Christmas markets are popping up all over the place, so MTL Blog has made you a list of the best ones that are coming up this holiday season. 13 is seen as a bad number, but not when it comes to this list! Find out which holiday events made the cut below! Visit MTLBlog for more headlines. It seems every day now there is a new announcement of yet another Christmas market or must-see holiday event around the Montreal area. How does one keep up with them all? With that in mind, we took a look at the best markets and holiday festivities in and around the city. We wanted to keep it close so we made sure all of the spots on the list are no further than a 1.5-hour drive outside of Montreal. Unfortunately, that also means no easy excuse for a road trip. There is no one right way to celebrate the holiday season. Some love the shopping or a chance to listen to live music, others just want an excuse to be in front of a fire on cold winter nights. But whatever floats your holiday boat there is something for you in the area. From Christmas themed pop-up bars and decorated holiday trains to European style markets and high-end designer goods, Montreal has covered it all. We do love any reason to host a party or festival and luckily, the winter months are no different. Keep reading below to find out 13 of the best holiday festivities you should try to visit this year. Illumi Village of Lights & Christmas Market View this post on Instagram AVIS IMPORTANT – ALERTE MÉTÉO – OUVERTURE D’ILLUMI REPORTÉE AU VENDREDI, 8 NOVEMBRE En raison des conditions météorologiques extrêmes incluant de fortes rafales allant jusqu’à 100 km/h qui ont soufflé sur la grande région de Montréal dans les dernières heures, certaines des installations d’Illumi ont été endommagées. Nos équipes travaillent à réparer les structures lumineuses afin de vous accueillir dès le vendredi, 8 novembre dès 16h00. Tous les billets achetés jusqu’au 7 novembre seront honorés. Dès le 8 novembre, les détenteurs de billet pour les dates du 1er novembre au 7 novembre pourront se présenter sur le site Illumi à la date et la plage horaire de leur choix avec leurs billets d’origine afin de vivre l’expérience Illumi. À bientôt! L’équipe Illumi. ❄️ IMPORTANT – WEATHER ALERT – OPENING OF ILLUMI POSTPONED TO FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8 Due to extreme weather conditions including strong gusts of up to 100 km/h that blew over the greater Montreal area in the last hours, some of Illumi’s installations were damaged. Our teams are working hard on repairing the light structures in order to welcome you starting Friday November 8, from 4:00pm. All tickets purchased through November 7 will be honored. As of November 8, ticket holders for November 1 to November 7 will be able to show up on the Illumi site with their original tickets at the date and time of their choice to experience Illumi. See you soon! The Illumi team A post shared by Illumi (@illumicavalia) on Nov 1, 2019 at 11:12am PDT When: November 8 - January 5 Where: 2805 Boulevard du Souvenir, Laval This is the largest village of lights in the world and comes complete with a Christmas tree that stands as tall as Statue of Liberty. Need we say more? Find out about all the amazing light installations! Miracle Christmas Pop-Up Bar View this post on Instagram Nothing like spending your Sunday night with Miracle 🤗🎅🏽🎄 A post shared by Miracle Pop-Up (@miraclepopup) on Dec 30, 2018 at 2:28pm PST When: November 22 - December 26 Where: 131 de la Commune O. Decked out in the most festive of Christmas decorations, this is the Montreal pop-up bar to visit to get your holiday spirit revved up. YOu can take pride wearing your ugly Christmas sweaters while sipping specially concocted cocktails. Check out this article for more info! CP Holiday Train Stops In Montreal View this post on Instagram The CP Holiday Train completes its 20th journey across North America, raising more than $1.3 million and collects 200,000 pounds of food. #HealthyDonations #MakingADifference #20Years 🚂🥫🎅 A post shared by CP Holiday Train (@cpholidaytrain) on Dec 22, 2018 at 8:12am PST What: Charitable fundraiser featuring a train decked out in holiday lights and free concerts When: November 26 Where: Montreal Ouest EXO station; 6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Beaconsfield EXO station: 8:20 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CP's Holiday Train is making the rounds again this year. The US and Canadian trains will be making stops in Montreal where you can listen to free live music and enjoy the train's decorative light show. Find out more about the train here! Nutcracker Market View this post on Instagram Vous aussi prenez un selfie avec le hashtag #marchecassenoisette et courrez la chance de gagner 4 billets en loge pour assister à la première du ballet Casse-Noisette | Take a selfie and use the hashtag #nutcrackermarket and get a chance to win 4 tickets to attend the premiere of The Nutcracker! A post shared by Les Grands Ballets (@grandsballets) on Nov 25, 2015 at 1:53pm PST When: November 28 - December 8 Where: 1001 Jean-Paul Riopelle; Palais des Congrès You can shop while doing some good! Ten percent of sales will go to the Grands Ballets’ Nutcracker Fund which allows sick and underprivileged children to attend a free performance of The Nutcracker. With over 100 vendors to choose from, you can get all of your holiday shopping done in one spot. More info! Atwater Christmas Village Market View this post on Instagram Markets to keep the soul warm, fire to keep the body warm! Village de Noël de Montréal!! ° ° ° ° #traveler #travel #fire #markets #local #montreal #quebec #canada #explore #adventure #wander #wanderlust #life #hippie #journey #winter #2018 A post shared by Tyler (@traveling_hippie402) on Dec 24, 2018 at 4:00pm PST When: Every weekend from November 29 - December 22 Where: 138 Avenue Atwater; Atwater Market Atwater Market is most Montrealers favourite spot during the holidays when it transforms into a festive Christmas village. There are 50 makeshift chalets serving up everything from locally produced art to food. Learn more! READ MORE: Montreal Ranked The #3 City In North America For New Jobs & Here's What's Most In Demand Noël Dans Le Parc View this post on Instagram C’est ce soir que ça se passe avec @rednextlevel @eman_premier et @brownmtl 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 A post shared by 🦌 Festival Noël dans le Parc (@festivalnoeldansleparc) on Dec 22, 2017 at 7:30am PST When: November 30 - December 24 Where: Place Émilie-Gamelin; Parc Des CompagnonsDe Saint-Laurent; Parc Lahaie Noël Dans le Parc takes place in three parks around Montreal. You can buy your Christmas tree, listen to live music or warm up in front of a bonfire while sipping mulled mine. Read more about the three Christmas markets! Lanaudière’s Christmas Market Circuit View this post on Instagram Les Marchés de Noël Joliette-Lanaudière du 1er au 22 décembre 2017 au centre-ville de Joliette 💕💚💛❤️💕 A post shared by Marché de Noël Joliette (@marchedenoeljoliette) on Oct 3, 2017 at 5:59pm PDT When: Late November through December Where: Lanaudière (Joliette, Terrebonne, l'Assomption) Being able to tour through three European style Christmas markets makes this hour and a half drive from Montreal more than worth it. There is also tons of free entertainment to go along with all the shopping. Read more! Souk View this post on Instagram Le SOUK est heureux de dévoiler la sélection officielle de sa 16e édition | 27 nov. au 01 dec. 2019 | #souk16 #soukMTL⠀ ⠀ The SOUK is happy to announce the official selection of it's 16th edition | 27 nov. to 01 dec 2019 | #souk16 #soukMTL A post shared by soukMTL (@soukmtl) on Sep 26, 2019 at 6:07am PDT When: November 27 - December 1 Where: 1001 Rue Lenoir, RCA Building For high-end designer goods, finely made jewelry and other upmarket finds, Souk is where to go. This is the ultimate in the Montreal design scene and you won't find these products in any mall. Check it out! Salon