Festivals and Events

The famous boys' choir sings its traditional Christmas concert with organ in the Basilica of Saint Joseph's Oratory on Sunday, December 13, 2026, in the afternoon, with a live projection on a giant screen. Admission is free; voluntary contributions are welcome. Parking at the Oratory costs money.

A festive winter market on the Place Ville Marie esplanade downtown, part of Montreal's Grand Circuit féerique, open from November 17 to December 13, 2026, with holiday kiosks and the Lutinerie for kids. Admission is free; food, drinks and gifts cost money.

Marché Maisonneuve turns festive on November 28 and 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a holiday market on Place Gennevilliers-Laliberté and free family entertainment: an illuminated stilt walking angel, clowns, jugglers, live music and a visit from Santa on Sunday afternoon. The activities are free; market goods cost money.

Jean-Talon Market hosts a holiday market with live music and free family workshops on three weekends, December 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20, 2026 (Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), on the mezzanine and in the second floor Panorama Room. Activities include letter writing workshops with an elf and visits from Santa on Sundays. Food and market goods cost money.

Free outdoor holiday shows presented by the Maison de la culture Maisonneuve: Trio Java sings a cappella Christmas songs on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m., and the family circus show Brrr! by Le Gros Orteil, with a juggling snow shoveler, plays Sunday, December 20, at 10:30 a.m. Entry is free (entrée libre) and no ticket is needed.

Two free outdoor holiday performances in Mercier: Trio Java sings a cappella Christmas songs on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m., and the family circus show Brrr! by Le Gros Orteil plays Sunday, December 20, at 3:00 p.m. Entry is free (entrée libre), no ticket needed.

Soprano Jacqueline Woodley and Les Boréades, led by Francis Colpron, perform 17th and 18th century French Nativity music in Montreal's oldest church on Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., recorded for Radio-Canada's ICI Musique. The concert is free but requires a ticket, released November 17; picking it up in person is free while online booking adds a $2 fee.

Montreal's all night arts party on Saturday, February 27, 2027, with more than a hundred mostly free activities across downtown and beyond: outdoor shows, light art, music, museum openings and late night events, with the metro running late. Entry to the outdoor sites is free; some venues and special events charge admission.

One of North America's oldest St. Patrick's parades marches along De Maisonneuve Boulevard from Fort Street to Jeanne-Mance in downtown Montreal on Sunday, March 14, 2027, starting at noon, with pipe bands, floats and lots of green. Watching from the sidewalk is free.

Pointe-Claire Village kicks off the holidays with its tree lighting celebration on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the municipal lot at Cartier Avenue and Lakeshore Road. It is a drop in community event with no registration. Hot chocolate and treats from local merchants cost money.

The famous animated Christmas windows from the old Ogilvy store come back to life. The outdoor window, The Mill in the Forest, is free for everyone, any time. Inside, The Enchanted Village is free for 17 and under, with a suggested voluntary contribution for adults, plus a seek and find game for families. Runs November 6, 2026 to January 10, 2027.

A big holiday market in the Quartier des spectacles, with dozens of chalets of local artisans and producers, food stalls and daily free shows and music. Admission and entertainment are free; you only pay for what you buy. Runs November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027.