Montréal does winter like no other: 6 can’t-miss winter festivals
One thing about Montrealers: they will never let sub-zero temperatures get in the way of a good time. In fact, no city knows how to enjoy the winter months quite like Montréal. As temperatures go down, festival season heats up in the city, bringing with it plenty of fun—from outdoor adventures to mouthwatering culinary delights, to jaw-dropping arts and cultural experiences.
So grab your toques, book a trip to Montréal, and come check out these festive winter wonderlands coming soon to La Métropole.
MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
When: February 22 - March 10, 2024
Considered one of the largest winter festivals in the world, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE sees over 500,000 people descend upon the city annually for a mesmerizing celebration of culture, cuisine, and creativity. This year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary, so you already know they’re going all out, making this an event you won’t want to miss.
During the nearly three-week event, downtown’s Quartier des spectacles becomes a glittering, gastronomic paradise. Indulge in the best of Québec cuisine with themed restaurant experiences and workshops led by guest chefs. Or enjoy a fresh perspective on the downtown skyline on the one-of-a-kind Skating Loop, a 300-metre-long elevated skating trail that pairs breathtaking views with immersive light shows and a state-of-the-art sound system. It’s truly a winter experience like no other.
The fun continues all night long with the festival’s Nuit blanche, as culture-loving night owls brave the wintry temperatures to explore a wide range of artistic and cultural activities across the city.
Nuit Blanche
When: March 2, 2024
For 20 years strong, Nuit blanche has been turning Montréal’s streets into a canvas of imagination, inviting the city’s nocturnal set on an all-night art adventure. The dusk-till-dawn affair boasts hundreds of indoor and outdoor activities across the city, showcasing creativity in all its forms: visual art installations, theatrical performances, concerts, films, poetry readings, and more. A celebration of Montréal’s big, beating, cultural heart, the event sees the city itself become an artistic masterpiece.
Nuit blanche’s 2024 theme is “Fantasy,” inviting you to escape the confines of reality and explore the wonders of the night.
Igloofest
When: January 18 - February 10, 2024
Quite possibly the world’s coolest (or at least coldest) electronic music festival, Igloofest unites thousands of revellers for an unforgettable dance experience in Montréal’s historic Old Port.
Against an icy backdrop juxtaposed with sleek steel structures, groove to an avalanche of beats served up by the finest local and international DJs. Those in need of a break from all the dancing can chill out in the whimsical Igloovillage or take part in the annual tacky snowsuit contest.
Luminothérapie
When: December - March 2024
Treat your seasonal affective disorder with the most Instagrammable light therapy available in Canada. Luminothérapie is Montréal’s flagship winter event, an annual festival thoughtfully crafted to infuse light, serenity, and delight into winter’s darkest months.
Seamlessly melding the city’s penchant for technological innovation with a playfully artistic touch, the event transforms downtown's Quartier des Spectacles into an interactive art dreamland full of radiant and interactive installations. Take in the spellbinding streetside artwork along Sainte-Catherine Street, or go for a skate on the Esplanade Tranquille rink, where the ice comes alive with enthralling video projections, and watch those winter blues melt away in no time.
Poutine Week
When: February 2024
For two weeks every February, restaurants across Montréal unite in the name of the holy trifecta of french fries, gravy, and cheese curds. Poutine Week sees local chefs square off in a friendly tournament, putting their unique and innovative spins on the famed Québécois dish for ultimate bragging rights.
Cabane Panache et Bois Rond
When: March 2024
Want to experience authentic Québécois winter traditions—without having to leave the Montréal metro area? Every March, Wellington Street in Verdun transforms into a “winter lumberjack village” for Cabane Panache et Bois Rond.
This lively four-day festival promises plenty of sugar shack-inspired fun, from maple-infused eats (and drinks!) to live performances, lumberjack challenges, shopping and more. It’s everything you need to unleash your inner Québécois lumberjack.
