Sunday April 2nd 2023 - The Esplanade Tranquille ice rink is open from 4p.m to 10p.m.
This new public space in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles is a versatile, all-ages destination open year-round. It is a welcoming spot with a diverse cultural program.
There is a refrigerated skating rink in winter, a comfortable terrasse in summer, and a multipurpose pavilion that include, common areas for taking a break, a café, Galaxie Brasserie restaurant, a game rental counter and a self-serve library. Esplanade Tranquille also has an all-seasons festive side, with intimate performances presented by the many festivals and events based in the Quartier.
Come have a look at your new space – your own backyard, the perfect place to have fun and get together with friends!
THE REFRIGERATED SKATING RINK
Schedule and program
Esplanade Tranquille pavilion
Sunday to Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to midnight
Skating rink
Sunday to Thursday : 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday : 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
No charge for skating rink access.
Schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions and/or event programming.
Rental counter
Sunday to Wednesday 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday: 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Changing room
Sunday to Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Please note that all locker locks are cut off at midnight each day
The refrigerated rink is free for all skaters! A Quebec winter classic, it welcomes you to enjoy the pleasures of winter in the heart of downtown Montreal – even when the ambient temperature rises as high as 10°C. With a surface measuring 1,500 m2 (16,000 sq. ft.) its capacity is up to 400 skaters. The rink is carefully maintained: a Zamboni, decorated in Quartier des Spectacles colours, resurfaces the ice every 90 minutes.
A counter operated by Patin Patin, located in the Repaire inside the pavilion, provides skate, helmet and padlock rentals as well as a skate sharpening service.
Take an interactive journey on the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink – a dreamy experience of the Far North that reveals its strikingly rich biodiversity.
In the enormous land that is Quebec, a virtual infinity of waterways – from creeks to the mighty St. Lawrence – are home to abundant flora and fauna. Whether fresh or salty, the water flows harmoniously before freezing on winter’s arrival. We take advantage of these enormous natural mirrors to go for a nice long skate. But are the creatures under our blades really hibernating?
Behind you, your skates leave a winter fresco on the ice – the marks left by your blades allow glimpses of a fascinating imaginary underwater world, a parallel universe inhabited by aquatic and terrestrial animals. Fish, whales and tortoises are unveiled through an interactive video projection by mirari and Normal Studio and follow you playfully. Learn to get along with the neighbours under your feet and become the current, the maelstrom, the celestial energy! Let your imagination glide into a world that belongs to dreams: the world of Lac Tranquille.
Presented as part of Luminothérapie, 13th edition
Free admission, daily at 8:30 p.m. * *Schedule subject to change on Fridays.
CREDITS
Design and creation: Normal Studio and Mirari Photon programming: VYV
A production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
Rental of learning aids for children
Learning aids in the form of mini-Zambonis are available for helping very young children learn to skate in a fun and safe way. A limited number of learning aids are available at the Patin Patin rental counter, on weekday evenings.
Patin Patin employees reserve the right to suspend learning aid rentals without notice when the rink is very busy, in order to keep the rink safe for everyone.
Patin Patin employees prioritize reservations of learning aids during scheduled learning activities (Ice Garden and on-ice instructors). These activities are free of charge.
Reserving assistance devices for persons with reduced mobility
It is now possible to borrow special equipment that makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the rink! The devices are free, but a reservation is required:
2 walkers
1 tubular sled chair*
1 lugiglace (for wheelchair users)*.
*The sled chair and lugiglace require a second person to help with steering.
Upstairs, the Grand Salon is an inviting and comfortable public lounge – a great place to relax and socialize. It welcomes skaters after a long day outside or anyone who simply wants to take a break by the fireplace and enjoy a panoramic view of the rink. In winter and summer alike, the space hosts a variety of cultural activities and includes two patios overlooking Esplanade Tranquille.
An exhibition, Henri Tranquille et sa librairie Tranquille, tells the story of the Librairie Tranquille bookstore and its owner through a series of displays featuring reproductions of archival materials, photos and unpublished writings. The Esplanade Tranquille Ludothèque (game library) offers a variety of board games free of charge.
The café in the Grand Salon is operated by Patin Patin. It serves tasty snacks and a selection of hot and cold beverages to help you recharge between skating sessions.
Le Réfectoire
Also on the second floor is this brightly lit space featuring contemporary décor and a spectacular view of the Esplanade. It’s perfect for people looking for a quiet place to work, and it can also be rented for cultural, private and corporate events.
Room rentals in the Esplanade Tranquille pavilion
The Esplanade Tranquille rental spaces offer modern, well-lit designs and cutting-edge equipment for conferences, round tables and every type of corporate and private event.
For more information on the rooms and the rental procedure, click here.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ESPLANADE TRANQUILLE
Esplanade Tranquille: origin of the name
Esplanade Tranquille is named in honour of the Tranquille bookstore, once located on the site, and its owner, Henri Tranquille (1916-2005). It is an important site in contemporary Quebec history, having hosted the launch of the Refus global manifesto in 1948.
A space designed to complement the Quartier des Spectacles experience
Esplanade Tranquille is the final phase of the public spaces project for the western sector of the Quartier des Spectacles. The other spaces are Place des Festivals, Promenade des Artistes, the Parterre and Sainte-Catherine Street.
Located at a key downtown intersection – the corner of Saint-Laurent Blvd. and Sainte-Catherine St. – the Esplanade is designed to complement Place des Festivals. It was conceived as a human-scale public space. It is welcoming and comfortable, making it an excellent everyday gathering place for Montrealers and visitors. Esplanade Tranquille is a rest and relaxation zone, a place to get together with friends, and a place to have fun, enjoy a snack and be inspired by Montreal’s cultural heart.
