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It’s the not-to-be-missed event of the winter. The Quartier des spectacles hosts the 25th edition of Montréal en lumière for about ten days.
Winter in Montreal also means hockey. To plan a night at the Bell Centre or scout other fan destinations, check out our 8 great cities to enjoy NHL ambience.
As always, there is no shortage of things to do downtown, including multiple culinary experiences, a Luminothérapie circuit of works from here and abroad, a variety of indoor shows, a skating path at the Esplanade Tranquille, a Ferris wheel, and electrifying evenings like the Nuit Blanche.
On the foodie side, the festival puts international chefs and artisans in the spotlight. As part of the Bonnes Tables Air France, about twenty chefs are hosted in several Montreal restaurants, including Emmanuel Pilon, Julien Royer, Glenn Viel and Caterina Ceraudo.
Do you have the American Express Cobalt® Card to pay for your meal? This card is a favourite among points enthusiasts, since it earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases categorized as restaurants.
The Quartier Gourmand, located at the Maison du Festival, offers culinary demonstrations, tastings, round tables and happy hours.
Several special events are also on the program, including the Air France 90th Anniversary Dinner on February 23 and 24 at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ).
Pull out your best ski suit: the Igloofest Montréal electronic music festival, the coldest in the world, is back. Diplo, The Blaze, REZZ, Eric Prydz, Armin van Buuren, Marc Rebillet, Partiboi69 and many other artists take part in this 16th edition. The Old Port hosts four weekends of electro music starting January 18, 2024.
About twenty après-ski evenings are also on the menu in Old Montreal, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Artists include Fabrikate, Coco & Breezy, Luke Alessi, lNVōKER and Surf Gang.
As for families, they can take part in the free Igloofête activities on Saturdays, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The first 2022-2023 season of the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink was a real success! Located in the heart of downtown, this 1,500 m2 facility welcomed more than 250,000 skaters, according to the City of Montreal.
Haven’t had time to try it yet? Lace up your skates and enjoy: the rink is open Sunday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Starting December 16, Disco Fever returns on Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. It’s the go-to activity for those who love skating and dancing to disco.
A counter located at the Repaire in the pavilion offers skate rentals.
The International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA) is a great opportunity to discover the work of artists in film, video and the visual arts.
This 42nd edition, showcasing the latest films on art and art films from about forty countries, takes place in theatres and online (from March 22 to 31, 2024) on the ARTS.FILM streaming platform.
Available year-round, this virtual space offers hundreds of films, often exclusive to Canada. From the comfort of your living room, you can choose between documentaries, fiction, biographical films and discussions.
The immersive experience Dreaming of Asia should delight those who love the cultural heritage of China and Japan.
The world of OASIS immersion, a 2,000 m2 multimedia space, invites you to discover several settings, including China’s most famous painting, Along the River During the Qingming Festival.
To round out this roughly 80-minute visit, you can take part in a tea tasting workshop and a sake tasting workshop on Saturdays and Sundays.
This exhibition could give you travel ideas for Asia. Here are a few suggestions to inspire you:
Poutine Week is back for a 12th edition. During this event, participating restaurants create special poutines, and you can vote for the best one on the official website.
As every year, there is something for everyone: braised beef, fried chicken, duck confit, chorizo, shrimp, and Tex-Mex, Texan or vegan takes.
The 2023 edition crowned La Belle Tonki, in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, with its original Tonkiyaki poutine… with octopus, inspired by Japanese street food.
The Montreal Bike Show and the Triathlon Show are the two big annual gatherings for bike fanatics, who flock there every year to discover the latest products and trends. A test track is available to try the bike of your dreams.
This 22nd edition, with nearly 200 exhibitors, lets you admire superb bikes and gather valuable information to plan your cycling vacation in Quebec or abroad.
Many conferences and demonstrations are also on the program.
Rod, pole and hand puppets come to life alongside masks, robotic shapes and other creative objects during the 19th edition of the Festival de Casteliers.
As every year, this performing arts event presents shows for children and adults in several theatres.
In Outremont, many puppets made by different artists are displayed in the windows of local businesses.
It would be a shame to miss out! The nature parks offer equipment rentals so you can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to (re)discover Montreal’s trails.
Rentals are even free for children 17 and under who live in the Montreal agglomeration (limited-time offer).
Reservations for snowshoes and skis are required at the following nature parks:
You can also sign up for ski lessons à la carte for adults (14 and up) and families (6 and up).
This immersive exhibition has already won over many cities, including Toronto, Las Vegas and Tokyo. Lighthouse Immersive Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios offer you the chance to travel through images and music into the world of Walt Disney animated films.
Frozen, The Lion King, Encanto, The Little Mermaid and many other productions are featured in this event, which launched in Montreal on December 15.
With VIP and Premium tickets, you can even wear a bracelet that lights up in different colours as the projections change.
This exhibition should make you want to book a getaway to Walt Disney World Resort.
Here are our suggestions to plan your trip and earn points:
Montréal en lumière is a beloved winter event, running from February 29 to March 10, 2024. Tempted by a few out-of-the-ordinary nights to discover the various activities? Humaniti Montréal, a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, is one of the festival’s hotel partners.
If you choose this property, you will earn Marriott Bonvoy points on your reservation.
Not familiar with points? The ultimate goal of these rewards is free hotel nights, along with other perks such as free breakfasts.
In Canada, the easiest way to stock up on Marriott Bonvoy points is through credit cards. American Express offers two cards linked to this loyalty program:
Each of these Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offers an attractive welcome bonus and the ability to earn points on all your purchases.
Our ultimate Marriott Bonvoy guide will help you better understand this loyalty program and its benefits.
Savings are this way:
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