Holidays 2024: cultural activities for the whole family
During the Holidays and at Christmas, Montréal is all aglow with festive fun and an array of magical cultural activities for the whole family. With the holiday season fast approaching, here are some suggestions for inspiring experiences that will dazzle everyone in your crew, from teens to wee ones.
DOWNTOWN
Santa Claus Parade, November 23, 2024
Come see Santa Claus, the Star Fairy, the elves and many other luminous characters as they parade down the streets of downtown Montréal.
Santa's Kingdom, Complexe Desjardins, from November 23 to December 24, 2024
Santa Claus welcomes young and old into his world filled with animations, magical shows, and choirs. Don't miss the multimedia show Fontaine Boréale, presented every hour, every day, between 4 PM and 11 PM. Also, celebrate the return of the carousel and the little train that the little ones love.
Holidays at the Museum, McCord Stewart Museum, from November 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025
A must-see holiday favourite, Ogilvy's mechanical Christmas window displays invite you to relive the magic of The Enchanted Village inside the museum and The Mill in the Forest, outside on Victoria Street. Creative workshops, free interactive guided visits, storytelling and lots of surprises await. Additionally, on Saturday, November 30, put on your prettiest pajamas and head to the Museum from 10 AM for a series of free activities that will officially launch the festivities.
You + Me, Museum of Fine Arts, until January 26, 2025
During your visit to the Museum, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., create two watercolor images with your family that will then be combined using the thaumatrope technique. A special schedule is arranged from December 24, 2024, to January 6, 2025, including Tuesday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Thursday (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.), and Friday to Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Lumino, Quartier des spectacles, November 28 to March 9, 2025
This winter, explore the vibrant 15th edition of Lumino, Montréal’s must-see winter event. Embark on this open-air journey to discover nearly twenty interactive, contemplative, and luminous creations ranging from video projections and installations to diverse artistic performances. While you’re there, cross off all the gifts on your list at the Great Christmas Market in the Place des Festivals from November 22 to December 30, 2024.
The Little Prince at the symphony – November 17, 2024, Maison symphonique
The Little Prince joins the Orchestre Métropolitain for an enchanting performance where his words and adventures resonate even more to the superb music of Éric Champagne. A new dimension to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s philosophical tale.
Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas in Concert – November 30, 2024, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
A treat for the whole family! The FILMharmonic Orchestra embarks on another adventure with Tim Burton’s stop-motion masterpiece, scored by the legendary Danny Elfman. For children aged 6 years and over.
The Nutcracker, Salle Pierre-Mercure at Centre Pierre-Péladeau, December 7 and 8, 2024
Ballet Ouest de Montréal's Nutcracker continues to captivate audiences with a magical show featuring over 90 children and 30 professional artists. The big plus? Brilliant use of digital imagery to follow Clara on her magical journey through snowland and the kingdom of sweets. Please note that one of the performances on December 8th will be held in the morning and will feature a slightly shortened version with adjusted lighting. After the show, there will be an opportunity for young children to meet the dancers and learn about the world of ballet.
Candlelight Christmas 2024, Loyola Chapel, Concordia University, December 12-15, 2024
Come listen to the 47 singers of the Lyric Theatre Singers perform a varied selection of Christmas music from around the world.
LÀ-BAS, Maison Théâtre, December 11, 2024 to January 5, 2025
This enchanting wordless clown performance celebrates solidarity and brotherly friendship. It’s a heartwarming and playful show where humour blends seamlessly with acrobatics and poetry, captivating young audiences. For children aged 4 to 10.
The Nutcracker, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, December 12 to 30, 2024
Every year since 1964, Les Grands Ballets has brightened our holiday season with this magical family tradition for the young and the young at heart. Created by choreographer Fernand Nault, the Nutcracker is beautifully danced to Tchaikovsky’s score, which is performed by the Grands Ballets orchestra. An enchanting can’t-miss experience!
Décembre signé Québec Issime, Salle Pierre-Mercure at the Centre Pierre-Péladeau, from December 12 to 29, 2024
Acclaimed for over 20 years, the grand musical fresco of the holiday season is back with a brand new set. Experience the enchantment with your family in a show of 60 songs performed by 24 artists and choreographies more extravagant than ever.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Bourgie Hall at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, December 18 and 19, 2024
A jazz concert that presents songs from the popular A Charlie Brown Christmas album, performed by the Taurey Butler Trio.
OVO, Bell Centre, December 27, 2024 to January 5, 2025
OVO, a Cirque du Soleil spectacular, offers a thrilling experience to infuse your holidays with awe and wonder! Inspired by the world of insects, the show follows the love story of a magnificent ladybug and an unusual insect.
Nicolas Noël – Le cristal du temps, Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, December 27 and 28, 2024
Accompanied onstage by elves Trémaline and Pamalin, Père Nicolas Noël regales us with tales and song at this crowd-pleasing performance. A wonderful opportunity for the whole family to dance, sing and laugh together!
