Where to see Christmas lights in Montreal

Place des Festivals transforms into a true winter wonderland starting in November, and unlike most spots on our list, it keeps the Luminothérapie light installations going well into the frostier half of spring. Head to the Christmas Market which stays open from early November through to Christmas Eve and make sure to pencil in a second trip after the holidays; that’s when the Esplanade Tranquille transforms into an illuminated playground designed to give a pulse of warmth to the winter’s short days and dark nights.

Get ready: Hôtel William Gray's terrasse transforms into an elegant, magical experience (picture sparkly lights, candles and faux-fur throws) in comfortably toasty clear domes that provide staggering views of Old Montreal's skyline (cue La Grande Roue, Marché Bonsecours and the river beyond) that are only more magical during the warmer months.

Old Montreal is an especially magical spot in the wintertime. For one, there are significantly less tourists blocking the sidewalks, and strolling through the empty streets with the Notre-Dame Basilica lit up against the dark, snowy skyline feels exactly like stepping into a feel-good holiday movie. The best light show awaits inside, of course—Aura is a spectacle by the local stage show kings Moment Factory that truly brings the basilica to life.

Wintertime is a special time to see The Ring, a major art installation at the foot of the Place Ville Marie tower that gets lit up after dark—which in winter starts at 5 pm. With a fresh snowfall and after-work crowds bustling all around, it’s a swell place to take in the twinkly seasonal atmosphere.

A popular spot for office workers to lunch in the summertime, Dorchester Square turns into a glistening wonderland come winter. It’s not over-the-top or overly Christmas-themed, but the sparkling lights set against the trees and surrounding high-rises make for a very romantic Montreal park stroll.

Not everybody likes the hustle of Christmas shopping, but strolling through the lit-up shops and sights on Sainte-Catherine will put even the biggest Grinch in a festive mood. The gleaming shopfronts and pretty decorations overhead will make you whip out your credit card before you even think about it. If it’s chilly, the underground city is bustling and bright too

Complexe Desjardins is a popular Downtown Montreal commuter mall to get from the green line to the orange line, but the central fountain is worth stopping for—especially during the Holidays, when it becomes the centrepiece in the highly decorated Santa’s village (complete with live sightings of the man himself). Time your visit with the Vegas-worthy light show: the brightly lit Fontaine Boréale jets high into the air as syncopated lights throughout the mall pulse to the beat of classic Christmas tunes.

Want to see the city lit up without bracing the cold? Head underground and make your way to the Centre Eaton Montreal. Alongside the shops and food court—including Time Out Market Montréal—you’ll find a sprawling, interactive Christmas tree with sparkling Christmas lights running through along all five floors.

For a particularly mesmerizing experience, make your way to Château Ramezay, one of the best things to do in Old Montreal. The historic house and museum dates back to the 18th century, but really glistens in the wintertime when the entire property is decked out in Christmas lights. The Château also offers baking workshops and various holiday-themed activities for families.

Old Montreal pulls out all the stops during the Holidays, and though this epicentre of the neighbourhood may be famously touristy, it’s still goddarn pretty this time of year. Follow the illuminated arches that line the streets and indulge in Place Jacques-Cartier’s twinkly twee-ness—you can warm up by one of the open fires, taste maple taffy, buy yourself a wreath or just gaze out at the St. Lawrence River as you cook up your last gift ideas.

This downtown history museum holds many treasures, including the famous Ogilvy Christmas window displays, donated when the tawny department store changed hands a few years ago. The warm glow of the mechanised animal scenes enchanted kids since 1947, and still does in its new home from late November to early January.

Christmas in the Park takes over this Quartier des Spectacles park throughout December, making it a twinkly open-air Christmas village including comfy cabins, bonfires, live music and fun sleigh rides to keep the whole fam entertained, all for free. While you’re there, pick up a natural tree—the scent is second-to-none.

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It's become an annual tradition for lots of Montrealers to trek out to Drummondville to see this traditional style village, decorated to the nines. Picture the North Pole, Quebec style. There’s lots to see and do onsite, from pretty illuminated houses to a Christmas market, snowball fights,giant slide, ice skating, toy-making workshops and lots of seasonal eats to nosh on.