 vocalists performing a timeless holiday repertoire, from December 7 to 10. 

The annual Andy Kim Christmas concert returns to the Beanfield Theatre on December 9, with all proceeds donated to Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada. Rufus and Martha Wainwright’s Christmas show has been a family tradition since 2005 — they present A Not So Silent Night at L’Olympia on December 2, with special guests including Anna McGarrigle, Robert Charlebois and Ariane Moffatt. At La Tulipe, catch a very ABBA holiday special with SOS — The ABBA Experience on December 16.

On December 12 you can catch Noël avec Joe Bocan at Salle Claude-Léveillée, where you’ll also find David Marino Christmas — songs by the Montréal crooner — on December 22. Parapapam at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier presents stars Patrick Bruel, Mario Pelchat, Vladimir Kornéev and soprano Marie-Josée Lord accompanied by the FILMharmonic Orchestra & Choir for five concerts, from December 8 to 10.

The Maison des marins de Montréal and the Foyer Maritime are delighted to present Un Noël Chantant avec Schubert, performed by Les Chanteurs de Lorraine and their musical ensemble. The festive evening will take place on December 4 at the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours.

More live music in December

The 17th edition of the classical music Montréal Bach Festival continues until December 3 at the Maison symphonique de Montréal. But if you’re more into pop, you’re in luck: the Jonas Brothers are playing the Bell Centre on December 1. That’s only the tip of the iceberg in this live-music loving city!

You’ll find all sorts of fun music shows at MTELUS, including Karkwa on December 1, 2 and 9, Bones on December 3, The Glorious Sons on December 12, Halfmoon Run on December 13 and 14, and Majid Jordan on December 15. At the nearby Club Soda you’ll find shows by The Flatliners on December 8 and a heavy hitting Drop in Bass night on December 16. Prepare to dance.

At Théâtre Fairmount in Mile End, Imminence is playing on December 1, Viken Arman on December 2, Bar Italian (with opener Whitney K.) on December 6, Velours Velours on December 7, Eli Brown on December 9, a special Under the Stars night on December 16, and an emo night to remember later that same night. Turbo Haüs has fun shows in December, including many open mic nights and the popular Growve jam nights. You won’t want to miss the Teen Angst Cover Night at The Diving Bell Social Club on December 9, a karaoke night like you’ve never seen.

At Beanfield Theatre, you can catch Busty and the Brass on December 8 and Allan Rayman on December 14, among other shows. On December 1, see Nation of Language at Le Studio TD, where you can also catch Ray Volpe on December 16 and 17. Tim Baker plays Le Gésu on December 12, and local rockstar Pierre Lapointe takes over Théâtre Desjardins on December 8.

Over at Le Ministère, go all-out with your costume for the Bal Masqué Fierté Trans Pride on December 2, a costume ball with bumping beats courtesy of DJ Thatz, DJ Poptrt and live band Mykonova. On December 8, Noche Luminosa will bring the heat with salsa and cumbia music. See what else they have in store for the month here.

Indie venues Casa del Popolo and Sala Rossa have chock-a-block full December programs featuring both local and visiting bands, which you can find here. Look here for the many live events at hole-in-the-wall Barfly. Same for Bar Le Ritz PDB, where there’s a show nearly every night. Follow L’Escogriffe on Facebook to stay on top of all their upcoming shows. L’Hémisphère Gauche, up in Little Italy, is packed with music lovers for their nightly shows, as is Quai des Brumes on the Plateau — it never has a night off.