Anne-Charlotte PasseraENJOY DECEMBER WITH SOME FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN MONTREAL
Finally, December is upon us, the most festive month of the year!
As always, in Montreal, there are plenty of family activities to do in and around the city and for every budget. Since it’s also the time of year where most of us have a few days off, why not make the most of them by spending quality time with each other. If you have family and/or friends coming over to visit you during the holiday season, here are some family activities you can do in and around Montreal in December.
SPECIAL FAMILY EVENTS IN MONTREAL
It wouldn’t be December without some Christmas family activities.
Christmas Markets
Kick-off your holiday season with a visit at a Christmas Market. The main one on l’Esplanade de la Place des Arts will take place from November 20, 2021 to January 2nd, 2022. Another one will be located at the Atwater market starting November 25th through December 19th, 2021. You can even bring your dog! Learn more about it HERE.
La Marche de Noel aux Flambeaux
Personally, this is our own family activity tradition that we’ve been doing since 2013, the year that my father passed away. Actually, he passed away only 2 weeks after we did this activity for the first time. So it has a special meaning to us or should I say to me. It’s my way of remembering him and a fun way to kick off the holiday season.
No matter what reasons you do this activity for, all proceeds go to Moisson Montréal (a food bank for Montreal) and that’s a good thing. So dress very warmly as it can get very cold. The walk is long as it’s all about stop and go. Either it’s to listen to Christmas carols offered by different choirs or to dance to the sound of some creative musicians using random balconies as their own personal stage (a good way to staying warm). Let yourself be rewarded for your effort with a free show by The Brooks in Parc Lafontaine and then watch some pretty cool fireworks sparkling away on some festive music.
It’s always held on the first Saturday of December at 7pm. So this year (hopefullly), it will be held on December 4th, 2021. It starts at Parc des Compagnons (Mont-Royal/Cartier), where you can enjoy some pre-walk music, goodies to snack on and some fire pits to keep you warm. It’s also the place where you can buy your candle for $2 or bring a non-perishable good in exchange for a candle.
Try using public transportation to get there as parking can be a nuisance.
Learn more about this event HERE.
Illumi
After the annual lantern show in the Botanical gardens (October activity), here comes Illumi from Cavalia.
Immerse yourself in Monet (New)
I’ve always liked to diversify the activities I do with my kids when they were growing up and I haven’t stopped. Hopefully, this exhibition will surpass your expectations and thrill your kids.
So what is this? It’s an immersive exhibition with Monet’s artwork projected on big screens. Pretty neat don’t you think? Having gone to the one on Van Gogh and then on Picasso, it’s really an interesting experience. If you go on Tuesdays, it’s cheaper. Book your tickets HERE.
Going to the movies
I wouldn’t normally put going to the movies as part of monthly family activity in Montreal unless there was a special event happening, and there is! It’s happening in select Cinéplex Theaters this month for 3$ on a Saturday morning with some holiday movies such as The Grinch.
Check HERE if your local theater is participating.
Portraits and Brunch (New)
At the Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal, there is an exhibition going on until January 30th, 2022: The World of Yousuf Karsh, A Private Essence.
The exhibition features renowned images of political figures, including Fidel Castro, Winston Churchill, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Nelson Mandela, Eleanor Roosevelt and Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
mbam
To make this exhibition more interesting for kids, find a kid-friendly book that talk about some of these legendary people. Read up on them with your children. Then during the visit, make your child try to recognize some of these people.
Did you know that on Wednesday evenings, starting at 5pm, there is a discount to get in? Why not go there during the Christmas break? Also, during the Christmas holidays, the entrance is FREE to the regular collections.
Also, check their website for information for weekend family activities.
Brunch at Les Enfants Terribles
Before or after the expo, grab brunch or lunch at Les Enfants Terribles, located on the last floor of Place Ville Marie. There are actually 2 elevators to take you there. It’s best to reserve ahead as it gets very crowded for lunch, especially on weekdays. The food is very good as there is something for everyone. The service is great and the view is the best in town.
Redpath Museum Family Activities
Have you been to the Redpath Museum on the McGill campus? Yeah, me neither. My father took mine there though and loved it. Apparently, they have discovery workshops for kids every Sunday. It cost $10 (+tax) per kid and free for 1 parent with a child. HERE is the schedule.
INDOOR FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN MONTREAL ($$)
Need to find exciting ways of keeping warm while still leaving the house? Here are a few family activities you can do in Montreal that will require you to open up your wallet.
TAZ SKATE PARK
Book a private class with your child (or not) to learn how to use a Skateboard or BMX. Try some inline skating and scooter for $46 an hour for 1 person and 15$ for an additional person. The entry to the park is including in the price. Rental equipment: $12.
