The annual Montréal en Lumière festival is officially underway, with Nuit Blanche 2021 scheduled for March 13.
It won't be the same whimsical winter carnival we all know and love due to COVID-19 restrictions pushing most of the event online. So, the question is: Is it worth going this year?
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The jury's still out on whether the virtual component of this year's Nuit Blanche will live up to our IRL expectations, but one thing's for sure — we won't miss standing in line in below-30-degree temperatures.
There's also something compelling about night owls everywhere taking advantage of the city's arts and culture scene in their cozy clothes — all from the comfort of their couches, with their fave libations in-hand.
What to expect online
Montreal's contemporary art museum, aka MAC, is hosting a virtual art workshop you can do from home with paper and coloured pencils, inspired by its exhibit, La machine qui enseignait des airs aux oiseaux.
If rope play is more your thing, you can watch live performances by international artists at Nuit des cordes.
Spectrum Productions has also teamed up with the Nuit Blanche team to bring you Cinéma au Palais, a series of short films produced by young autistic filmmakers.
You can even play a virtual escape game with friends in the dead of night with The Ghost of Pointe-à-Callière, where you'll solve puzzles "that will unfold the legend of the Museum’s ghost."
If you want to have an at-home dance party with your favourite person, the yearly 24 Hours of Vinyl party has you covered with an all-night marathon of DJ sets à la Boiler Room.
If none of these sound fun to you, Nuit Blanche is hosting over 30 free virtual activities to choose from, so there's bound to be one that piques your interest.
What to expect in-person
Montréal en Lumière has set-up a free outdoor site in the Quartier des Spectacles with light installations that comply with COVID-19 public health rules.
There's even the iconic big Ferris wheel.
However, while many of the installations are open for public enjoyment on March 13, don't expect it to feel like a typical Nuit Blanche.
Everything shuts down at 7 p.m. in time for curfew and the Ferris wheel limits each gondola to two people. Face coverings are mandatory.
