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MORE THAN 2 MILLION VISITORS: IT WAS AN EXCITING WINTER IN THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES
Montreal, March 21, 2024 – This winter, more than two million visitors enjoyed the impressive range of free culture and sports activities presented in the public spaces of the Quartier des Spectacles, from Place des Festivals to Place Émilie-Gamelin. Starting in mid-November, ten festivals and events brought winter warmth and joy to Montrealers and visitors, from the Holiday season to MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, from Luminothérapie to the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink – making fun a consistent theme of the Montreal winter.
As a result, the Quartier des Spectacles has confirmed its position as prime destination for embracing the Nordic lifestyle in the city. The cultural heart of the metropolis makes an undeniable contribution to the vitality of the downtown core in every season.
The Esplanade Tranquille skating rink and Luminothérapie: a pair of essential attractions
The Esplanade Tranquille skating rink’s 2023-24 season opened on November 15 and will conclude in early April. The rink has already attracted more than 275, 000 skating enthusiasts. Free and open 7 days and evenings a week, the downtown core’s largest refrigerated rink and its pavilion offered a wealth of programming throughout the season, including an enhanced program for the Holidays, the on-ice interactive video projection Au bord du lac Tranquille by Mirari and Normal studio, and MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE.
The annual Luminothérapie event once again astounded visitors with a compelling luminous experience on pedestrianized Sainte-Catherine St. West, featuring a series of six new works highlighting the talent of local and foreign creators. This essential part of winter in Montreal will return in 2024 to celebrate a milestone – its 15th edition!
A dynamic, sports-oriented Quartier Latin
At the eastern end of the Quartier des Spectacles, Les Glissades Gamelin, APIK and Mont Saint-Denis attracted more than 250,000 visitors with their thrilling sports activities and events. In Place Émilie-Gamelin, the inaugural edition of Les Glissades Gamelin, a unique urban boarding facility, attracted families who enjoy staying active in the winter. On Saint-Denis Street, pedestrianized for the occasion, the Mont Saint-Denis event presented by SDC Quartier Latin transformed the neighbourhood into an actual ski hill where skiers of all ages could experience all the fun winter has to offer. Finally, the second annual edition of APIK brought together a hundred local and international athletes for some intense skiing and snowboarding competitions, giving audiences an adrenaline-charged weekend.
An eventful winter season, from the Holidays to MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
Starting in mid-November, ten festivals and events punctuated the season. Holiday magic filled the Quartier from east to west! For the first time, the 71st Santa Claus Parade ended its route in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, as part of the memorable grand opening of the Great Montreal Christmas Market in Place des Festivals. There were also the traditional Christmas activities in Complexe Desjardins and, in December, the Noël dans le parc festival marked its 30th anniversary in Place Émilie-Gamelin.
The city’s marquee winter festival, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE held its 25th edition with a packed program of culinary and cultural delights, including the famous Nuit Blanche, which had a record-setting year. On the festival’s outdoor site, including the CeraVe Skating Loop on Place des Festivals, the Loto-Québec Ferris wheel and the all-new Tim Hortons speed rink, festivalgoers of all ages made some amazing memories.
Luminothérapie
A production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Montréal centre-ville, Place des Arts and Complexe Desjardins.
Glissades Gamelin
A production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, with the financial support of the borough of Ville-Marie, Ville de Montréal and Tourisme Montréal.
APIK
A production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, with the collaboration of the association des sports d’action (ASA) and the financial support of the borough of Ville-Marie, Tourisme Montréal and the Gouvernement du Québec, with the collaboration of SDC du Quartier Latin and the Ville de Montréal. APIK also received support from White Claw, Fireball and Shop Santé. APIK is an original idea by TRIBU.
THE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS OF WINTER 2023-24
Santa Claus Parade (November 25, 2023) — Luminothérapie (November 30, 2023, to March 10, 2024) — Noël féérique au Complexe Desjardins (November 25 to December 24, 2023) — Great Montreal Christmas Market (November 25 to December 31, 2023) — Noël dans le parc (December 8 to 31, 2023) — Glissades Gamelin (January 26 to March 5, 2024) — MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE (February 29 to March 10, 2024; culinary section February 27 to March 10) — *Nuit blanche (March 2, 2024, as part of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE) — Mont Saint-Denis (February 22 to March 3, 2024) — APIK** (March 1 to 3, 2024)
*Attendance figures for the outdoor MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE site are not included because they are not yet available.
ABOUT THE 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
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MEDIA CONTACT
Mélanie Mingotaud
Communications Mingotwo
melanie@mingo2.ca
514 582-5272
SOURCE
Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
Chloé Goldstein
chloe.goldstein@quartierdesspectacles.com
514 812‑2193
