Holiday magic for the whole family in the Quartier des Spectacles

Main text of post

Skating, meeting Santa, checking out LUMINO, Christmas shows and movies: the Quartier des Spectacles has all kinds of activities for the whole family, so that people of all ages can enjoy a magical Holiday wonderland together.

By Sébastien Tétrault

Meeting Santa Claus at Complexe Desjardins

You can feel the Christmas magic in Santa’s Kingdom in Complexe Desjardins! Until Christmas Eve, kids can meet Santa and share their wish lists (free, make a reservation on-site). There are also plenty of free activities for children: shows every day, face-painting and the immersive sound-and-light show Forêt Boréale, presented daily, which makes use of the big fountain. Your children can also ride the mini train for a tour of the festive setting, or take a ride on the carousel in the heart of the complex.

Attend a show at Place des Arts, Maison Théâtre or the Gesù

In keeping with tradition, Place des Arts presents a set of shows that embody the Holiday spirit for all ages. Discover and rediscover some enchanting classics: Nicolas Noël | Le cristal du temps (Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, December 27 and 28) is a delightful show in which the authentic Père Nicolas, accompanied by the elves Trémaline and Pamalin, sings and tells the most amazing stories. Meanwhile, from December 12 to 30 in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, don’t miss The Nutcracker, the classic ballet inspired by the Hoffman fairy tale. This production, created by Fernand Nault 60 years ago, features more than a hundred dancers and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Be transported on a magical journey to the Kingdom of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets!

Là-bas, from December 11 to January 5 at Maison Théâtre, is a show by L’Aubergine: a funny, touching and fun piece about community, resilience and life’s little pleasures.

The whole family will enjoy Un Noël Rated G, presented by the Scream Dance Academy at the Gesù on December 15. You’ll discover a dynamic world steeped in Christmas spirit.

Go skating on the Esplanade Tranquille rink

Bring your own skates or rent some from the Patin Patin counter, and get the whole family out on the ice! The rink has plenty going on for the Holidays: Santa and his elves will lace ‘em up for Le Père-Noël sait-il patiner ? on December 15 and 21, and a choir will be there on December 19 to sing some seasonal favourites.

Upstairs in the pavilion, Café Tranquille is the place to go to warm up after a skating session. Enjoy the view or borrow some family-friendly games from the ludothèque. The space is decked out with beautiful Christmas decorations by paper artist Pauline Loctin. On December 14 and 15, Café La Chouette will hold Christmas-cookie decorating workshops.

Marvel at the wonders of LUMINO

Discover the thirty works, many of them interactive, lighting up the downtown core and the Quartier des Spectacles this winter. Take advantage of December’s early sunsets to experience the immersive installations and video projections set up in 15 outdoor public spaces and indoor venues. This edition’s featured works are by turns thought provoking, puzzling and fascinating, and discovering them is a unique way to enjoy winter and the Holiday season to the fullest!