If the past two weeks weren't enough an indication, this weekend cinches it: The holiday rush is on. Even when we thought we'd collected just about every artisan market for gift ideas, we're still finding out about and adding new ones. To top it all off, more and more pop-ups featuring everything from holiday menus, piles of panettone, and red 'n' green cocktails are flowing in.

And now, Quartier des Spectacles not only has its massive Christmas market up and running, but Lumino (aka Luminothérapie) fires up this weekend.

As you read through this weekend's edition of the Bulletin, there's tons to explore, and if you're someone who wants nothing to do with all the decorations, shopping, and festivities around this time of year?

We've got events and stories here for you, too. ❤️

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

Thursday

🎷 ProjetMILL’s new cultural space is hosting a Jazz Jam at 8 p.m., bringing together musicians and jazz lovers for an evening of spontaneous performances.

📚 Salon du livre de Montréal gathers book enthusiasts to explore the largest collection of French-language books in North America until Dec 1.

💡 Lumino transforms winter nights in the Quartier des Spectacles with nearly 20 luminous installations, video projections, and performances from Nov 28 onward.

💃🏾 Join Uma Gahd, a contestant from Season 5 of Canada’s Drag Race, for a free viewing party of the show at Bar Le Cocktail. Admission is free, but tip the host!

Friday

🎁 Le Marché des Artisans Récupérateurs' 40+ locals' eco-friendly, handcrafted gifts made from 75+% recycled materials provide zero-waste holiday shopping.

⚡️ Stimulant Magazine celebrates the release of their newest issue with live sets by The Vauxhalls and The Satisfactory; tickets are $10, and venue details will be shared with ticket holders on the day of the event.

🎅🏻 Marché de Noël at l’Abbaye d’Oka offers a festive shopping experience in a historic setting with handcrafted gifts and artisanal products for the holidays.

Saturday

🎁 The Marché des Fêtes at the Auditorium de Verdun brings together 90+ local artisans for a weekend of festive shopping for handmade, unique gifts.

🎄 McCord Stewart Museum kicks off the holidays with a free pyjama day featuring storytelling, family-friendly tours, workshops, live songs, free hot chocolate, and more alongside the return of Ogilvy’s iconic Christmas mechanical windows.

🩰 Lunar Halo by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan at Théâtre Maisonneuve fuses ethereal choreography, video projections, and the music of Sigur Rós.

📖 A holiday pop-up at Phoenix Books features local vendors offering holiday gifts alongside a curated selection of books.

📱 The Phi Centre's immersive exhibition Coded Dreams entices visitors to unlock the doors of the imagination through two unique and captivating narratives.

Sunday

💥🔨 The Christmas market at Forges de Montréal offers unique gifts, live blacksmithing demonstrations, free herbal tea tastings, and a festive atmosphere.

🇻🇳 Chợ Đêm MTL, SUPERNAT, and AVQ celebrate Vietnamese culture and the holidays with eight vendors, a curated Vietnamese menu plus music, and more.

👗 The McCord Stewart Museum's new exhibition Costume Balls: Dressing Up History explores historical opulence through 40+ surviving garments and more.

🎻 The Montreal Bach Festival celebrates its 18th edition with over thirty concerts featuring Bach and other composers until Dec 8.

🎄 The Imaginarium Museum's gone into holiday mode with festive, immersive spaces of sparkling garlands, themed rooms, and photo ops.

✨ Interior design tips, straight from a local expert

Transform your space with expert advice from Guillaume Ménard, co-owner and designer at MRDK. Discover how a balance of textures, lighting, and statement pieces like ECARPETGALLERY rugs can make your home uniquely yours.

Start small and tell your story through your space—read the full guide here.

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.

Don't forget: Lester’s Deli is unveiling the world’s biggest smoked meat sandwich on Nov 30, plus a smoked meat sandwich eating competition.

More than 1,700 products from the four corners of the globe will be presented at the 14th La Grande Dégustation de Montreal from Nov 28 to 30.

The Plateau's got a new supper club on Nov 29: Zama, a Mayan-inspired fusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisine, plus Afro-House and Latin beats.

Melk Café’s opened a third location in the Sun Life Building, now open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Barista Fou offers a caffeine-fueled day on Nov 30 with coffee demos, free tastings, holiday activities, and giveaways with local businesses and festive fun.

Buck a Shuck at Bar de Courcelle offers $1 oysters with the purchase of a glass or bottle of wine (or $1.50 each without) on Tuesdays from 5–7 p.m.

La Magie des Fêtes transforms Marché des Éclusiers into a Christmas village with décor, local artisans, and holiday-themed food and cocktails.

The specialty café Even is now in soft opening mode, and if their branding's any indication, it's going to be a swish spot.

After nearly five years in the Plateau, Le Pontiac has closed, citing economic challenges in the restaurant industry and a shift in focus by its owners.

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

Sauvage in Old Montreal has officially reopened after some electrical issues, unveiling a Mediterranean-inspired menu crafted by Executive Chef Sary Hussein.

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

Haute Saison is hosting an ephemeral wine bar on Nov 29 from 5 PM to 10 PM, featuring wine by the glass and a festive menu.

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

TT Café's hosting a “Brew and Renew” session from Dec 6 to 8, a community vintage clothing pop-up with sustainable wardrobe swaps and affordable finds.

Check out Le Rusé, a cozy neighbourhood café in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie opened by a team of Montreal restaurant and design alumni.

Celebrate two years of Mange-Tout on December 5: Enjoy oysters, tastings with select suppliers, and plenty of delicious surprises at a special Mange-2 party.

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.

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

🎁 We've done the research, and this is our gift to you: Your ultimate guide to every holiday market worth checking out in and around the city. Read more.

Montreal’s DIY music scene is in crisis. Here's Hua Li 化力 on how racialized artists can thrive in today’s experimental, indie music scene. Read more.

A gift guide from a local photographer: Audrey-Eve’s curated picks from local businesses make a great gift guide for creatives on the go. Read more.

Chinatown's got a revived nightlife spot with the opening of Leonor, which takes over the original address of Le Mal Nécessaire. Read more.

Gibeau Orange Julep has been a part of Montreal since 1932—here's The Main's definitive history of our beloved casse-croûte orb. Read more.

Who is Le Pro des DVD? Meet the film hawker covering Montreal with his handiwork, and selling copies in the tens of thousands. Read more.

Is there anything more iconic than our bagels? Could our bagels be the one thing that captures the most imagination from around the world? Read more.

NDG's Empress Theatre has finally received a destination after years of disuse: A mixed-use space that, one way or another, will incorporate culture. Read more.

Protests in Montreal reached the eyes of international media this past weekend after fires broke out and arrests are being made. Read more here, and here.

We’re on the verge of setting another warmth record as temperatures here remain above-seasonal into the waning days of November. Read more.

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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