There is fun to be had by all and you don’t have to take a class nor do you need to own equipment as you can rent some there. Check out the TAZ website for more information.
This could make for a fun Christmas gift.
Olympic Experience and Dim Sum
The two have nothing to do with each other but you can pair them together nonetheless.
We actually checked it out (look at our Instagram stories for November) this month.
We had a lot of fun and the Bobsleigh was our favourite part. I was terrible at my ski jumping tryouts. You’ve got to keep your feet together when you jump from bump to bump.
The second part of the experience is all about the history of the Olympic Games and our Canadian athletes. I learned some fun facts there, such as:
- Female athletes started competing in the Olympic Games in 1900 with Tennis and Golf.
- The original Olympic flag got stolen after WWI only to be returned in 2000. Personally, I would have loved more details about this.
Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve watched the Olympic Games. My mom was a big fan of ice skating and track and that just stuck with me. The 2022 Olympic games will be in China, and I will most likely have to get up early or stay up late to be able to watch some of the live-action.
It’s a fun family activity to do in Montreal, especially when it’s rainy or cold outside. The coatroom is free, and you can leave all of your belongings there. You can bring a change of shoes if you need to.
The cost is 39$ for a family of 4 and right now they have a deal with the Science Center of Montreal. So when you go to the Olympic Experience you get a 2 for 1 ticket to the Science Center of Montreal for every purchased ticket. Guess what we will be doing next January?
DIM SUM
As the Canadian Olympic house is located only 1 subway stop from Chinatown (totally walkable), why not reward yourself with some Dim Sum at RUBY ROUGE after or before the activity?
This is the only place I have been to for Dim Sum and it gets very crowded. A lot of Montreal families like to go there. I don’t know if there are other places like it in Montreal, do you? It isn’t Dim Sum to me if there isn’t a trolley.
In case you didn’t know, Dim Sum is the Chinese version of North American brunch. I just love them dumplings so much!
Afterward, stop by at the local G and D Supermarket. It’s easy to miss as the entryway is shared with a restaurant and the supermarket is located underground. There, you’ll find everything you need to make Wonton soup or Dumplings. Junior made us some Korean Soup Dumplings. Check out the recipe and the ingredients you’ll need to make them.
Paint some ceramics at Céramic Café
Enjoy a coffee while your child paints a teacup for his or her grandmama. It’s always a fun family activity to do in Montreal when it’s cold or rainy outside and you can just gift the work of art your child created.
We’ve only been to the one on St-Denis, so here is the LINK.
Get a family massage at Strom Spa
Did you know that at Strom Spa on Nun’s Island you can get a massage with your child and enjoy the water circuit? Yep, you read that right. Why not do this as part of a family activity gift?
Massage
It’s for children under 16 and of course, you have to get a massage with them in the same room, duh! It’s an expensive experience, but pending on the type of medical benefits you get with your company, you can get the massage partially reimbursed. Learn more about this activity HERE.
Spa
On select Saturday mornings, you can bring your child to the spa with you. It’s about time. In Iceland, they start at a very young age as it’s just that common. Finally our children can enjoy it as well. Read HERE for more information.
IPO Amusement Park
Why not try out an indoor amusement park right outside of Montreal? This is a great place for your little ones to run around freely. They are even having a Frozen theme party this month. More information HERE.
Montreal Science Center
If you do the Olympic Experience, you might get a 2 for 1 ticket for the Science Center. Why not go and check it out then? Even if that’s not the case, it’s always a great place to take the kids as they always have some great exhibitions there. You can also check out the Imax while you are there to rest up.
Children’s Museum Laval
A please touch museum, where kids can learn and pretend to be anyone they want to be when they grow up (limited to 21 jobs but who cares). Who doesn’t like to pretend to be a cop or firefighter?
Check out their website for more detailed information.
FREE INDOOR FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN MONTREAL
If you read our November issue, you’ll know what those family activities are:
- Swimming at Père Marquette
- Ice Skating at Père Marquette
- Participating in a FREE activity at your local library.
OUTDOOR FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN MONTREAL IN DECEMBER
In select parks across Rosemont, the city is allowing us to rent material such as ice skates and sleds for FREE. Check the website of your local park to see what they are offering this season.
Ice skating in parks
We already have snow, we had some ice, I’m guessing that by the time Christmas hits, we’ll be able to do some ice skating in the park.
The ones we like the most for this family activity in Montreal from December to February are Maisonneuve, Lafontaine, and Molson. The activity is FREE but you need to bring your own ice skates. At Parc Molson you might be able to rent some for FREE. Otherwise, you can buy them at Canadian Tire or on Kijiji. Don’t forget to give them a new shine before using them again this season.
