The best things to do this weekend in Montreal show just how much there is to do in the city as we approach the holidays: More holiday markets, live jazz shows, seasonal cocktail projects, parties, film screenings, and more pack the line-up.

Use this list that we update every Thursday as a guide when you're looking to plan something romantic, for the family, with your friends, or to do on your own and meet new people in Montreal. There's more than enough things to do to go around.

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Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Thursday

🎁 The inaugural OG1 Holiday Market features 15 of the city’s emerging artists, designers, and tastemakers—many of whom operate without physical storefronts.

🐈 Bar de Courcelle celebrates the season with winter cocktails, festive karaoke at 10 PM, and custom Christmas ornaments by Shaune Thompson—plus cat sweaters in all sizes (S to XXXL) for extra holiday cheer.

🎵 Orchestre Métropolitain presents Holiday Melodies, a convergence of Québécois, American, and European traditions with jazz and classical styles.

💃 The festive spirit meets the art of drag as The Jingle Belles take the stage at 132 Bar Vintage for an evening of colour, laughter, and stunning performances.

📽️ Immersion Mont Blanc x Baby chronicles the journey of three women who completed the 175 km Tour du Mont Blanc in four days.

📚 Explore discounted books, engage in panel discussions, and support independent voices with radical ideas and critical stories at Co-op Bar Milton-Parc.

Friday

✨ Quartz Co. hosts the inaugural Le Beau Weekend Christmas Market at their Mile-End store with an impressive lineup of local brands.

🍻 Join The Word Bookstore at 5:00 p.m. for an evening of mulled wine and good company—it's their annual glögg party!

🎙️ Carmen Lagala, a Vermont hall-of-fame athlete turned celebrated New York City comedian, headlines shows at the Comedy Nest.

🎧 PHI Centre presents Habitat Sonore: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, an immersive listening experience featuring the new album Wild God.

Saturday

😋 The Terrasse Gourmande comes to Jean-Talon Market with the help of Bar Bello, mulled wine, eggnog cocktails, hot chocolate, raclette sandwiches, and polpettes. Enjoy live music from a DJ set, plus activities like meeting Santa.

🎄 Montreal Plaza presents its Marché de Noël 2024, featuring collaborations with M iels d'Anicet, Patisserie Clementine, Au Pied de Cochon, and others.

☕️ Saturday Café returns to Pas Mon Style's studio for a $30 pottery workshop to create or paint your own mug, plus lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, and Kate’s cookies.

🍷 The Mini Salon des Vins Naturels returns to Peluso Beaubien for a festive edition, featuring tastings of 2023 vintages and a lineup of talented Québec winemakers.

🎥 Société des arts technologiques (SAT) partners with RIDM and Hubblo to present an immersive dome screening of the short films Ceci n’est pas une cérémonie and Texada.

🏒 The Montreal Canadians face off against the Washington Capitals.

🌲 Located at Parc National d’Oka, the Indigenous Winter Market's holiday shopping will be a celebration of artistry and culture.

✨ Following its successful debut, Marianne Fest returns with a magical holiday market in the heart of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve at Église Très-Saint-Rédempteur.

🎁 This weekend marks the first of two for the beloved Christmas market at the Centre de la nature de Laval.

Sunday

🎷 The Jazz Sit-In at Magpie Magique invites music lovers to enjoy live jazz , plus an open jam session for brass players—no cover charge, with drink specials available.

🖼️ The MMFA’s modernized Inuit art galleries, developed with Inuk artist asinnajaq, showcase works celebrating Inuit Nunangat's heritage and unique rhythms.

🍽️ Celebrate the holiday season at Royalmount’s cozy Christmas Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., hosted at Le Fou Fou, with exclusive vendors.

🎼 The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts celebrates the life, music, and poetry of Leonard Cohen.

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

Bar Bello transforms into a festive wonderland with Vacanze di Natale from Dec 3 to 30, blending the magic of Christmas with the groove of Italo Disco.

The Scent Supper Club by Chimie offers an innovative five-course dining experience on Dec 7 with dishes inspired by curated perfumes.

Haute Saison hosts the inaugural Caviar du Saint-Laurent evening, an intimate dining experience featuring a refined menu by chefs Clément Boivin and Yanrick Bernier, on Dec 5.

Wills Beer is running a winter gear drive—donate coats and more and get a free Montreal-themed graphic tee by @whaaatstudio (poutine, bagel, and maple syrup designs available, S-XXL). Bonus: beer discounts included!

Joy Hill's vineyard boutique will be open from noon to 6 PM on Dec 7 for a selection of summer cuvées and the latest vintages—perfect for holiday parties! 🍾

Bar Bisou Bisou's next Open Kitchen pop-up takes place on Dec 8, showcasing a curated Mexican menu by Alejandro Ramirez Huerta of Buvette Chez Simone with Sherry and tequila cocktails.

Don’t miss the special pop-up at Cafe Kuya featuring a halal menu of burgers, Chicken Mac, and Ube Milkshakes on Dec 7.

Foxy kicks off the holiday season with Lunchs des Fêtes from December 11–13 and 18–20, a festive 3-course menu for $65.

Boxermans transforms into a nostalgic trattoria for one night on Dec 7, welcoming two special guest chefs to serve pasta, fine wine, and cherished memories before its official closure on December 21.

Join Entre-Deux for “Sous La Nuit,” a cocktail evening series on Dec 7, from 10 PM until late. Sip expertly crafted cocktails and enjoy the late-night ambiance.

Mignon celebrates its 3rd anniversary with $10 classic martinis and unlimited steak frites until December 8.

Ketiw announced an updated menu featuring sandwiches exclusively at lunch and new dinner dishes like drunken noodles and curry, launching Dec 5.

Mon Lapin continues its tradition of festive December lunches, offering à la carte delights—including passatelli romagnoli—Thurs to Sat from Dec 5 to 21.

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