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A thousand and one ways to celebrate winter downtown now until March 2022

Press Release | For immediate release

Montréal, November 16, 2021 – Since this Monday, November 15, and until March 2022, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Montréal centre-ville, Le Grand Marché de Noël, XP_MTL, the Noël dans le Parc Festival and MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE are turning downtown into an inviting, festive and magical winter destination. As public health measures are relaxed, their many initiatives will allow the public to experience the Quartier des Spectacles and the broader downtown core at their joyful and lively best, bringing more cheer to this Holiday season.

In a safe setting, Montrealers will be able to explore a series of luminous and interactive installations, see unscheduled performances, meet local artisans, visit inviting spaces and enjoy some great surprises! It’s a true winter wonderland that will turn the heart of the city into the very best place to celebrate our Nordic lifestyle. There will be plenty of free activities for all, along with a magical Holiday ambiance, all along the colourfully illuminated and pedestrian Sainte-Catherine Street, from De Bleury Street to Saint-Laurent Boulevard.

DELIGHTFUL WINTER INITIATIVES

Lights on Peel: honouring the clans of Kanien’kehá:ka
As of November 15, 2021
On Peel St.
An initiative of Montréal centre-ville, in partnership with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Heritage Portfolio, KORLCC, the borough of Ville-Marie and ISM - Art & Design.

As you walk along Peel Street, learn about the rich history of the First Nations and travel back in time while discovering the origins of the clans of Kanien’kehá:ka!

Winter illumination
Until February 15, 2022
On Sainte-Catherine St. West, McGill College Avenue and Sherbrooke St.
An initiative of Montréal centre-ville

This winter, over 500 luminous decorations will be installed on more than 8 kilometres of downtown streets. Everyone will be happy to see the traditional holiday lighting lining Canada’s longest commercial artery, but there will also be some new decorations to enjoy this winter! The first hints of a luminous urban forest can already be seen on McGill College Avenue, sure to delight kids and adults alike. Come to Sherbrooke Street to celebrate public art in a luminous open-air gallery. Let the magical downtown lights captivate you!

Les Diamants
November 18, 2021, to January 9, 2022
Parvis of St. James United Church
Presented by Montréal centre-ville

A co-production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Montréal centre-ville, the Société de développement de l’Avenue du Mont-Royal, the borough of Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles and Culture Trois-Rivières.

On the parvis of St. James United Church you’ll discover a unique illuminated and interactive work! This 100% local co-production created by Alexis Laurence and Francis Laporte of the Perséides studio will tour the province in 2022.

Composed of three colourful luminous structures, Les Diamants shines brightly as it reflects sunlight by day and lights up at night. When you get together with other people to make each installation spin, the artwork produces a harmonious waltz in music and light, a thrill for your eyes and ears.

Unscheduled winter activities
November 20 to December 18, 2021
On the territory of Montréal centre-ville
An initiative of Montréal centre-ville

In addition to festive decorations and retail bargains, Montréal centre-ville is bringing even more magic to downtown with unscheduled performances and activities. While the traditional Santa Claus Parade didn’t happen this year, that doesn’t mean Montreal’s Santa won’t be part of the festivities. Stay tuned!

“Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the summer was a big success for the downtown core. To keep that energy going through the winter, we will offer Montrealers a unique experience combining Holiday magic and winter themes. In addition to the many decorations lighting up the downtown streets, the district’s merchants have several activities, sales and surprises in store. And, with a little luck, you might even meet Santa Claus! In other words, this winter downtown will offer a lively shopping experience that you won’t find anywhere else,” said Glenn Castanheira, executive director of Montréal centre-ville.

Le Grand Marché de Noël
November 20, 2021, to January 2, 2022
On Sainte-Catherine St. West between Balmoral and Clark streets
An initiative of La Lutinerie

After a multi-year hiatus, starting November 20 and continuing throughout the Holiday season downtown Montreal will welcome the winter’s most eagerly anticipated event: Le Grand Marché de Noël, an authentic Christmas market in full compliance with public health directives. Visitors will be able to support local artisans while enjoying delicious mulled wine, comforting churros and a wide variety of gourmet treats. As they walk among the illuminated cabins, visitors young and old will appreciate the enchanting decorations and an excellent free program of performances, concerts and activities. There’s even a rumour that Santa himself will drop in to meet Montrealers.