Des Métiers D’Art Du Québec View this post on Instagram Faites le plein d’art d’ici à Plein Art, le Salon des métiers d’art de Québec, jusqu’au 11 août 2019 : 140 artisans Espace 400e, Vieux-Port de Québec. #PleinArt2019 #metiersdart #finecrafts #quebecoriginal #craftshow #quebec #artiste #ecoresponsable #slowdesign #slowfashion #ecofriendly #slowlife #artisan #faitmain #handmade #tourisme #vieuxquebec #pleinair #pleinart #developpementdurable #sustainable #creative #creation #artistequebecois A post shared by Métiers d'art du Québec (@metiersdart.ca) on Aug 10, 2019 at 6:00am PDT When: December 6 - 22 Where: 800 Rue de la Gauchetière O.; Place Bonaventure Everything here has been crafted by Quebec artisans - over 400 artisans come from around the province for this 11-day event. No matter what you're shopping for, you're sure to find something to take home. Read more about this event! Le Village Illuminé Desjardins Du Village Québécois D'Antan View this post on Instagram Une soirée incroyable dans un univers magique de Noël 🎄. Un activité qui vaut le détour , mais habillez vous chaudement ! 😊❄️ #villagequebecoisdantan #villageilluminé #quebec #hiver #Noel #toddler #toddleractivity #proudmom #familytime #gustinebabycarriers #portage #mamansadeptes A post shared by Maelle 🌷 (@maeellleee) on Dec 22, 2017 at 6:13pm PST When: Select days through December December 6 - 7December 13 - 14December 20 - January 2 From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Where: 1425 Rue Montplaisir, Drummondville, Quebec Over 25,000 Christmas bulbs light up this little town only an hour away from Montreal. Local artisans sell everything from local wines and leather products to some of the most delicious baked goods you've ever eaten. Check out all the activities! Marché de Noël Végane View this post on Instagram Nous y serons ! We will be there! Samedi 15 décembre de 11h à 17h. Saturday, Dec 15, 11am-5pm. Maison du développement durable, au rez-de-chaussée. Montréal. Métro Saint-Laurent. www.marchenoelvegane.com 🎄🌿💚 A post shared by Les produits de MaYa (@lesproduitsdemaya) on Dec 3, 2018 at 7:18am PST When: December 7 - 8 Where: 50 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest; Maison du développement durable You don't have to be Vegan to enjoy this all-vegan market. From soaps to pastries, cosmetics to clothing - everything sold here is made without any animal exploitation. Find out more! Etsy Montréal: Marché Des Fêtes - Holiday Market View this post on Instagram Nouvelle production de la dernière semaine pour mes prochains marchés des artisans! #fallmarket #marketpreparation #marketprep #craftfairprep @lionbrandyarn #knittedhats #knittedhats #knittedcowls #knittersofinstagram #accroestyquebec #etsyseller #etsymonteregie #etsyshop #etsymontréal #marchedesartisans @marcheartisansstpaulemard A post shared by De laine et de mailles (@de_laine_et_de_mailles) on Oct 27, 2019 at 11:31am PDT When: December 13 - 15 Where: 4353 Rue Ste-Catherine Est; Théâtre Denise-Pelletier This is the perfect Christmas market if you're looking to shop for unique, locally produced crafts. There are over 100 Quebec artisans who will be showcasing their products. See the Facebook event page! Montreal's Christmas Nordic Square View this post on Instagram Joyeuse #Journée514Day! Qu’est-ce que vous aimez le plus de Montréal en hiver ? Pour nous, c’est explorez le magnifique Vieux-Montréal avec son architecture et ses commerces ❄️ ☕ ⛸️ 🛷 A post shared by Montréal en Fêtes (@montrealenfetes) on May 14, 2019 at 1:48pm PDT When: December 19 – 31 Thursday – Friday: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.Saturday – Sunday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. Where: Jacques-Cartier Square In the middle of Montreal's Old Port, the pedestrian street of Jacques-Cartier turns into a winter wonderland with bonfires, carolers and every type of Quebec comfort food a person could want. Read more about it! Which Montreal Christmas events will you hit up this year?
