Record attendance for the winter program

Montreal, March 12, 2025 – This winter, the free outdoor activities at the Quartier des Spectacles experienced record attendance, with 2.6 million visitors enjoying the impressive cultural and sports offerings, once again confirming the neighbourhood’s status as a choice destination to fully experience winter in the city. Since mid-November, the Quartier des Spectacles has hosted eight festivals and events. The Great Montreal Christmas Market, Montréal en Lumière and the winter staples of the Quartier such as LUMINO, the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink and Les Glissades Gamelin helped brighten up the season. Together, all these activities provided 108 days of free entertainment, filling the cold season with light and smiles for residents, Montrealers and tourists alike. 

LUMINO: 15 years and 33 works presented at 15 locations 

Light, creativity and northernness characterized the 15^th edition of LUMINO, an unmissable Montreal winter event presented in a new format this year. Around 30 pieces highlighted the work of more than 20 artists from around the world, a dozen creative studios and several UQAM students. Participatory, contemplative and luminous works presented outdoors and, for the first time, indoors were gradually deployed over the winter season in 15 locations from Place Émilie-Gamelin to Place Ville Marie with the support of 10 co-hosts.  

The 15^th edition of LUMINO is a finalist for Tourisme Montréal’s Distinction Award in the category of Development of tourism offer and product – Festivals, cultural and sports events. 

LUMINO is produced by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, presented thanks to the financial support of the Ville de Montréal and Tourisme Montréal and the collaboration of the co-hosts: Place des Arts, Complexe Desjardins, Montréal centre-ville, Place Ville Marie (PVM), Palais des congrès de Montréal, SDC Quartier Latin, BAnQ, Le Central, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth and UQAM. 

A skating rink as popular and majestic as ever 

Open since November 22, 2024, the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink has already welcomed 234,000 skaters, and the season will continue through spring thanks to its refrigerated ice. Free and open every day and evening, the largest outdoor skating rink downtown and its pavilion have offered a rich program throughout the season with, among other things, a special program during the holiday season, the Patins Platines series and an interactive video projection on ice, Au bord du lac Tranquille, by Mirari and Normal studio.  

Les Glissades Gamelin energized the Quartier Latin 

At Place Émilie-Gamelin, the second edition of Les Glissades Gamelin attracted family to the discovery of sliding sports. With three hills, six runs, the heated chalet L’Après-glisse and the Café Tranquille counter, the urban sliding facility became a true winter playground for thousands of visitors. The Association of Quebec Ski Areas (ASSQ), a major partner of Les Glissades Gamelin, welcomed the public into its converted container every weekend to introduce them to the many facets of Quebec’s ski resorts.  

Les Glissades Gamelin are a production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership. This project was made possible thanks to the financial support of the borough of Ville-Marie and the Ville de Montréal. 

From the Great Montreal Christmas Market to Montréal en Lumière 

The 72^nd edition of the Santa Claus Parade and the opening of Santa’s Kingdom at Complexe Desjardins marked the beginning of the festivities. Then, the Great Montreal Christmas Market was set up at the Place des Festivals. This relatively new event significantly contributed to the attractiveness of downtown during the holiday season, showcasing more than 60 exhibitors and a rich cultural and musical program. For the first time, the Christmas in the Park Festival took place at the Parterre, in the western hub of the Quartier des Spectacles.  

Finally, Montréal en Lumière returned to the Place des Festivals, with the Loto-Québec Skating Loop, the installation Les NŏKS arrivent en ville (part of the LUMINO program) and, for the first time, the Village Gourmand, a friendly, warm place popularizing gastronomy through its culinary demonstrations by renowned local chefs. The famous Nuit blanche was once again a great success in the Quartier with Moonshine X Nuit blanche presented by ICI MUSIQUE at MTelus, Nuit de la poésie (Poetry Night) at Place des Arts and the Belgo galleries, which were packed with people! 

Festivals and events during the 2024-2025 winter season 

The Great Montreal Christmas Market (November 22 to December 30, 2024) — The Santa Claus Parade (November 23, 2024) — Santa’s Kingdom at Complexe Desjardins (November 23 to December 24, 2024) — LUMINO (November 28, 2024 to March 9, 2025) — Christmas in the Park Festival (December 6 to 31, 2024) — Les Glissades Gamelin (January 16 to March 9, 2025) — Montréal en Lumière* (February 27 to March 9, 2025, gourmet programming starting February 20, 2025) — Nuit blanche (March 1, 2025, part of Montréal en Lumière)  

*The traffic data for the Montréal en Lumière and Nuit blanche outdoor sites was not included as it is currently unavailable.  

About the Quartier des Spectacles and the Partnership  

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart. It offers the greatest concentration and diversity of cultural venues in North America and hosts 52 major musical, dance, theatrical, film, literary and circus events, inviting Montrealers, festivalgoers and tourists alike to experience the excitement of festivals in the public squares and halls of the Quartier des Spectacles. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.   

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal.   

More information: quartierdesspectacles.com 

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MEDIA CONTACT 

Communications Mingotwo   
Mélanie Mingotaud   
melanie@mingo2.ca   
(514) 582-5272   

SOURCE   

Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles   
Marie Lamoureux 
marie.lamoureux@quartierdesspectacles.com
(514) 923-6772