The magic of the Christmas markets is back

What better way to soak up the magic of the holiday season than a visit to a Christmas market? Here are some suggestions, in town and in the region.

Véronique Larocque
Press

Quebec: the German Christmas market in Quebec is growing

Old Quebec takes on the air of a real Christmas tale at the end of the year. In addition to the usual places near the town hall, the German Christmas Market extends to Place D’Youville and Place d’Armes. Iconic decorative elements, like the luminous Weihnachtspyramide, are back, but new things are added, including an alpine village and Santa’s sleigh. Keep an eye out! The famous character was seen in the vicinity. In the charming wooden cabins distributed between the different sites, there are more than 90 exhibitors. Crafts, local products and German and European exclusives are part of their stocks. Peckish ? Typical German drinks and European-inspired comfort food are offered. Many activities for children are also planned, including a puppet theater.

From Thursday to Sunday, from November 25 to December 19, as well as December 20, 21, 22 and 23.

Visit the Quebec City German Christmas Market website

Charlevoix: the Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas Market full of music

The Festive! blows a festive air at the Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas Market. Thanks to a partnership between the two events, musical performances by DJ Champion, Socalled, De Temps Antan and Sara Dufour are on the program on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm, in the space “La bonne franquette”, where you can find also a bar service offering mulled wine, beer, coffee and snacks. “Throughout the day, we also have a musical program of local artists, choirs, various shows,” says Pierre-Laurent Salin de l’Étoile, of the Association des gens d’affaires de Baie-Saint-Paul. In the parking lot of the church, about twenty exhibitors from the region present their products to visitors. Need to warm up? Another twenty exhibitors await you nearby, inside the Paul-Médéric cultural crossroads.

November 26, 27 and 28 and December 3, 4 and 5.

Visit the Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas Market page

Montreal: renewal at the Grand Marché de Noël

After a few years of absence, the Grand Marché de Noël is back in downtown Montreal in a renewed format. “We are a new organization, so these are sets that are completely new. […] We are talking about thirty cabins in which exhibitors, artisans, local producers and artists will live, ”explains Line Basbous, general manager of La Lutinerie, promoter of the event. An Alsatian suburb and a churros factory have also been erected in the Quartier des spectacles, not to mention the essential Christmas tree, about thirty feet high. To liven up this ephemeral village, spontaneous musical and theatrical performances are planned at regular intervals. Do you love this type of event? Go to Jean-Talon and Atwater markets, where the magic of the holidays has also spread.

From Wednesday to Sunday until December 19; Monday to Sunday from December 20 to January 2 (closed on Saturdays December 25 and 1^er January).

Visit the Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal website

Montérégie: the Longueuil Christmas and Traditions Market is celebrating

It’s a year of celebration for the Longueuil Christmas and Traditions Market. In addition to celebrating the 15th anniversary of the event, the organizer, Métiers et traditions, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. A beer has been specially designed by the Longueuil microbrewery Le Barrage for the occasion. “La Trad” is offered in the “Chalet-Bar” area, a section with a large outdoor terrace where the famous pretzels from the market are also served. In St. Mark’s Park, some 70 exhibitors have settled in the fifty or so little houses that have been erected. Throughout the event, visitors can come across various spontaneous ambulatory activities. “We are going to have dancing, singing, a fire artist, musicians, street entertainers, Santa Claus, elves …”, lists Alexandra Saliba, from the Christmas Market and traditions of Longueuil. To add to the enchantment, an ephemeral work, created by artist Carole Simard-Laflamme, lights up the park.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, until December 19.

Visit the Longueuil Christmas and Traditions Market website

Lanaudière: well-behaved children at the Joliette Christmas Market

Does your child wonder if he has been good this year? Santa Claus at the Joliette Christmas Market will be happy to answer him by consulting the list of his huge book specially designed for the event, which is also celebrating its 15th anniversary.^e birthday. “We wanted to create magic even if the child cannot sit on Santa Claus [en raison des mesures sanitaires]. The child will still be able to have a discussion with him, ”explains Joanne Dubois, president of the Regroupement des Marchés de Noël du Québec. A few steps from Santa’s house, the Craftsmen’s Village and its wooden houses bring together some thirty exhibitors from the region. Nearby, Joliette Cathedral hosts shows and an exhibition of nativity scenes.

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until December 19, and from December 20 to 23.

Visit the Joliette Christmas Market website

Outaouais: a first edition for the Montebello Christmas Market

This year marks the first edition of the Montebello Christmas Market, which takes place inside and outside the Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours church. About thirty artists, artisans, producers and restaurateurs take part in the event. On site, the attention of visitors may be drawn to the huge inflatable igloo. Enter it! An area lounge waiting for you there. In another igloo, smaller this one, Santa Claus receives families and offers surprises to children. “Throughout the market, there will be a lot of activity. Background music, songwriters, a public storyteller and a conference on the Christmas holidays, ”says Isabelle Thom, development coordinator at the municipality of Montebello.

December 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12.

Visit the Montebello Christmas Market website

Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean: room for exhibitors at the Saguenay European Christmas Market

This year, the Saguenay European Christmas Market is showcasing exhibitors from the region. Visitors are invited to discover their products by walking among the thirty or so cabins erected on the Place du Citoyen, in the Chicoutimi borough. Notice to gourmets, the culinary offer is varied. “More than half of our exhibitors sell food products. We have chocolate, waffles, coffee, prepared meals, pastries, pizza, jams… ”, lists Monique Gauvin, of the Association des centers-ville de Chicoutimi. It’s also the perfect place to find little Christmas gifts, she adds. Despite COVID-19, more than 8,000 people participated in the event last year. “It was a record year,” notes Monique Gauvin, who hopes to see these figures repeat themselves once again.

From December 2 to 5.

Visit the Saguenay European Christmas Market page

With or without a vaccination passport?

Depending on the formula adopted by the organizers of each Christmas market, the vaccination passport is sometimes required to enter the site or access certain areas. Better to check the website of each event before going there. Note also that in order to comply with government requirements related to health measures, many markets have chosen not to disclose the precise schedule of shows and activities that will take place during their event.