Old Port of Montreal
How about skating with the Old City of Montreal as a backdrop? It’s $20 for a family or if you get the season pass before December 6th, it’s $49. It’s even open until 1a.m on December 31st, and makes it for a great spot to watch the fireworks!
Somewhere in Villeray
Somewhere in the neighbourhood of Villeray, you’ll find a back alley that has been turned into an outdoor ice skating rink. Whether you just want to ice skate or play hockey, it’s accessible to everyone, but at limited numbers at a time. But first, you need to find it!
Jingle Sleigh
At the Pelican Park, there is a very decent hill to slide down (FREE) or you can get more thrills at the Lac des Castors on top of the Mount-Royal ($$). Pretty much, any park with a hill can do the trick. Pick up an inexpensive sleigh at Canadian Tire.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF MONTREAL IN DECEMBER
Unfortunately, not all family activities are free but despite that, with some planning, you can still do some that are pretty great. They can even make for some interesting Christmas gift ideas as well.
Horseshoeing in Parc du Mont-Tremblant
Try yourself to some horseshoeing in the beautiful Parc du Mont-Tremblant. It’s FREE to get in the parc and if you don’t own a pair of horseshoes you can rent some for $18 for the whole day. Access is FREE for kids under 17.
Skiing at Mont-Saint-Bruno
It’s going to be that time of year when skiing season starts. Located only 30 minutes outside of Montreal is Mont-Saint-Bruno. It’s so close to the city that you can see it from the top of the slopes. Neat, right?
This is a perfect place to go to if you are a beginner or if you want to teach your kids how to ski. They have different packages available to make the experience a little more available. This too could make for a nice Christmas gift.
Ice Skating
If you haven’t figured it by now, Ice skating is a big part of keeping busy during the cold winter months in Canada and a great family activity to do in December. I strongly suggest investing in a good pair for yourself and buying some used ones on Kijiji for your little ones. I’ve had mine for 10 years! Just remember to give them a new shine before the season starts. Generally, in sporting stores, you can do just that for about 15$.
Domaine de la Forêt Perdue
I’ve been wanting to go, just haven’t made it up there yet as it’s 2 hours away from Montreal. Hopefully, this year we’ll go and check it out.
They have a 15km trail of ice going through the forest for you to enjoy and sweat. It cost $18 but you can also do some horseshoeing there and say hello to some pretty cool farm animals. I believe you also get something free with the entrance fee. You can bring your own ice skates or rent some there for 10$.
Skating in a Maze (NEW)
Starting on December 18th, 2021, ice skate on an outdoor water maze, 2h30 away from Montreal and 30 minutes from Ottawa.
Granted it’s a bit far to go there for the day from Montreal, but why not make a week-end out of it and discover Ottawa in the process?
At Eco-Odyssée, which is a great place to go to during the summer to canoe on the water canals, you can also discover them in winter by ice skating.
You’ll need to bring your own ice skates and snacks, but a Food Truck will be on site. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 14 for 3 hours of pure skating bliss. There are between 2,5km and 5km of trails pending on the temperature to skate on.
Book your tickets HERE.
Mini Pony Mirabel
Groom and walk a miniature horse. The dressing up part is not my cup of tea but what a great activity to do outside the city this winter. Don’t you think? More details HERE.
Laserforce Drummondville (NEW)
Discover the must-see indoor entertainment center in Quebec. A playful place for all children.
Between laser tag and mini golf, you will find a colorful maze of games on 3 floors. It includes slides, tubes and different courses to entertain and exhaust your children for several hours.
Buy your tickets HERE.
Christmas Market in Québec City
Attend a German-inspired outdoor Christmas market in Québec City. Why not make it a weekend out of it? The old town is beautiful this time of year and is a great way to start your holiday season on the right foot. Read HERE to prepare your little getaway.
Rent a cabin Au Diable Vert
Something different to consider. Renting a yurt, a cabin in a tree or a hobbit home sounds like all fun and games, but what if I tell you that there is no electricity, no running water, and the toilets are outside, would you dare? Of course you would! Just don’t forget the Scrabble in the car and your flashlight!
Check for availabilities and accommodations HERE.
Ps: You can even do some horseshoeing there and dogs are allowed for FREE.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Looking for Christmas gift ideas for your kids or the family? For inspiration, read about our suggestions HERE.
Until next time, we wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season. Remember to make the most it and cherish those memories; they last a lot longer than material objects. Don’t worry either, some of these activities suggested for December can be done in January and others throughout the year.
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