This week’s lineup is a little like Montreal itself: loud, layered, and unapologetically overstuffed.

Your feeds are likely full of all the holiday markets rolling out their finest handmade, heartwarming wares. We've collected a few here to explore, but you can expect a lot more in the days to come. There are also some gift guides to explore in our weekly round-up.

As for those music festivals we mentioned, the last of the year's events are now taking place, with events to experience the works of emerging artists taking place. As for enough smoked meat to make your cardiologist sweat? You'll have to read on to find out.

Let’s dig in.

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

Thursday

🎸 M for Montreal has begun, an essential catalyst for the Québec music industry for both unheralded and emerging bands until November 23.

🏳️‍🌈 Canada's original LGBT2SQUEERfilm festival, image+nation, is back for a 37th edition in Montreal theatres.

🎺 ProjetMILL’s new cultural spaces at 1900 rue Wellington will be hosting jazz jams from 8pm to 11pm with five artists.

🎭 The Opéra de Montréal presents Hamlet by Ambroise Thomas, a five-act adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic with subtitles in French and English.

Friday

🎨 Artists Kevin Ledo and Jean Labourdette invite the public to visit their new Mile End studio for an afternoon of art, drinks, and conversation. Browse rare, sold-out, and special edition prints—a unique opportunity to find holiday treasures. RSVP required for full details.

🎄 The 4th Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal begins, featuring over 40 local artisans, a festive food and drink lineup, artistic performances, and more.

⛸️ The Esplanade Tranquille in the Quartier des Spectacles has reopened its winter skating rink and multifunctional pavilion with a café, restaurant, and more.

🚂 The 2024 CPKC Holiday Train will stop in Montreal from 7:00 to 7:30 PM, featuring a free live concert and collecting food and monetary donations for local food banks.

🎄 The Montreal Art Centre & Museum's annual Christmas Artisan Market returns with handmade gifts, festive drinks, delicious treats, movie screenings, and live music from Nov 22 to 24.

🎵 Mundial Montréal returns for its 14th edition, featuring 33 artists across the city, programming for over 400 delegates, and opportunities for networking, conferences, and roundtable discussions.

Saturday

📓 Expozine 2024 returns with a dynamic programme of activities across multiple locations. The main Expozine fair will be held on November 23 and November 24 at Église Saint-Arsène, near Jean-Talon metro.

🎅🏻 The annual Santa Claus Parade takes place with festive floats and hundreds of participants, marching down René-Lévesque Boulevard from Bishop Street to Saint-Urbain Street at 11 AM.

🎁 The fourth edition of the Holiday Market by Collectif Créatif Montréal takes place at Locoshop Angus on November 23-24, 2024 with local creators, unique handmade gifts, and products.

🇯🇵 The Japanese Holiday Market takes place on November 23rd and 24th from 12 PM to 4 PM, featuring various Japanese vendors offering holiday products.

🧢 Clothing brand Parc is hosting a pop-up shop with clothing, sick beats, lots of beer, and food.

Sunday

📽️ The Montréal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) has begun screening 100+ films made by filmmakers from all over the world, as well as Virtual Reality, masterclasses, and debates.

🇬🇷 Check out the 10th Edition of the Montreal Greek Film Festival, showcasing contemporary Greek films that capture the depth and diversity of Greek society.

🛼 The SAT will host its first-ever roller skating party on Nov 24 with roller skate classes and rentals—it's an 18+ event that will feature bar service.

🎁 Bazar Verdunois is a local initiative promoting creators, artists, and artisans, and its holiday market's on to offer some unique shopping with a diverse lineup of exhibitors showcasing handmade crafts, vintage items, and gourmet goods.

Free groceries, right here. 🛒

As a reader of The Main, you’re eligible for a free $40+ grocery basket. All you need to cover is a $6 delivery fee.

How? We’ve partnered with Lufa Farms to bring fresh, sustainable groceries directly to your door. Bonus: Your first basket will have everything you need to make an awesome BLT.

Don’t miss out—baskets are available while supplies last.

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.

