As much as we love the high vibes around this time of year, holidays can be stressful, too. We might have those fantasies of our childhood in mind, but in trying to relive them, we can often put pressure on ourselves. Maybe we're just dealing with the paradox of choice, or maybe it's just how the season often requires us to keep track of and pay attention to a greater number of responsibilities than usual.

Whatever it is, this issue of the Bulletin is all about helping you get into the script. We've all the usual trappings of things to do, tons of events, and stuff to help you take a breather, but we've also got lots of guides for what to watch during the holidays, how to plan a get-together with ease, where to go for NYE, and—most of all—a guide that support local businesses and helps you nab last-minute gifts.

We got you, and you got this. 💪

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

Thursday

🎁 CBC Quebec hosts its annual Make the Season Kind Holiday Market to support the Food Banks of Quebec with over 20 local vendors and artisans.

✨ Celebrate local artistry at the holiday market showcasing the creative talents of Fondation PHI employees and special guests with a diverse array of creations.

🛠️ The Salon des métiers d’art du Québec takes place at Palais des Congrès de Montréal with 200 exhibitors from Québec, Canada, and beyond.

Friday

💝 Collectif Créatif Montréal hosts its fifth annual holiday market in partnership with the SDC Hochelaga-Maisonneuve at Théâtre Denise-Pelletier.

🎤 Join La Belle Tonki for Karaoke Night, starting at 11 PM and rocking until 3 AM with great food, drinks, and nonstop music—come sing your heart out.

🎅🏻 Holidays take over Plaza St-Hubert with activities and animations, perfect for finding unique gifts from over 400 local shops or enjoying a seasonal treat.

💥 Celebrate the holiday season with two weekends of local shopping with PUCES POP at Église Saint-Denis.

Saturday

🎅🏻 Join a Santa Crawl starting at 2pm from Bar Bello and stopping at spots throughout Little Italy—powered by Divine Cannoli at both the start and finish!

🎉 The FringeMas Cabaret & Variety Show at MainLine Theatre features festive entertainment, holiday nog, and an ugly sweater dress code, plus non-perishables collected for the H.O.P.E. food bank.

🍺 Join Bar Wills for their 2nd Winter Market, featuring local vendors like Telamona Magic, Frame Moi, Saturday Cafe, and more, plus Dispatch Coffee to keep you warm.

🖌️ Raymond Biesinger's doing an art print pop-up at Pulp Books in Verdun—your only chance to shop his prints in person while enjoying great books and coffee.

🍻 Brasserie Harricana's got a Christmas Market this weekend too—shop unique gifts from local artists and artisans while enjoying their delicious beers.

🎄 It's the 3rd edition of the Village de Noël on Laurier Ouest, featuring Santa visits, festive animations, live music, local artisans, and gourmet treats.

🎁 Osmo x Marusan's market returns, featuring local creators and a mix of ceramics, prints, objects, jewelry, vintage clothing, Japanese food, and music.

🎄 Celebrate the season at Jean-Talon Market transformed for the holidays with shopping, ornament-making workshops, seasonal food, and more.

🎭 Théâtre Sainte-Catherine presents Scrooge: A Christmas Clown, a bilingual reimagining of A Christmas Carol with live music, comedy, and more.

Sunday

🎅🏻 Don’t miss Gia's 3rd annual Marché Festif featuring holiday cookie boxes, artisanal goods, gourmet treats, live music, face painting, and a visit from Santa.

🛍️ Le Marché Floh's got SNOW MARKET on Dec 14 and 15—shop unique creations from local artists and designers like @bunnyhousemtl, @pauledward, and more.

🎞️ Join Total Crap and Le Cheval Blanc for an 80s-themed special featuring the worst (and funniest) of TV and film, with proceeds benefiting Dans la rue.

🪴 Check out KAMALI, a home and lifestyle boutique located in Quartier DIX30, dedicated to showcasing global craftsmanship.

🍷 Bonheur d’Occasion hosts a Marché des Fêtes featuring live music, a special holiday menu, and discounts on wine bottles to stock up with.

🎸 Join a fundraiser and clothing drive for the street outreach group Les Nocturnes at Ptit Ours with performances by Clayborne, godsgreenearth, and Tall Shadows.

✡️ The Montreal Jewish Museum is hosting its annual Hanukkah Market with a curated selection of goods from local artisans and makers.

🎁 One Magic Moment returns for its 8th edition at Yoko Luna, hosting 130 children from underserved communities for a special holiday celebration.

Give the gift of dining at the city’s best restaurants

There’s no better gift than an unforgettable experience, and Montreal’s top-rated restaurants excel at creating nights to remember.

Give a gift your special someone will always remember with digital gift cards from TREATER: Select a restaurant, choose an amount you want to offer, and watch their face light up twice—first when they receive it, and then after they experience it.

Best of all? TREATER gift cards do not expire and can be redeemed at any of their 75+ partner restaurants.

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.

