Did you miss the Christmas parade on November 22nd? If you did, fear not – there are still many whimsical Christmas and winter events for you to attend in Montreal! Although the annual Christmas parade is a staple, gathering people of all ages to watch Santa and other festive characters such as the elves and the Grinch walk down the streets of Montreal, the parade is only the first event of the season with many more to come.
Not only is Montreal a vibrant cultural city, which means that there’s always a function to attend, but its frosty location makes it the perfect landscape for an urban winter wonderland.
Here are a few things to do in the next few weeks to bring the christmas magic back into our busy lives:
Christmas Markets:
The winter season in Montreal wouldn’t be the same without a trip to the Christmas market. Whether you go to The Great Montreal Christmas Market near Place des Arts, or the Christmas Village near the Atwater market, make sure to check out the artisan and food stands. It’s the perfect occasion to do some early Christmas shopping and support local artisans, or simply take a study break and sip on some hot chocolate.
Christmas Bars:
Speaking of sipping on a hot drink, checking out the Christmas bars that Montreal has to offer is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and unwind after a long week. Until January 11th, Le Petit Dep on St Laurent Blvd, is turned into La Taverne du Père Noël (Santa Claus’ Tavern) and offers various Christmas cocktails and snacks, as well as a beautifully cozy decorated venue, straight out of a Hallmark movie. Another bar, Miracle Montreal, found in the Old Port, also offers Christmas themed drinks, which are served in funky themed mugs. The lively bar is perfect to bring out your ugly sweater and enjoy a fun evening with friends.
If one were to describe the two bars using Christmas movies, La Taverne du Père Noël gives the same classic and comforting vibe as Love Actually or Miracle on 34th Street, and Miracle Montreal offers a fun and original scene, such as the movie Elf or The Grinch.
Light Shows:
If you’re looking for a cheap, spontaneous yet magical activity to partake in this winter season, there are many Christmas light decorations all over the city, perfect for a romantic walk or aesthetic pictures. Philip Square, Dorchester Square and Victoria Square are known to have beautiful Christmas light displays. Old Montreal also has magical decorations and light displays especially at La Place Jacques-Cartier. Another pop up worth checking out is the LUMINO display with over 30 light installations spread across downtown Montreal. Although it isn’t Christmas themed, it’s still a fun winter activity to experience. On the fancier side, the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal offers the AURA Experience, a whimsical light show inside of one of Montreal’s most historic venues.
Ice Skating:
Finding the motivation to leave the house during winter is always a challenge, but ice skating is a great way to enjoy the winter weather and get some exercise in. Many parks across the city offer a skating rink, such as Parc LaFontaine or Beaver Lake on Mont Royal, the perfect setting for a calm winter nature outing. Of course, you can always swing by the iconic ice rink in the Quartier des Spectacles –a classic for a reason –offering a lively venue with cool lighting and a DJ on certain evenings.
These are just a few ideas as Montreal has too many activities to offer during this time of year to cover them all! A great way to see all that Montreal has to offer is to simply walk around the city, especially around the Plateau area, Downtown near Ste Catherine,Places des Arts, and of course Old Port for that classic Hallmark feel. You never know what you can stumble upon, whether it’s a cute christmas cafe or a decoration display, the city is full of whimsical seasonal surprises!
