Things to do in Montreal: December 19-January 8

Aaaah, finally, the holidays. Whether you’re celebrating your time off with friends or taking quality time with the family, Montreal’s got all the activities you could dream of. The next two weeks hold untold treasures, from last-minute Christmas fun to shows, outdoor adventures and a New Year’s Eve you wouldn’t believe…

(xmas rush) If you’ve worked until the last minute and haven’t had a chance to shop, first check out this shopping guide, then catch the last day of the one-stop-shopping extravaganza, Salon des Métiers d’Art de Montréal, continuing until December 21. Nothing says “Quebec Christmas” like a bûche de noël, or yule log – but not all bûches are created equal. Find the city’s very best here. If you’ve not of a Christian persuasion, or prefer to celebrate the holidays a different way, a classic Xmas day activity is to grab a feast at a Chinese restaurant, most of which remain open throughout the break. Start your quest by checking out our list for the city’s top five noodle dishes.

(fresh air) Sports fans, skate on by to our winter sports guide. Outdoor skating is one of the city’s most pleasant winter treats, and some favourite skating rinks include Parc La Fontaine, Parc Jarry and Parc St-Viateur – but the most striking might be the Old Port’s rink, especially during the festive Merry Montreal, until January 4. Over at Quartier des Spectacles, Luminothérapie lights up downtown like an outsize kaleidoscope thanks to 50 pivoting prisms, as well as video works projected all around the neighbourhood. The Olympic Park offers tons o’ fun with a full-on Winter Village, including skating rink, roaring fire (marshmallows, too), and performances by bands and storytellers. In the Old Port, end the evening with Telus Fire on Ice, a free fireworks presentation on at 8 pm on Saturdays December 19 and 27, as well as January 3. Get a temperate outdoor foodie experience at the SAT Foodlab’s Nordic Terrasse, a yurt warmed up with sheepskin cushions, delicious eats and dreamy cocktails.

(family time) A classic family-friendly Holiday experience awaits at The Nutcracker, by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, on until December 30 at Place des Arts. Acrobatics hit high notes at Tohu, where Attrape-moi until January 3. If you’re a theatrical type, find your bliss with our handy guide to Montreal theatres, for everything from avant-garde to family-friendly. One option is Baobab, a French play for kids aged 3 to 8 at Maison Théâtre about a boy seeking to return water to his village, on until January 3. Espace pour la vie has all sorts of cool winter programming, from the different ecosystems of the Biodôme to the Botanical Garden greenhouses and the creepy crawlies at the Insectarium. There’s also a multimedia show about the nature of time at the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. Follow our holiday guide and our family guide for more ideas! And speaking of family, don’t miss the Wainwright siblings reunion at the Place des Arts, for a good-time musical show from December 21 to 17. Rufus and Martha for the price of one – love it.

(new year fun) Montreal has got a hopping nightlife year-round, but things kick into high gear on New Year’s, when even little neighbourhood pubs do it up and get fancy. Top options include the New Year’s Eve bash at Sala Rossa, where the recurring dance party hosted by The Goods (a magical meeting of minds by DJs Scott C and Andy Williams) goes supersonic thanks to the special guest, DJ Huggs, from L.A. Plan for a hot night of butt-moving beats with old school soul mixing in with contemporary Afro-Latin and hip hop. Another must-do is the feast and fest at La Champagnerie, on St-Paul – it’s the epicenter of bubbly! This year’s special menu involves smoked duck, lobster, crab-crusted beef and a surf turf poutine. Need we say more? Check out our exhaustive list of other New Year’s Eve parties. Here’s to a magnificent 2015!

Photo credits: Eva Blue, Sébastien Roy (SAT fb page),Maison théâtre.

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