Support a sweet cause on Dec 15 at KazaMaza by donating to arcenciel Lebanon—then exchange your donation for an empty box and coupons to fill it with desserts from top pastry chefs like Patrice Demers, Fisun Ercan, and more.

Celebrate the holidays with Grumpy’s Bar on Dec 14, featuring food by the staff, discounted drinks from 9 PM to midnight, and live music by Gern.

There's a hidden Christmas cocktail bar under Kwizinn that's open Thursday to Sunday from 6 PM to midnight throughout December.

Celebrate Café Big Trouble's new menu with a pyjama party on Dec 13, featuring great food, vibes, and a raffle supporting Dans La Rue—win gift cards from Turbo Haus and Café Big Trouble while doing it for a good cause!

Barroco hosts a special evening with Maison Louis Jadot on Dec 12, featuring exclusive cuvées by the glass and bottle, a vigneron on-site, and an à la carte menu.

Cariño is at Vinorama on Dec 13 for a special Tapas & Vinos pop-up featuring 5 classic Andalusian tapas dishes paired with 5 Spanish wines.

La Scacciata, an Italian scacciata café, softly opens in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest on Dec 17, 18 and 19.

Don't forget Bar Bello has transformed into a festive wonderland with Vacanze di Natale until Dec 30, blending the magic of Christmas with the groove of Italo Disco.

Buboy’s Filipino brunch is back for the holidays, an all-you-can-eat feast on Dec 15 and 22—reserve your spot now before seats fill up.

Knuckles teams up with @etnapastificio to bring you All-You-Can-Eat Cacio e Pepe every Tuesday for $20—one plate at a time, dine-in only, and a two-hour limit.

Fantôme is at Espace Rodier for the Les Halles design fair from Dec 13 to 15, where they’ll be serving coffee alongside Cidre Intrus.

The winter terrasse of Belvu Hors Piste returns on Dec 12 with an Alpine-inspired ambiance, warm drinks, and comforting dishes like raclette.

It's time for Bagels & Brunch at Arthurs (Place Ville Marie) on Dec 15, featuring DJs @casslevy and @uptowntrav_, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Lauren Lighter Fund at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.

Tittle Tattle’s 2nd Christmas Party: Dec 15 till late will feature special guests Zack Rubin and Camila Osorio, mulled wine, and a very merry (and tipsy) Santa.

Get into the holiday spirit with Doggy Santa at Dreamy on Dec 15, featuring Christmas coffee bags, festive donuts from Deux Becs, and support for Rescue All Dogs.

Vinvinvin hosts Parté Vigneron·nes featuring multiple cuvées by the glass, vintage wines, and new releases from local winemakers on Dec 15.

Guinness has an Old Port pop-up called World of Guinness from Dec 11–14 with storytelling, a “Pour Your Own Pint” experience, and exclusive merch.

The second edition of CHOP UP POP UP brings a collaborative tapas-style menu blending Chinese and Filipino flavours by Buboy and host Dobe & Andy on Dec 16.

Star Bar's hosting Simpsons-themed trivia on Dec 18, at 8 PM—bring a team of 2-6 for three rounds of fun with prizes including drinks, pizza, and other fun stuff.

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.

Good party planning is a skill. Here's a guide to the perfect Friendsmas holiday affair, from locals who know the ins and outs of hospitality. Read more.

Don't watch the usual holiday schlock. Instead, consult a list of alternative Christmas movies we got from none other than Cinéma du Parc. Read more.

This isn’t your basic countdown party roundup. We've gone through everyone's socials to pull together a curated hit list NYE 2025 parties. Read more.

How panettone's made according to a Montreal baker: It's a long and arduous process, but Mayara Palma Martin from Gia says it's worth it. Read more.

I coulda been a contender! Remember when we made headlines worldwide for our ugly Christmas tree? Why didn't that become a tradition? Read more.

Meet the Julius Caesar of Café Cléopâtre, Johnny Zoumboulakis, who's been watching over the Main since 1976. This is his story. Read more.

We visited the factory floor of Milo & Dexter, a multihyphenate company that's made a name for itself through farm-to-garment goods. Read more.

A former Montreal chef wins Top Chef Canada Season 11! Chef Chanthy Yen was crowned the winner during a finale filmed in Montreal. Read more.

This doesn't bode well: Champs Sports Bar in Montreal will prohibit dancing and karaoke due to noise complaints from residents. Read more.

$1.5 billion, or $76 million every day. That's how much the Canada Post strike is affecting small retailers in the country, including Montreal. Read more.

A new neighbourhood? The Molson Brewery site is going to be developed into a new neighbourhood spanning roughly 1.2 million square feet. Read more.

Laissez-les parler français: After an outcry over funding, Quebec puts up $10 million to reopen French classes for newcomers. Read more.

Three months too late? Since opening three months ago, Royalmount isn't seeing the hype it wants, and expects it'll take a year to get there. Read more.

Have you seen The Sticky, the retelling of the time thieves stole 3,000 tons of maple syrup? It's pretty good, and the story behind it is even better. 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