Visiting a market in summer is incredibly pleasant. Basket in elbow, shorts and all the time in the world to consider every zucchini, every tomato. In winter, in Montreal, everything is a little more complicated. The mittens – and the kids’ mittens – are too thick, it’s snowing, we’re starving because we waited until the last minute…
But during the holiday season, Montrealers find the inner strength to make a visit to the market romantic and enjoyable. And the Jean-Talon market, which transforms itself into the scene for the start of a Christmas movie on December weekends, has a lot to do with it.
Holiday markets
Yes, we know, we’ve been talking about Montreal’s – and the region’s – holiday markets for a month now.
We’ve amassed enough ceramic candlesticks and organic cotton bunting to light up ten Christmas dinners, five Hanukkahs and one intense pagan winter solstice ceremony. We picked up wine and cider at local farmers’ markets, and sweet alpaca cardigans. And if we didn’t have time, we can do it until the end of December.
But we sometimes forget Montreal’s public markets – a sure bet – to do some serious holiday shopping; for gretons, turkey, potatoes, truffles. And you can find it all with a hot chocolate or glass of mulled wine in hand… Bonus if you bring a woven basket to shop in the snow.
You can also buy your tree from Père Michel, sign up for a tree ornament decorating workshop (Sunday, December 14) or a floral centerpiece workshop (Saturday, December 13), and take the kids to a Christmas story and hot chocolate activity.
At the Terrasse Hivernale and Marché des Fêtes at Marché Jean-Talon, you can grab a raclette cheese sandwich and find chestnuts or ice cider for your Christmas table.
We’ve also heard that this Saturday, December 13, Santa Claus will be visiting the market from 10am to 1pm…
Practical info
Where: Jean-Talon Market, 7070 Henri Julien Avenue
When? December weekends
Friday, December 5 – 1pm-8pm
Saturday, December 6 – 10am-5pm
Sunday, December 7 – 10am-5pm
Friday, December 12 – 1pm-8pm
Saturday, December 13 – 10am-5pm
Sunday, December 14 – 10am-5pm
Friday, December 19 – 1pm-8pm
Saturday, December 20 – 10am-5pm
Sunday, December 21 – 10am-5pm
How? free admission for the market
floral centerpiece workshop / saturday december 13 – book here
A great deal! And happy holidays,