Montreal Christmas -- or Noël -- events and activities as well as shopping options are plentiful, as per usual, and 2012 promises yet another great Christmas season. Whether you love or loathe the holidays, celebrate with or without family, it can be a really fun time of the year, even solo! Tailor a Montreal Christmas -- or humbug season -- that suits you and your lifestyle with a little help from your Guide to Christmas in Montreal.
1. Santa Claus Parade
Photo © Evelyn Reid
A Montreal Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the city's annual Santa Claus Parade, a tradition since 1925. Better known as the Défilé du Père Noël, the Montreal Santa Claus Parade typically features thousands of delighted kids waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, with about 15 floats proceeding along downtown artery and top shopping destination, Ste. Catherine Street, from Fort to St. Urbain.
Find out when and where the Santa Claus Parade is held and view pictures of a previous edition.
2. The Other Christmas Parade
Photo courtesy of Plaza St. Hubert
A low key alternative to Montreal's largest Christmas parade (see above) is Montreal's second largest Christmas parade, the Plaza St. Hubert's Défilé de Noël -- French for "christmas parade" -- a lesser known annual event held usually a week after the popular downtown Santa Claus parade.
3. Montreal Christmas Fireworks
Image courtesy of the Quays of the Old Port
An annual tradition at the Old Port, every Saturday night sky in December lights up with TELUS Fire on Ice, a chance to catch some fireworks and skate at the same time.
4. More Montreal Christmas Events
Peter McDiarmid / Getty Images
Christmas tree-picking, museum exhibits, nativity scenes, high-budget productions, low-budget gems, the bulk of Montreal's favorite Christmas-themed events are assembled right here.
Attend one of these Christmas events in November or skip ahead to December's holiday musts in Montreal.
5. Montreal Gift Ideas
Photo © Rebecca Munroe
The annual conundrum. What to buy? I feel your agony, so I thought I'd offer up some delightful inspiration ... à la Montreal. All of my gift ideas, which cover both budgets big and small, are either made by Montrealers, distributed by Montrealers, serviced by Montrealers and/or sold by Montrealers. Either way, a Montrealer is involved in some manner or other.
6. Montreal Christmas Trees: Pick Your Own
Photo courtesy of Geropa Farm
When was the last time you went to the country, spotted the ultimate tannenbaum, and chopped it down yourself? I've hand-picked, for your convenience, a few pick-your-own Montreal Christmas tree farms 30 to 90 minutes from Montreal that offer more than a quick conifer chop, so bring the whole family along for an afternoon of holiday fun.
Have a home too small for a big Christmas tree? No problem. This live Christmas tree species won't take too much room.
7. Ready, Set, Shop
Photo by Flickr user Kalleboo
Montreal Christmas shopping options are many. Overwhelmingly so. But let's face it. We work long hours. We run ourselves ragged in the name of raising good kids. We cram our hearts out to ace exam season. We bite our tongues as local weather's you-suck factor grows exponentially with every week. We're tired dammit! Holiday shopping pressure is the last thing we need! So I sifted through Montreal's myriad bazaars and craft fairs to find the best bets for people with varying budgets and limited time to shop. And for those new to town or just passing through, my Montreal shopping centre rundown will likely be useful.