“We’ve worked very hard for nearly two years to bring back the Christmas Village. It’s a joy to see our work bear fruit and generate so much excitement,” said Line Basbous, executive director of La Lutinerie, the organization behind the Fairytale Tour.

L'Odyssée, là où les contes et légendes prennent vie
As of November 24, 2021
On Sainte-Catherine St. W.
An initiative of XP_MTL

XP_MTL is back in downtown Montreal with L'Odyssée, là où les contes et légendes prennent vie. The event will spread some Holiday magic along Sainte-Catherine St. West with giant installations, a display window competition, activities and live music. XP_MTL is proud to work with major partners such as Ivanhoé Cambridge, Montréal centre-ville and the Ville de Montréal to present creative activities and installations that will give downtown visitors a positive experience.

L’Odyssée invites you to create your own Holiday adventure in downtown Montreal. The last two years have been especially challenging for merchants and all Quebecers, and we want to help bring some magic and happiness back to the heart of the city with works created by local artists and artisans,” said Jean-François Daviau, president and co-founder of XP_MTL.

Luminothérapie
December 2, 2021, to February 27, 2022
In the Quartier des Spectacles
An initiative of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership

For its 12th annual edition, Luminothérapie will create an especially festive atmosphere in the Quartier des Spectacles! Comprising luminous and interactive works, the event invites you on a colourful stroll through the Quartier. There will be new interactive installations alongside old favourites like Impulsion and Entre les rangs, and a moment of sound and light will bring together visitors of all ages in a giant celebration of Montreal in winter – inviting, lively and warm. Come get your fill of light and wonderment with this great winter fair!

"This winter, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership wanted to spread joy throughout downtown with the 12th edition of Luminothérapie, a key event of our Montreal winters! Thanks to this enchanting series of luminous and interactive works, the Quartier des Spectacles will be the perfect destination to play outside and enjoy the cold season in Montreal!” said Éric Lefebvre, executive director, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.

Noël dans le Parc Festival
December 3 to 23, 2021
Place Émilie-Gamelin
An initiative of L'Auguste Théâtre

The 28th edition of the Noël dans le Parc Festival presents eclectic musical evenings with live country, hip-hop, pop, rock and traditional music. With a stage nestled in an urban evergreen forest, the event invites audiences of all ages to Place Émilie-Gamelin, in the Quartier des Spectacles. Come celebrate Christmas magic, enjoy free concerts, spend some quality time with your loved ones and buy your natural Christmas tree!

“Thanks to the ongoing support of festivalgoers and our longstanding partners, the festival is pursuing its artistic mission and remains accessible to all, sparking joy and spreading community spirit for the Holidays,” said Alain Guimond Gingras, executive and artistic director of the Noël dans le Parc Festival.

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
February 17 to 27, 2022
In the Quartier des Spectacles

For its 23rd edition, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE will present a program of luminous art and outdoor projections in collaboration with the Quartier’s flagship winter event, Luminothérapie. With a presence in the Quartier des Spectacles and throughout the city, including a gourmet program showcasing local restaurateurs and producers, the festival will also present indoor concerts, the eagerly anticipated Nuit Blanche, and an outdoor site with exclusive performances and winter activities to bring light to the cold season and warm your heart and taste buds!

“MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE’s mission is to make our winter shine, while celebrating the restaurant and hospitality sectors in Greater Montreal. We are also particularly proud to launch a new era of community spirit with the 2022 edition’s theme of skating, a true emblem of our Nordic heritage,” said Jacques Primeau, executive director of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE.

GETTING TO DOWNTOWN MONTREAL

  • Public transportation: numerous STM bus routes and more than 10 metro stations on the green and orange lines serve the area.
  • Cycling: countless bike paths and lanes crisscross the downtown core.
  • The area includes accommodations for people with reduced mobility. Please see individual venue websites for details.

