Montreal, Quebec is a festive city for families to enjoy year-round. But the winter holiday season makes the city lights sparkle even brighter as the town shares its best family-friendly activities.Whether gathering for stunning performances, glittering displays, or outdoorsy activities, check out these Montreal Christmas events for families. Updated for the 2018 season!
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Photo by: Benoît Durocher
With so much going on downtown, your family will inevitably be drawn to Montreal’s active city center. Be sure to walk through Quartier des Spectacles. Luminothérapie turns this popular summertime festival venue into a wintry spectacle of illuminated interactive artwork from November 29 -January 27, 2019. Looking for an indoor activity? Then take in the classic Christmas concerts, including a Circus Ice Show near Place des Arts. Be sure not to miss the parade and festivities on Mont-Royal Avenue just outside of the city center during Noël sur l’Avenue.
Photo by: Old Montreal’s Extravaganza
Meander through the weekend festivities at Merry Montréal which include theatrical performances and a traditional Christmas Market in charming Old Montreal. Nearby in Old Port, families who brave the cold enjoy the stunning fireworks displays, launched from Bonsecours Island, for a crowd of more than 40,000 during Montreal’s New Year’s Eve bash. Not in the mood to celebrate with the crowds on New Year’s Eve? Then your family can bundle up and enjoy ice skating on the Old Port’s Bonsecours Basin anytime from mid-December through mid-March. Nearby, the Montreal Science Center features a number of interactive exhibitions and offers holiday-themed IMAX shows for families.
Photo by: Micheal Vesia
Olympic Park gets in on the holiday fever with its own Winter Village offering ice-skating, sledding, ice trails, and more. When you need to warm up, go inside the nearby Biodome for a Tropical Adventure, where on December 26, the animals get to celebrate Christmas! The Botanical Gardens also add holiday flair as families are invited to learn about the exotic fruit grown in the greenhouses during the chilly winter season.
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Photo by: Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum
Santa takes over the Stewart Museum on St Helens Island in the middle of the St Lawrence River. It’s a festive and free exhibit! Head just outside town to explore Railway Christmas at ExpoRail. The Canadian Railway Museum, features holiday crafts, storytelling, and writing letters to Santa to be sent from the mail car. All around town, you’re likely to stumble upon beautiful holiday decorations and entertaining activities for the entire family this season!
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Visiting Montreal during another season? Check out these 8 amazing things to do in Montreal with kids year round.
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Have yourself a Merry Holiday in Montréal!