OLD MONTRÉAL AND THE OLD PORT
Holidays on the Pointe, inside and outside the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, 350 Place Royale, from December 26, 2024, to January 3, 2025
For the holiday season, the museum transforms into a magical and mystical place inspired by the exhibition Witches: Put of the Shadows. Between the free Christmas show Who is the Real Santa Claus? and creative workshops related to the current exhibition, the whole family will be delighted to create and have fun in a magical setting filled with sparkling trees, wooden cabins, and welcoming benches.
Around the fireplace... Holiday Traditions, Château Ramezay, dates to be announced
The Château Ramezay is adorned with sparkling decorations and offers a festive program on the origins of holiday traditions. Additionally, give your children the opportunity to hang a Christmas stocking on one of the Château's fireplaces, and come back to retrieve it after New Year's Day. A surprise from Santa Claus might be inside.
Les Choralies, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, from December 7 to 22, 2024
Montréal choirs perform Christmas songs from yesteryear and today for free every Saturday and Sunday during the month of December.
MOUNT ROYAL, OUTREMONT AND WESTMOUNT
La Fée des neiges, Côte-des-Neiges/Lacombe Stop, from November 29 to December 7, 2024
For two weekends, Côte-des-Neiges lights up with a holiday mini-village. On the menu: a sugar shack, a Christmas quartet, a visit from Santa Claus, story readings, and many other surprises!
GLOB, Théâtre Outremont, November 29, 2024
In this enchanting show filled with surprises, circus whimsy, and magical moments, two quirky, fluffy, ageless characters take their time to savour every moment. Suitable for ages 6 and up.
Dear Criminals, Théâtre Outremont, December 7, 2024
This afternoon concert that lasts 60 minutes, is part of the Concerts pour toutes les oreilles program, designed to create musical experiences for the whole family. This performance offers a wonderful opportunity to listen to the Montréal band, Dear Criminals.
Les illusionnistes, Théâtre Outremont, December 27 and 28, 2024
Set during the holiday season, this "Magical" performance immerses the audience in the world of silent film and the joyful visual style of the Roaring Twenties and magic shows. Suitable for ages 7 and up.
Christmas Concert at the Oratory, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, December 13, 2024
Each year, this festive holiday concert brings the story of the Nativity alive through traditional songs, old French hymns and Christmas songs from around the world.
LITTLE ITALY, ROSEMONT AND VILLERAY
Pain d’épice, L’Illusion Théâtre de marionnettes, November 26 to December 15, 2024
At the heart of a space dedicated to creating and showcasing the art of puppetry, discover a show that is inspired by the timeless tale of The Gingerbread Man. A story full of sugar and spice about a cookie that comes to life for kids ages 3 to 6. In French.
HA HA HA, TOHU, from December 18, 2024, to January 5, 2025
Powered by OKIDOK, this show features two funny characters with red noses, both comedic and top-notch acrobats. A clownish duo, at the border of Tex Avery cartoons and object theater, to be discovered with children from 5 years old.
PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL AND MILE END
My Beautiful Christmas Tree, Place des Fleurs-de-Macadam, December 7, 2024
Avenue du Mont-Royal launches its first edition of My Beautiful Christmas Tree. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., discover fantastic characters, choirs, DJs, and the installation of a twelve-foot wooden tree designed by designer Juliette Sarrazin. In exchange for a donation of food or money, everyone can choose an ornament from the tree for their own tree at home. Light will shine from inside the tree as the ornaments are removed. Magic guaranteed!
Holiday Workshops at the Musée des Hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, December 7 and 14, 2024
Create your Christmas ornament with your family, inspired by the quilling technique where you will learn to roll and fold paper like the nuns.
Christmas themed workshop, Livart, December 22, 2024
For one morning, children can put on their best pyjamas and enjoy a reading of a themed story, a creative activity with an animator and group games punctuated by a distribution of candy canes.
IN MONTRÉAL
Christmas in the park, December 6 to 31, 2024
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the festival is offering a new site at the Parterre du Quartier des spectacles, in addition to its usual location on Avenue du Mont-Royal, at Parc des Compagnons. Discover a wonderful program of free outdoor concerts, dance, bonfires, tree sales, poetry, animations, and more.
These magical musical experiences in beautiful candlelit venues offer you this year A Christmas with Charlie Brown at the 9e, on December 21, 2024, and a Holiday Special: The Nutcracker and others at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, on December 17 and 18, 2024. A magical atmosphere awaits you.
NEARBY- SAINT CONSTANT
Railway Christmas, Exporail / The Canadian Railway Museum, November 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025
This family event on the South Shore invites you inside the Grand Gallery, which will be adorned in twinkling lights. The program features special activities, a visit from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves the chance to admire a train decked out in holiday finery.
Here are more ideas from our 2024 holiday guides:
Montréal’s best holiday markets for 2024
Montréal glows in lights this holiday season
Your guide to New Year's Eve in Montréal
Winter holiday activities for all in Montréal
Holiday season cultural activities in Montréal
Where to eat in Montréal during the holidays
Jingle Bells! Celebrating the holidays in Montréal
Where to find original Montréal advent calendars
Original article in French by Laure Juilliard, adapted into English by Dawn Bessey-Gans.
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.