Discover Montreal’s Beautiful Jolly Season With This Classic Holiday Adventure
Montreal knows how to do winter and the holidays right. Otherwise, surviving the brutal cold here can get tough, mentally and emotionally. Picture twinkling lights, the aroma of fresh pastries, Christmas music and the holiday jitters filling the air, all paired with the sound of good ol’ rental Bauer skates scraping the ice.
If you’re looking to soak in the holiday cheer, the Great Christmas Market (Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal) and the Esplanade Tranquille ice rink are the places to be. Let’s cold plunge into why this classic, quintessential Montreal experience should be at the top of your urban adventure bucket list.
The Christmas Market: A Festive Wonderland
From November 22 to December 30, the Great Montreal Christmas Market hosts over 40 chalets with local vendors and artisans. The entire neighbourhood is “dressed up in its finest attire” and the smell of wine, maple taffy and hot brie takes over Sainte-Catherine Street.
If you’re looking for a cozy souvenir or holiday gift, the Market’s vendors have everything from jewelry to gourmet maple and mulled wine products to wool mittens or locally made ornaments. Show up with enough room in your belly too because the culinary offerings are nothing short of divine!
Every Saturday and Sunday starting at 5 p.m., La Lutinerie Troupe’s talented artists take over the grand stage at the market with a 45-minute musical. This story of magic in the Elf Kingdom makes for the perfect family-friendly event to get your little ones in the holiday spirit!
The market is attendto enter and operates Thursdays to Sundays as well as some other exceptional days—Mondays, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30 and on Christmas Eve. You can find the exact schedule and programming for the market on noelmontreal.ca.
Ice Skating: Glide Into the Holiday
The free ice skating rink at Quartier des Spectacles is the crown jewel of this winter wonderland. Bring your own skates or rent a pair on-site for a small fee. The rink is open daily, with evening sessions offering a magical ambiance thanks to twinkling fairy lights and festive tunes.
Feeling rusty on skates? Don’t fret—there are friendly skate aids available to help you keep your balance (and your dignity). Pro tip: Weekdays tend to be less crowded, so it’s perfect for practicing your jumps and spins in peace.
The space is open year-round and offers cultural programming for all ages but the winter is when it shines the most! The free-for-all ice rink with its 1,500-square-metre surface area welcomes up to 400 skaters at once. You will be immersed in an interactive projection called Au bord du lac Tranquille, by Mirari and Normal Studio. There are also other events like the Wednesday musical lunchtime Classical Noon or Disco Fever on Saturday evenings.
Rentals cost $10.50 for children 13 years old and under and $14.95 for adults. A child-size learning aid can also be rented for $5.49 but assistance devices for people with reduced mobility are free to use, depending on availability.
Check out quartierdesspectacles.com for more information on the skating rink’s hours and programming. You might make it in time to find out the answer to Does Santa Claus Skate?
How to Get There
Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, Quartier des Spectacles and Place des Arts are easily accessible by public transport. The Place-des-Arts metro station (Green Line) will drop you right at the epicentre of the festivities. There are also five bus lines—lines 15, 55, 80, 125 and 480— that stop by the market and ice rink.
Thinking of taking the car? There are many parking options nearby but remember that driving around this part of town can be a pain since most streets are one-way or open to pedestrians only. For the eco-conscious, BIXI bike racks are available too—if you’re brave enough to pedal in December!
