Place des Arts: The Heart of Holiday Magic in Montreal

In December, Place des Arts transforms into a veritable enchanted kingdom where the magic of the holiday season is brought to life! Within our walls and all around us, come enjoy festive experiences that are sure to thrill young and old alike.

Light up the town!

North America’s most dazzling urban event is back for its 16^th edition! Until March 8, 2026, LUMINO transforms the downtown area into a vast series of interactive light installations. While strolling along Sainte-Catherine Street West, have some fun with Lumipano, an installation inspired by Lite-Brite toys that lets you create ephemeral light works by arranging colored tubes. The installations light up from dusk until 11 pm every day.

Christmas Market

Also, until January 4^th, don’t miss the opportunity to do some shopping at The Great Montreal Christmas Market, on Place des Festivals. Visit 40 chalets staffed by local or regional artisans and enjoy musical and theatrical programming, including the signature show Christmas in Montreal.

Indoor Shows for Christmas

The holiday spirit is also keeping things warm indoors at Place des Arts, thanks to a host of shows that combine tradition and innovation, making the magic of Christmas truly palpable.

In addition to The Nutcracker—always a must-see—, Fred Pellerin’s traditional holiday tale (sold out), and the sublime A Charlie Brown Christmas (also sold out), many other gifts await Montreal audiences in Place des Arts’ various venues.

Music is in the spotlight… and there’s something for everyone! On December 5 and 6 at the Cinquième Salle, Isabelle Boulay promises to warm hearts with her ethereal voice, weaving together Christmas classics and French chanson gems, taking the audience on a magical musical journey that celebrates the intimacy of the holiday season.

Then, on December 10 and 11 at the Maison symphonique, Handel’s Messiah comes to life under the baton of maestro Rafael Payare. Choir and orchestra join forces in a monumental sonic fresco that recounts the story of Christ with striking power and energy.

In a completely different vein, the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra makes its way to the Maison symphonique on December 21, jazzing up the holidays with its timeless swing music.

On December 22, also at the Maison symphonique, Rufus and Martha Wainwright continue their family tradition, celebrating the magic of the holidays while carrying on the musical legacy of Kate and Anna McGarrigle, transforming every note into a gesture of love and hope, benefitting medical research.

Returning this year with a new show, Parapapam brings together three great voices (Mélissa Bédard, Christian Marc Gendron, and Vladimir Kornéev), a 35-piece orchestra, and a choir of over 100 singers to celebrate Christmas. From December 26 to 28, at the Maison symphonique.

And we haven’t forgotten about the kids! On December 27 and 28 at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, Santa Claus and his elves take on artificial intelligence in a new version of the musical show, Nicolas Noël, where the ancestral magic of Christmas fights to survive in the age of drones and augmented reality. Nothing could be more exciting!

In the Holiday Spirit

Although not directly Christmas-related, these other shows at Place des Arts are also just as festive!

Don’t miss Pub Royal, a musical comedy created by Les 7 doigts de la main and inspired by the timeless hits of Les Cowboys Fringants, until January 3 at Théâtre Maisonneuve.

Another must: Garou solo, from December 27 to January 4 at the Cinquième Salle, where the singer-in-residence at Place des Arts presents an intimate and cinematic show looking back on his 30-year career.

Also at the Cinquième Salle, on December 19, Claude Meunier hits the stage with La Famille Denuy for an improbable neo-western cabaret, something halfway between a concert and a comedy show.

And finally, on December 13 and 14 at the Maison symphonique, the Orchestre Métropolitain celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the legendary album Neiges by André Gagnon, who passed away five years ago, with a tribute concert combining classical and popular music.

Once again, this year, Place des Arts is proving that it’s the ideal gathering place to celebrate the most magical time of the year!

So, get swept up in the excitement, come thrill to the shows, and discover why Place des Arts is truly the holiday destination in Montreal.

Explore our holiday programming!