The holiday season is the most nostalgic and romantic of the year, and sometimes a season of intense melancholy for some. Modern life, especially in winter, can be incredibly sad, and sometimes it’s hard to get into the holiday mood.
For a bright injection of Christmas nostalgia that smells of fir trees and hot chocolate, we recommend a visit to a (reconstructed) village of yesteryear to forget the big, cold offices of Montreal…
Illuminated Village
Although the Village Québécois d’Antan attraction is period-appropriate,the illuminations on its buildings, featuring actors in costumes (raw canvas skirts, lace bonnets, stuffed clogs), are electric, and the garlands are plugged into a 21st-century supergenerator.
For the 2025 holiday season, the Village Illuminé Desjardins has transformed the village of yesteryear into a semi-nostalgic, semi-mystical attraction with carols, riggidon, seasonal tales and magical fairies.
There’s a toy factory, a donut shop, a General Store and a horse-drawn cart. But most of all, there are bonfire activities , snowball fights, floor field hockey and, of course, a walk under the mistletoe.
Practical info
Where: Village Québécois d’Antan, 1370 Rue Montplaisir, Drummondville (1h-1h15 drive from Montreal)
When? from December 6, 2025
Saturdays, December 6 and 13 – 5pm to 10pm
December 20 to 31 (excluding December 25) – 5pm to 10pm
*the visit lasts about 3 hours, so we take the afternoon off for a stroll through the Illuminated Village.
How?to go to the ticket office, click here!
general admission adults – $37
general admission children – $20
family general admission – $90
Enjoy your visit (the old-fashioned way) this holiday season,