Bistro La Franquette celebrates its 4th anniversary on November 24 with a special collaboration menu by chef Josh Crowe of Monkland Taverne.

Lester’s Deli is unveiling the world’s biggest smoked meat sandwich on Nov 30, plus a smoked meat sandwich eating competition, and the chance to win prizes like the Lester’s Championship Belt and a $250 gift card—all with free entry.

The Smoothie Fight returns to Messorem on Nov 22, featuring 16 international breweries and 20 collaborations.

Maps is celebrating its first anniversary on Friday, Nov 22, with plenty of pizza, wine, music, and a special $5 porchetta plate.

Nevski is staying open late on November 23 and 30 with kitchen service, exclusive bar specials, and a DJ spinning good vibes until 2 AM.

The 14th annual BBQ celebration at Club Social Philémon takes place on Nov 24: Expect food, drinks, and music crafted by many friends 'n' big names.

Join a family-style dinner party by pasta pop-up Caramia at Polari on Nov 24 featuring delicious pasta and wines, with two seating options at 5pm or 8pm.

Dorsia, the elegant 1980s-inspired restaurant in Old Montreal, is expanding its social club offerings with the opening of Bowie on November 21.

Join Star Bar on Nov 23 for a cake sale by talented local bakers for mutual aid fundraiser supporting a Palestinian and a Lebanese family.

Haute Saison is hosting an ephemeral wine bar on the next two Fridays of November (22nd, and 29th) from 5 PM to 10 PM, featuring wine by the glass and a festive menu.

Barroco is hosting the Lagarde brothers from Cascada Marbella, Spain, on November 28: Featuring a four-course menu, reservations are limited.

Barks & Bubbly on Nov 29 benefits Rescue All Dogs with a night of Prosecco, an open bar for wine and beer, and delicious bites.

🎁 Support local stories, gift local media 🎁

This holiday season, why not gift some exclusive merch that celebrates the iconic corner store culture of dépanneurs? We've got cozy tees designed by Montreal's own Mr. Sign and screen-printed right here in town.

Every purchase helps support future content! Don’t forget: If you’re a paying supporter of The Main, you get 10% off everything in our shop.

Give a gift that makes a difference. Ain’t nothing like this out there!

Shop the collection & support local media. ❤️ 📰

Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

Hunter, chef, knife-wielder, cigar smoker. Bossa's owner and chef Daniel Lo Manto tells us what his essentials are—some good gift ideas in here. Read more.

“As long as I am here, I might as well try to make things better.” We interviewed the artist Gabrielle Laïla Tittley, aka Pony, about her work. Read more.

Need to know where to book a group? With the holidays coming, we've got a guide for where you can plan a big (and impressive) dinner party. Read more.

Nostalgic family-run spots that haven’t changed since the ‘60s, newer gen pizzaiolos—the scene in Montreal has never been better. Read more.⁠

Why is there a humanoid duck in Montreal? Here's the story of Lewis Mallard, a performance artist that's been spotted around town. Read more.

Have bike paths gotten out of hand? A local group's taking legal action against the city to stop what they say is negatively impacting communities. Read more.

How low-income earners are struggling for affordable housing: The Rover reports on a worsening situation as demand increases. Read more.

At long last, construction work on Sainte-Catherine Street is taking a winter break—most of the underground infrastructure work is completed. Read more.

Why are taxes always going up? Are there ways to reduce our dependence on property taxes? Yes, experts say, but they come with sacrifices. Read more.

Montreal-born chef Michele Forgione weighs in one where to find the best poutine in the city, from classics to twisted versions. Read more.

Want to sponsor this newsletter, or know someone who would?

Reach thousands of Montrealers and support our content at the same time: Contact us for more info.

And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

If ever you catch something we should know, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram.

👋 Masthead: Philip Tabah, Founder & Head of Creative / Jean-Philippe Lauzon, Co-Founder & Head of Tech / Daniel Bromberg, Co-Founder & Head of Operations / JP Karwacki, Managing Editor / Amber Spector, Social Media Manager