Sainte-Catherine - Events

Nutcracker
These toys that soar to 20 metres in height are an expression of solidarity intended to help residents brave the winter on Rue Sainte-Catherine! They may even change their look during the course of the winter. Yet another reason to visit and revisit Rue Sainte-Catherine!

Giant Christmas tree
Pedestrians are invited to climb the 70-foot tree and take in the panoramic view of Montréal’s iconic commercial strip. While you’re perched atop the footbridge, why not immortalize the moment by posing for a few snapshots!

A presentation by XP_MTL
To find out more (In french).

Skating enthusiasts will soon be able to take advantage of the new refrigerated skating rink at Square Cabot. Located just outside the Atwater metro station exit, the rink is part the winter program aimed at adding some exciting new elements to the city’s parks this winter.

The 5000-square-foot skating rink will be free of charge. It will feature lighting and music to make the experience that much more pleasant! For further information (in french).

Click here (iin french) for complete details on all the activities offered in Ville-Marie this winter.

Alone, with a partner or with family, all Montrealers are invited to enjoy a leisurely outing downtown and to safely discover its colourful array of display windows. Between December 17 and 21, residents are invited to vote for their favourite display by going to the @XP_MTL Facebook page. Vote for a chance to win numerous prizes!

A presentation by XP_MTL.

For further information.

Since November 2, Montrealers have been invited to encourage downtown businesses and restaurants for a chance to win their purchases! Participating is easy. Simply keep your bill issued by a downtown store, download it to the platform, and play the quiz game for a one in 10 chance to win your purchases! Enter now for an opportunity to win!

Presented by Montreal centre-ville and arrondissement de Ville-Marie.

For complete details

Starting on November 15 and continuing until February 15, 2021, let yourself be transported by the magic of lights on Rue Peel and turn back the clock to discover the origins of the clans of the Kanien’keha:ka! More than simple Christmas decorations, Lights on Peel brings the focus to bear on Montréal’s time-honoured millennial history, in close collaboration with First Nations.

An initiative of Montréal centre-ville in collaboration with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, KORLCC, and with support from Ville-Marie.

For further information

Photo credit: Kyle William's art

From November 21 to December 28, set out in search of Santa Claus on a free and exciting trail that’s sure to delight adults and children alike. Christmas-themed objects have been concealed in downtown store windows. Using the “Follow Santa Claus” pass, you can help Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ensure that all children get to celebrate Christmas.

By participating in these activities, you’ll have a chance to win a prize, with more than $20,000 worth of prizes available! Also look for the Toy Workshop, the Santa Claus Post Office, and the Santa Claus sleigh on Rue Sainte-Catherine!

A coproduction of Montréal centre-ville and Dotti Productions

For further information

This fall, make the most of your visit to downtown to unwind in the zones set up especially for you! Located between Collège LaSalle and Square Phillips, these rest areas are the perfect spots to sit and relax or savour a snack while you chat with friends. Their original designs and eye-catching colours are sure to grab your attention!

Also take the time to enjoy artistic performances (In french) on the street and try getting around in a rickshaw (In french) free of charge!

These initiatives are offered courtesy of XP_MTL

Photo : @XP_MTL

Stop by downtown Montreal to explore new interactive installations by XP_MTL on Rue Sainte-Catherine between rue du Fort and Square Phillips.

All summer long on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, discover Real, XP_MTL’s ambassador and the official downtown dog dancer! With his groovy friends, they’re always ready to play tricks, but above all to dance everywhere on Ste-Catherine street! Also, discover an array of animations that will give a smile to the youngest and the oldest!

For more details.

La Sainte-Catherine and downtown Montréal invite you to ring in the holiday season! A thousand and one activities await visitors and residents alike during the holiday period. The following three resources are must viewing for anyone intent on making the most of this time of celebration.

Destination centre-ville: Everything you need to know about the holiday season

Destination centre-ville, an organization dedicated to the development and promotion of downtown Montréal, offers the 2019 Christmas Activity Guide. You’ll find everything you need to know about shows, exhibitions, hotels, boutiques and stores, concerts and activities on the holiday season programming schedule. Looking for inspiration? The organization also offers excellent suggestions for family activities and indoor activities for extremely cold days.

Tourisme Montréal: Unique experiences

Eager for a new downtown adventure over the holidays? The Tourisme Montréal Web site has dozens of ideas from which to choose. Whether you’re mad about museums and culture, a heritage and architecture buff, or a fan of shopping, festivals or Montréal nightlife, the Web site has a little something for everyone. People thirsty for discovery will find original activities, to go along with tours and guided visits.

XP_MTL: Spotlight on choral singing

Until December 22, downtown Montréal will echo with the sounds of choral music during the Chorales des fêtes event, orchestrated by XP_MTL. This celebration of music will feature performances at Village XP_MTL, Central Station and the McCord Museum by the likes of Les Petits Chanteurs de Laval, Ensemble Vocal Ganymède, Sympholies Vocales, Ensemble Alkémia, Chœur Ciné-Jazz, Jazz Pop & Talons Hauts and Les Caroles de Noël, a troupe of actors and singers.

Happy holidays in the heart of downtown!

Without the traditional Santa Claus Parade held downtown, the holiday season in Montréal just wouldn’t be the same! Don’t miss this enchanting event, which gets underway Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m.

Santa Claus and the Good Fairy – played for the third straight year by actor and TV personality Vanessa Pilon – will lead the parade, alongside their delightful elves, who’ll have plenty of surprises up their sleeves!

For the first time, the event will take place on Boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, between Rue Guy and Rue Saint-Urbain. It will see a total of 17 floats parade through the downtown core.

The Cirque du Soleil float promises to dazzle children and adults alike, much like the float featuring delightful children’s singer, Ari Cui Cui, and the floats of singers Brigitte Boisjoli, Christian Marc Gendron and Yoan, who will revisit some Christmas classics, to the great pleasure of parade-goers. Also along for the festivities: Arthur L’aventurier and a host of talented street artists and marching bands from all over Canada, as well as well-known mascots.

The parade gets started on the corner of Rue Guy at 11 a.m. and ends on the corner of Rue Saint-Urbain at about 1:30 p.m.

Don’t miss this grand Christmas celebration complete with music, dance, singing, surprises and magic!

For complete details, please visit the Destination Centre-Ville Web site. Also consult the 2019 Christmas activity guide to make sure you don't miss any holiday activities in downtown Montreal.