OldMontreallaunchesafestivewinterprogramfor2025-2026

This initiative not only launches the winter season as a whole, but also brings together the entirety of the neighbourhood’s holiday content, all while enhancing the destination’s appeal during the colder months and enriching the Old Montreal visitor experience. For its 2025 edition, the campaign will offer up a wealth of recommendations, including one-of-a-kind experiences, cozy atmospheres, heartwarming moments, and – above all – a curated address list of local must-visits. Added to this will be suggestions for unique illuminated routes, community events, festive outings, and comfortable outdoor venues to enjoy throughout the neighbourhood this winter. It is therefore in the form of an invitation to rediscover the heritage charm of Old Montreal, wrapped in a touch of magic and a blanket of snow, that the SDC is renewing its special holiday campaign this season starting December 1st: OLD MONTREAL: HISTORY & MAGIC.

Warm and sparkling moments await you this winter

Committed to maintaining the historic district’s appeal and welcoming atmosphere as the cold season sets in, the SDC Vieux-Montréal is pleased to contribute to the realization of flagship and impactful projects being carried out all over the old quarter this winter. To start: the setting up of the neighbourhood’s signature winter illuminations, which will once again dazzle visitors with Old Montreal’s unique holiday charm at nearly thirty specially designated locations.

Also, redesigned outdoor pedestrian relaxation zones – Winter Rest Areas – will be gradually introduced at four sites across the district by the beginning of January, notably featuring brand new outdoor fire pits complete with Adirondack chairs, much to the delight of visitors on foot. Similarly, an all-new development project called the Saint-Paul West Winter Station, made possible with support from the City of Montreal, will be unveiled in the front square of the Old Customs House on the north side of Place Royale. This winter oasis will come alive over the weeks between January and March with fire pits, special luminous décor and an enchanting musical atmosphere. And definitely worth noting: a winter tales and legends storytelling session and a free marshmallow bar will be offered to Winter Station visitors on Saturday afternoons!

Access the complete digital map of the neighbourhood to discover several outdoor points of interest.

The Ville-Marie borough and the SDC Vieux-Montréal are proud partners in the Old Montreal Winter Lights 2025-2026 and Winter Rest Areas 2025-2026 projects.

A wealth of offerings blending tradition & holiday magic this December in Old Montreal

Through this outreach initiative, the SDC also invites you to discover the (almost!) complete program of events for the historic district’s holiday season, featuring local businesses and cultural partners who contribute greatly to Old Montreal’s distinctive appeal. So this year, be prepared for a holiday address book that is bursting at the seams with wonderful places to visit and great things to do! Among the highlights not to be missed…

First up, the legendary and ephemeral Bar Miracle, newly returned to the old quarter on Saint-Paul Street East starting November 27, will be treating patrons to a complete – and very jolly – immersion in the Christmas spirit. In the same vein, but with a “Vintage Christmas” twist, the Secrets speakeasy will also be transformed into a bonafide yuletide haven this year. For those who love a great tea room, holiday experiences of the delightful kind await you at Bar à Beurre and Paparmane. And for some splendid visuals, the always-flawless winter aesthetic of Ruelle Pepin (understandably described by many as the most Instagrammable alley in Quebec) is sure to charm you, proving the perfect setting for a simply fantastic holiday photoshoot.

A host of festive workshops will also be offered throughout the neighbourhood this December, including Christmas wreath workshops at both Maison Pepin and Mtl Flower Co. The latter is also putting on a special mixology workshop – Christmas edition – just in time to discover your next favourite cocktail or mocktail before the party season is in full swing! Holiday-themed culinary workshops will also be held – among others at Bevo Pizzeria and Ateliers & Saveurs, where you can learn how to make your very own Yule log. Alternatively, for a truly magical dinner with friends, family, or that special someone, the William Gray Winter Terrasse, the Auberge Saint-Gabriel, and the Bateau-Mouche on the Old Port docks offer exceptional winterized experiences in their heated domes where you can cozily lounge the evening away and enjoy a delectable gourmet meal “outside”.

On the cultural front, Christmas concert lovers will be enchanted by the return of the Choralies and their heartwarming carols at the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, while at the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Orchestre Métropolitain will be presenting the Christmas Oratorio, a monumental work by Bach recounting the nativity. The Basilica is also offering a Christmas mass program on December 24 and 25, featuring traditional hymns performed by renowned artists.

In terms of family activities, Pointe-à-Callière will delight young and old alike with its Holidays on the Point program, notably featuring its free show, Christmas Around the World! A stunning outdoor holiday display with sparkling Christmas trees, wooden cabins and inviting benches will also beautifully adorn Place Royale up until early January. For its part, Château Ramezay is offering its family-friendly Around the Fireplace circuit, as well as interpretive stations and period costume photo opportunities.

For fans of outdoor walks, Guidatour will be giving its simply magical guided tours under the theme of Christmas Secrets of Old Montreal, in addition to a dynamic and fun Holiday Scavenger Hunt. 

Finally, the return of the PHI Holiday Pop-up, in the form of an art fair featuring local creations, will be the perfect opportunity to find Christmas gifts that are thoughtful and definitely outside the box!

New Year’s Eve: the Grand Minuit de Montréal event promises to be a colourful and festive celebration on the evening of December 31, 2025

After a record-breaking edition last year with nearly 100,000 revellers gathering at the Old Port and in Old Montreal, Multicolore – the seasoned producer behind Montreal’s year-end celebrations since 2024 – is preparing a spectacular and highly festive open-air show for this second edition. Newly named Grand Minuit de Montréal, this free, large-scale event will fuse together music, lights, art and winter magic for one truly unforgettable New Year’s Eve.

On the program: live performances, dazzling stage design, unexpected moments and a grand countdown at midnight like no other! So be sure to mark your calendars for December 31st at Jacques-Cartier Quay in the Old Port, and at Place Jacques-Cartier in Old Montreal.

More details about the Grand Minuit de Montréal 2026 event

Find all OLD MONTREAL: HISTORY & MAGIC campaign content on the digital platform sdcvieuxmontreal.com and on the SDC Vieux-Montréal’s official social media pages. Media are invited to use the hashtag  #historiqueetfeerique and tag @levieuxmontreal in their content. For editorial purposes, the SDC is pleased to make a photo library available to the media, SDC members and neighbourhood partners.

About the SDC Vieux-Montréal

In addition to representing the 2,400+ businesses established within its territory and building a close-knit business community, the SDC Vieux-Montréal sees to the local economic development of the historic neighbourhood through various initiatives, notably contributing to the destination's overall appeal throughout the year. An exceptional visitor experience is at the heart of every outreach project imagined and implemented by the SDC Vieux-Montréal.

Official partner

The SDC Vieux-Montréal would like to thank the City of Montreal for its contribution to the 2025-2026 Winter Promotional Campaign.