This holiday season, we’re in the mood for nostalgia. Between the Christmas trees in the cobblestone squares of the Old Port and the large public markets that smell of mulled wine and melted cheese, Montreal has plenty to offer, but we still have a few recommendations for holiday markets like those from days gone by.
We’re in the mood for ribbons, puppets, the clop-clop of draft horses, and hot chocolate with a peppermint candy cane in it.
A 45-minute drive from downtown Montreal, you can take a stroll through the charming little town of Mirabel and visit its traditional Christmas market, open every weekend from November 21 to December 13.
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THE MIRABEL CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Mirabel Christmas Market is old-fashioned, with rows of small outdoor wooden cottages and a large indoor market featuring over a hundred artisans selling wooden items, jewelry, knitwear, and local products.
There will also be outdoor fire pits where you can leisurely sip hot chocolate among the fir trees, lulled by holiday music, and watch the first snowflakes of the year fall over Quebec. This year, it’ll snow for Christmas.
Mirabel is sometimes considered a Montreal suburb because of its proximity to the island (and its airport), but the small town has the charm of a rural village, and you’ll find the same nostalgic holiday atmosphere there as you would further afield, in the hills of the Eastern Townships.
There will also, of course, be a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus for the kids. The busiest couple of the season will take time to take photos with Montreal’s best-behaved little ones from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day the market is open. And for those who haven’t been quite so well-behaved, we’re also expecting a surprise visit from the Grinch.
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PRACTICAL INFO
Where? Domaine Vert-Nord Cultural Center, in Mirabel
When? November 21 through December 13, 2026, on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- November 21–22, 2026
- November 28–29, 2026
- December 5–6, 2026
- December 12–13, 2026
What’s that? Admission is free.
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