A low key alternative to Montreal's largest Christmas parade is Montreal's (arguably) second largest Christmas parade, the Plaza St. Hubert's Défilé de Noël (French for "christmas parade"), a lesser known annual event held the final weekend of November, usually a week after the popular downtown Santa Claus parade. Consisting mostly of a series of antique firetrucks with Christmas-related elves and fairy types running around entertaining the kids, it's safe to say that even though the floats are more modest than what's typical of the downtown Santa event, this parade can be more interesting for kids because 1) it's less crowded, 2) the parade characters are more likely to interact with the children, and 3) there are all sorts of free activities going on after the parade, which makes it a very affordable family day trip, one that includes a opportunity to meet Santa, his elves and assorted helpers as well as catch some holiday-inspired street theatre, indulge the kids in a pony ride, a drive in one of the antique firetrucks and more.
Défilé de Noël in 2009
Plaza St. Hubert's Défilé de Noël is scheduled to run Saturday, November 28, starting at 11 a.m. at the corner of Bellechasse and St. Hubert, ending around noon at the corner of Jean-Talon and St. Hubert. View a map of the parade route. There's also several outdoor activities after the parade Consider sticking around the Plaza in the afternoon to give the kids a chance to meet Santa and see the antique firetrucks up close. Usually, these post-parade events happen at the corner of Bélanger and St. Hubert but in 2009, they'll a little more spread out because organizers are making Plaza St.Hubert car-free for the day until 5 p.m.
Getting There
Beaubien Metro