ABOUT QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE PARTNERSHIP

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. 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

ABOUT MONTRÉAL CENTRE-VILLE

Montréal centre-ville is the city’s downtown business development corporation (SDC), a non-profit organization whose mission is to contribute to the development, animation and promotion of downtown Montreal. The association has nearly 5,000 member businesses located between Atwater Avenue and Saint-Urbain Street and between Sherbrooke and Saint-Antoine streets. Montréal centre-ville was founded in 1999 and is the largest organization of its kind in Canada.

More information: montrealcentreville.ca

ABOUT LA LUTINERIE

La Lutinerie is a Montreal-based event promoter known for its Holiday season events and installations in the Quartier des Spectacles and the Sud-Ouest district. The organization has been nominated for and won several awards (Tourisme Montréal, chambre de commerce et d’industrie du Sud-Ouest). La Lutinerie is also behind the new Guinguettes, which took place in the summer of 2021 in Parc Jean Drapeau and throughout the city.

More information: noelmontreal.ca

ABOUT XP_MTL

XP_MTL is a non-profit organization whose mission is to produce annual indoor and outdoor events and festive programming, backed by a strong online presence. The organization contributes to the district’s economic, cultural, social and tourist development as well as the city’s international profile. The XP_MTL project focuses on the quality of the experience offered to people living, working, studying or having fun in the downtown core by presenting programming that highlights the major lifestyle trends: fashion, design, music, beauty and shopping. Last year, XP_MTL presented nearly 170 activities and worked with more than 700 local artists and artisans.

More information: xpmtl.com

ABOUT NOËL DANS LE PARC

L'Auguste Théâtre is a not-for-profit organization specializing in event production. For nearly 30 years it has been organizing artistic and multicultural events. Under the leadership of artistic director Alain Gingras Guimond, the organization fulfills its mission by creating a unique world through culture, original architecture, music and the performing arts. The Noël dans le Parc Festival was conceived and directed in 1993 by actor Reynald Bouchard, who founded and directed L’Auguste Théâtre until his death in August 2009. He dreamed of creating an urban Christmas village that would be a place for meeting and mixing, embodying the spirit of sharing and conviviality associated with Christmas.

For 28 years, the Noël dans le Parc Festival has been offering Montrealers a unique and memorable experience. It immerses visitors in the magical atmosphere of a warm and diverse Christmas with singers, musicians, visual artists, storytellers and public entertainers, as well as its forest of fir trees whose fragrance fills the air. The Festival takes place in Compagnons-de-Saint-Laurent and Lahaie parks, in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal and, since 2016, in Place Émilie-Gamelin.

More information: noeldansparc.com

ABOUT MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE

Every winter since its inaugural edition in 2000, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE offers Montrealers and visitors hundreds of delicious activities to enjoy. Since its beginning, over 600 special guests from the culinary world, from over 20 countries, have come to celebrate the best of what Quebec gastronomy has to offer: its chefs, producers, artisans, and culinary culture. During the Festival, the Quartier des Spectacles and its Place des Festivals—the headquarters of downtown celebrations—become THE essential winter destination offering a wide range of free activities for all. The Nuit Blanche gathers thousands of night owls who brave the winter temperatures in order to fully experience a uniquely wild urban adventure, featuring many cultural activities throughout the city.

More information: montrealenlumiere.com

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
Mélanie Mingotaud
Communications Mingotwo
melanie@mingo2.ca
(514) 582-5272

Montréal centre-ville
Dany St-Jean
dstjean14@gmail.com
(514) 212-5457

La Lutinerie
Line Basbous
prod@noelmontreal.ca
(514) 550-7646

XP_MTL
Solneige Diaz
Thara Communications
solneige@tharacommunications.com
(514) 449-7219

Noël dans le parc
Julie Bourbonnière
C4 COMMUNICATIONS
julieb@c4com.ca

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
Christine Montreuil
cmontreuil@evenko.ca