A 25,000-Light Storybook Christmas Town Opens This Week Just 1 Hour From Montreal
- The Village Québécois d'Antan in Drummondville, Québec transforms into an old-timey Christmas scene, the Village Illuminé Desjardins, beginning December 6.
- Enjoy a carriage ride through the illuminated settlement or shop in an artisan market.
- The village is only one hour from Montreal.
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Just an hour's drive from Montreal lives the Village Québécois d'Antan, a replica of a quaint Quebec village during the 1800s and 1900s. But during the holiday season, visitors are treated not only to customs from yesteryear, but also a perfectly magical Christmas experience that even Dickens would think was poetic. The Village Illuminé Desjardins in Drummondville lets you experience Christmas traditions from days of yore with over 45 indoor and outdoor activities set along a street lined with two dozen vintage buildings lit by over 25,000 lights. And the holiday celebrations are set to kick off this week, on December 6.
The whole town is created to ignite your Christmas spirit with sleigh rides, costumed actors regaling you with storytelling, live music, a visit to Santa's Kingdom, singing, dancing, and outdoor games.
No trip to The Desjardins Christmas Village is complete without a visit to the market where artisans sell everything from jewelry and leather goods to alcohol and mouth-watering pastries.
Grab a mulled wine and a fresh-from-the-oven donut and take a break by one of the outdoor firepits or channel your inner kid and join in on a game of street hockey or a group snowball fight.
Yes, there will be snowball fights.
This year the village is introducing the all-new Desjardins Festive Square where artists will show off their skills in performances that are meant dazzle. There will be fire-eaters, dance troupes, and gospel choir (to name a few) entertainment throughout the evenings.
This is one of the few Christmas villages that come with an entrance fee. Tickets for adults are $25 and only cover the visit. But there are so many activities and costumed actors that it's well worth the cost.
Just be aware that if you want to enjoy a snowy sleigh ride through the town, there will be an extra cost.
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If you really want to dive into an old school Christmas there are meal packages available for a traditional supper serving up Quebec favourites like tourtière, cretons, pâté and onion confit, turkey and stuffing, and fresh homemade bread.
Prices for a visit and the meal start at $51.
If you're a resident of Drummondville you can get an additional 30% off for the opening day, December 6, and on December 13.
The village is further offering up a way to ring in the New Year with music, dancing, and a feast fit for kings. Space is limited so you may want to reserve your spot now.
Le Village Illuminé Desjardins du Village Québécois d'Antan
When: Select days through December
December 6-7
December 13-14
December 20 to January 2
From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 1425 rue Montplaisir, Drummondville, Quebec
Cost: Entrance: $25
