The holiday season is coming—and some people in Montreal have already hung fir wreaths on their front doors and switched from black coffee to black coffee with a hint of gingerbread. The streets smell of snow and cinnamon. And online, we’re bombarded with plans for the season—and we’re promised it’s going to be magical.
But, of course, it’s a lot to take in after a long, mild, sunny, and calm fall. Starting in mid-November, everything picks up speed with the frenzied energy of one of Santa’s elves with high blood sugar.
And, of course, we recommend taking a look at our calendar;
November 5–December 19: A cocktail inspired by Guerlain fragrances at the MARCUS bar
To sip a little Christmas magic in a floral medley reminiscent of the characters from *The Nutcracker*—iris, jasmine, bergamot, and vanilla—head over to the MARCUS Night Bar.
Created by mixology expert Jay Lawson in collaboration with the Guerlain Spa, this cocktail tasting extends the exploration of the house’s olfactory heritage through six miniature cocktails inspired by the Guerlinade, its signature fragrance.
The Guerlain Edition cocktail tasting is available Thursday through Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
November 14: Christmas Wreath-Making Workshop at Mon Amie Frankie
It’s never too early to decorate for the holidays—clearly, we take this very seriously here—and for something a little fancier than the spruce wreaths from IGA, we’re going to learn how to make our own using flowers and pine branches. Martha who?
November 15: Mozart and Beethoven in a candlelit concert
The holiday season is also the most traditional time of the year, and to combat the long nights and the (very tempting) plastic Santas popping up everywhere, treat yourself to a little Mozart and a little Beethoven by candlelight.
Candlelight: Mozart and Beethoven
15 November 2026 18:00 + more dates
Le 9e
November 18: Ornament-making workshop with Chloé Thouin
The super-cool Chloé Thouin is hosting an upcycling ornament-making workshop at the home decor store Chez Floh, and it’s just the inspiration (and tips) we need to transform our apartment into a magical Christmas wonderland for the holidays. And all without adding more plastic to the planet.
November 18: Knitting Café + Cocktails at Boulangerie AUBE
To get a (slightly late) start on our knitting or crocheting projects for our homemade Christmas gifts, we’re enjoying an “after-Aube” evening with cocktails and quiches to give ourselves a boost. Even Santa’s elves need a little encouragement.
No reservation required.
November 19 (through December 31): Very chic hot chocolate at the Ritz-Carlton
For a little taste of luxury during the holidays, we’ll grab a hot chocolate at the Ritz-Carlton’s mini-market. And that sugar rush will also help us shop all day for gifts to put under the tree.
November 19–December 23: A 3-hour train ride from Montreal, the German Christmas Market in Old Quebec
To get into the spirit this holiday season, let’s head to the German Christmas Market in Quebec City—the biggest and most charming of the season. And to add to the romance of the experience, you can take the train there, passing through the region’s snow-covered fields as you gaze into the distance and think about happiness.
The German Christmas Market pops up every year in five very pretty squares in Old Quebec. In 2026, it will run from November 19 to December 23.
- Alpine Village – Bergdorf
- Market Square – Marktplatz
- City Hall Gardens – Rathausgarten
- Ruelle de l’Église – Kirchgasse
- Christmas Castle – Weihnachtsschloss
November 21: Santa Claus Parade
On November 21, 2026, a month before Christmas, Santa Claus stops by to see the kids (and grown-ups) in Montreal with a parade downtown—and that’s the perfect time to go say hi to him, just in case he forgot us while making his list.
There will be elves, the Star Fairy, the Grinch who tries to steal Christmas every year, dancing, and music. It’s a Montreal classic, a holiday classic, and a classic of our Quebec childhood.
The real question is: Have we really been good this year?
November 21: Pilates and cinnamon rolls at Maison Pause
The holiday season is a bit like a marathon, but don’t forget to take care of yourself. A little Pilates to warm up your muscles, followed by a mini cinnamon roll from Cinnamelts (@cinnameltsmtl)—that’ll do us good before the home stretch.
To book a Pilates or Reformer class on November 21, click here
December 5–30: The Nutcracker, performed by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
Oh, sugarplum! The holiday season is almost here, and—of course—we’re going to buy our tickets to see one of the season’s most nostalgic ballets. With the sub-zero nights of the past few days, we can already hear the tinkling bells of the first snowflakes about to fall on the streets of Montreal. And, along with them, Tchaikovsky’s melody from *The Nutcracker*.
*The Nutcracker* is a tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, adapted into a ballet that transports the audience to a truly magical world similar to that of *Alice in Wonderland*. It was first performed in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg. Today, the ballet is even better known than the original story.
The ballet follows Clara, a very sweet young girl who finds herself in the middle of a battle between tin soldiers and hideous rats on Christmas Eve.
Her nutcracker, thanks to a magic trick, comes to life to rescue her and take her on an adventure into a fantastical world. She meets the Sugarplum Fairy (the famous “sugarplum fairy”), Prince Orgeat, flowers, reindeer, and dolls. Clara wakes up at the end of the ballet, fast asleep under the Christmas tree.
December 19–20: “Somber Solstice” Market
The winter solstice (December 21) is the longest night of the year. After this loooong night, the hours of sunlight will start to lengthen—and in nearly every culture, this return of light has been celebrated in one way or another for millennia. Saturnalia, Christmas, Yule.
To celebrate the holiday’s pagan origins, we’re heading to the Maleficarum Solstice Market. A touch of Krampus, some ritual candles, and a bit of the year’s darkest side to give our holiday season a little “edge.”
December 24: Christmas Mass at the Notre-Dame Basilica
To attend Mass in the city’s most beautiful church, head to the Notre-Dame Basilica.
Christmas Masses 2026 at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
24 December 2026 19:00
Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal
