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Discover Montreal’s Christmas Market, Parade and More.
It’s time for our annual Christmas and Holiday article — your guide on how to soak up the spirit of the city of Montreal during the holiday season. If you’re in Montreal during the holidays on business staying in our furnished apartments, it can be difficult being away from home. You may miss your family, friends, loved ones and all the little family traditions may begin to mean so much more. This is the time of year when many people like to be with their family. However, sometimes it just isn’t feasible. Don’t worry — we have put together the ultimate guide on how to spend the Christmas and Holiday season in Montreal to help you make the most of your time and keep you busy, engaged and in high spirits!
Christmas Markets and Activities
Parc Des Compagnons’ 2018 Noel dans le Parc is happening right now through December 25 featuring a range of Christmas shops, holiday treats, bonfires, winter BBQs and a huge lineup of free shows. This is located in Montreal’s Plateau-Mile-End borough, one of the most interesting and gorgeous areas in the city.
Le Grande Marché De Montreal is taking place right now at Place Des Arts until December 25. It is one of Montreal’s biggest Christmas markets featuring gift stalls, food and drink, Christmas activities and more. It’s located right in the heart of downtown and best of all, there’s free access on Christmas Eve!
Places Des Arts is also the home of exciting installation art hosted by Quartiers Des Spectacles. This year, Luminothérapie will include the zoetrope interactive installation to discover during a walk around Places Des Arts. Every year Quartier Des Spectacles outdoes themselves with new and innovative ideas. This is something different to experience –so be sure to catch this during your stay in the city.
Complexe Desjardins is also located in the heart of downtown. This year it’s hosting its second annual Fontaine Boréale, an interactive light and water show complete with animation and music. If you need to do some last minute Christmas gift shopping, Complexe Desjardins is connected to the famous underground city, a network of shopping centres. Make this a stop on your list. It’s a spectacle not to be missed!
Montréal en Fêtes’ Le Marché de Noel is a Christmas Market located in the heart of Montreal’s Old Port. It’s happening right now through till January 1 and includes a host of events like holiday film screenings, boutiques, a new year’s party, free activities, beer tastings and more.
Montreal’s Old Port also has the Natrel Skating Rink which is open right now for beautiful holiday-themed outdoor skating. If you don’t have your own skates, you can rent a pair on site. Be sure to check their schedule and rates before you plan your visit!
If you’d like to attend a Christmas Mass there are many churches and cathedrals in Montreal offering a mass service open to the public too. St. Joseph’s Oratory is one of the most popular locations for Christmas Mass in the city, located in the scenic borough of Cotes-Des-Neiges. Make sure to get there early to ensure you get a spot — they are usually pretty busy!
Food Lovers
If you’re looking for a place to have a Christmas Lunch or Dinner, Eater Montreal has created a comprehensive list (along with a map) of what’s open on Christmas for lunch and dinner services. This list covers local restaurants, eateries, and hotels that will be serving Christmas meals. Standouts from the list include Maggie Oaks that will be hosting a 3-course Christmas Brunch for $39, L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel’s Annual Christmas Ball and Dinner (this link is to last year’s event), and Jazz Wine Bar Modavie’s 3-course Christmas Dinner for $50.
Celebrating Hanukkah
Montreal is a multicultural and highly diverse city that celebrates a range of holidays aside from Christmas. One of them includes Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. While Hanukkah is mainly celebrated privately in homes with festive meals, candle lighting and ceremonies, Montreal has a few interesting events for those who will be missing their traditional celebrations back at home.
Hanukkah Events
If you celebrate Hanukkah, the Grand Menorah Lighting Party is taking place on Dec 16 & 17 at Chabad in Old Montreal. There is also a Hanukkah Party happening at the Jewish Public Library on Dec 18. An additional set of events are being hosted by Temple Montreal later in December including a Shabbat Vegetarian Pot-Lakke, Candle Lighting, Movie nights and more.
Montreal Offers a Wide Variety of Activities During Christmas
Montreal offers a wide variety of activities during the special time of Christmas. Sometimes, it’s not easy being away from home during the holidays. EnVille corporate furnished apartments have tried to put together a little list of things for you to do in order to enjoy Montreal to its fullest during your corporate stay.
Mont-Royal Avenue has loads of family events called “Noel sur l’Avenue” starting on December 8thuntil the 31st. From Santa’s elves strolling around on bicycles, choirs singing on the street, decorating Christmas trees, chocolate tastings and many more. You’ll be dazzled by the Montreal Christmas spirit!
You’ll also enjoy Christmas in the Park from December 1st to 30th, in Parc Lahaie on St-Laurent between St-Joseph and Laurier. Take pleasure in live music, street entertainers, great food and amazing decor!
If you like crafts, you’ll also enjoy the Salon des métiers d’Art at Place Bonaventure from December 7th to the 22nd. All sorts of crafts from over 400 artisans will be displayed during this period and you can also buy your Christmas gifts.
Les Féeries du Vieux Montreal will also show wonderful Christmas decorations and illuminations. The Old Port becomes a Christmas village filled with indoor and outdoor activities. The museums, historical sights and churches have concerts while games, choirs and carriage rides will be held outside. There will be fireworks every Saturdays, crèches at the Marché Bonsecours and plenty of things for you to discover.
If you are one of the lucky ones renting a temporary housing in Old Montreal, your stay will be much appreciated if you enjoy the Christmas activities in the Old Port of Montreal.
Finally, Notre-Dame Basillica offers great concerts, “Les Stars chantent Noel” on the 14th and 15th of December.
On top of all these events, you can enjoy a wonderful dinner in one of Montreal’s finest restaurants. Don’t feel guilty – it’s that time of year again!
We hope you get a chance to relax a little and enjoy our city this holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from EnVille!
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