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Montréal en Fêtes / Merry Montreal
Photograph: JF Galipeau

Old Montreal's free winter village of sculptures, lights and a giant igloo opens today

Freeze your butt off in good company while checking out a giant igloo.

JP Karwacki
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JP Karwacki
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Following the drawcard of the Winter Gardens art installation extravaganza found in Quartier des spectacles, Old Montreal's getting its own festive winter setup with the arrival of Place Nordique today at Place Jacques-Cartier: Huge sculputres of a moose and Beluga whale are on display, as well as a giant igloo and Christmas lights.

Running from today until December 27 on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8pm, it's the annual art installation and wintry hangout spot that's a part of Montréal en Fêtes (Merry Montreal), building up to a New Year's Eve party by the Old Port's quays.

In an effort to support local businesses, however, you'll need to pick snacks and drinks (except booze, sorry) from spots outside the space.

This year it's looking moderately different than years past. In order to organize itself around social distancing and sanitization rules, and to comply with the most recent lockdown measures that were announced earlier this week, it'll be a more of a place to explore than sit around in.

When asked about whether or not the organization would go forward with their event following the lockdown to come on December 25, "exterior activities are encouraged," Montréal en Fêtes told Time Out.

The government has said as much anyway, as social gatherings where people statically stand around like kids ditching class isn't allowed right now—even if it's out in the polar vortex hitting the city.

Because of that, Montréal en Fêtes' usual NYE party is going to be happening online on December 31st at 9:30pm, where 15 artists will be playing music and keeping Montrealers company.

The latest from Time Out Montréal

- Montreal's Martha Wainwright is playing an online, three-city Christmas concert this Sunday

- A last-minute farmers Christmas market is opening in Montreal this Saturday

- Get all the holiday feels going by watching Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal's Nutcracker

- Time Out Montreal's 15 most-read news stories of 2020

- Locked down, but not locked up: What Montreal is allowed to do during the upcoming lockdown

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