Holidays 2024: cultural activities for the whole family

Leisure activities Winter Culture, arts and heritage
Univers enchantés
Laure Juilliard

Laure Juilliard

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.

Défilé du Père Noël

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. 

Holidays at the MuseumMcCord Stewart Museum, 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.  

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.

Lumino, Quartier des spectacles, dates to be announced
Explore the 15th edition of Lumino. While you’re there, be sure to stock up on local gifts at The Great Christmas Market at Place des Festivals from November 22 to December 30, 2024.

Casse-Noisette - Les Grands Ballets Canadiens

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.

LÀ-BASMaison Théâtre, December 11, 2024 to January 5, 2025 
This silent clown performance showcases solidarity and brotherly friendship: a delightful and whimsical show where humour blends with acrobatics and poetry. Ideal 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!

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!

Château Ramezay - Autour du foyer… Traditions du temps des Fêtes!

OLD MONTRÉAL AND THE OLD PORT

Holidays on the Pointe, inside and outside the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, 350 Place Royale, dates to be announced

Between the free Christmas show and creative workshops inspired by current exhibitions, the whole family will love the creativity and fun of this fairyland setting of glittering Christmas trees, wood huts and cozy benches.  

Around the fireplace... Holiday Traditions, Château Ramezay, dates to be announced
The Château Ramezay gets decked out in dazzling decorations and features a festive program on the origins of holiday traditions. Treat your kids to the chance to hang a Christmas stocking at one of the Château’s fireplaces and pick it up on New Year’s Day. You might just find a surprise from Santa in it!

Les Choralies, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, dates to be announced
Montréal choirs perform Christmas songs from yesteryear and today for free every Saturday and Sunday during the month of December.

L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal

MOUNT ROYAL, OUTREMONT AND WESTMOUNT

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 
Right in the middle of the holidays, this “Magical" performance immerses the audience in the aesthetics of silent cinema and the vibrant visuals of the Roaring Twenties, alongside the world of 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.

Casteliers - Marionnettes en vitrines, 2023

LITTLE ITALY, ROSEMONT AND VILLERAY

Pain d’épiceL’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.

Noël sur l'Avenue

PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL AND MILE END

Noël sur l'Avenue, dates to be announced
Each weekend in December, Mont-Royal Avenue transforms into a beautiful Christmas village with choirs and concerts that will put you and your family into the holiday spirit.

Noël dans le parc

IN MONTRÉAL

Christmas in the park, December 6 to 31, 2024

Discover three Montréal neighbourhoods, a free program of outdoor concerts, dancing, bonfires, poetry, entertainment and more. 

Exporail au cinéma

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.

Original article in French by Laure Juilliard, adapted into English by Dawn Bessey-Gans. 

Laure Juilliard

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.

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