Wich came first, Winter or Old Montreal?

Rich with History, Vibrant with Activity

Montreal Old Port is just that. The city’s historic port, used as early as 1611, stretches for over two kilometres along the St-Lawrence River in Old Montreal. Residents of the district’s M9-4 enjoy upscale living spaces in the very heart of history. Spending the season in this rich, historic hub of activity can mean confronting the coldest period of the year head-on and revelling in all the timelessness of the season.

Eat, Drink, and be Merry

The Old Port is home to some of Montreal’s best restaurants, offering fantastic local and international cuisine. Restaurant La Sauvagine, open since 1980, and located in a 150-year-old building, has been happily serving their loyal customers for more than a quarter of a century. The neighbourhood hosts also the Happening Gourmand event, where few restaurants scattered throughout Old Montreal offer special lunch and diner menus at great rates. The 9th edition is in full swing, from January 7th to February 7th.

Free your mind, and the rest will follow

Old Montreal boasts multiple top tier spas where you can really take a load off and escape from the stress of the season. Eliminate toxins, improve circulation, and strengthen your immune system at Bota Bota’s Nordic Baths or Le Spa Scandinave.

The Hottest events on Ice

The Old Port Skating Rink offers controlled-temperature ice no matter what the weather is like, offering the public a top quality skating experience, be it -40 or -2 outside. It’s also open from morning to night. Don’t have skates? They rent them too. And if that wasn’t cool enough for you, there is always music on for skaters to groove to and many various activities, lifting even the heaviest of cold feet!

Until February 25th, enjoy your pick from a number of “theme nights.” Rekindle or spark a flame (as the case may be), at Romance on Ice Tuesdays, roast marshmallows on an open fire at Warmth on Ice Wednesdays, or just enjoy the party with two-for-one beers, at DJ on Ice Thursdays.

Igloofest: let a DJ save your life

Celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year, the widely renowned Igloofest, a true Old Port tradition, unites thousands of electronic music fans and gets them dancing under the starry, snowy sky for four consecutive weekends, from January 14th to February 6th. The event features impressively icy decor, inspiring architectural projections, the best local and international DJs out there, and a unique winter wear competition, “Iglooswag.” This is hands-down one of the most popular winter events in the city. Got cabin fever? It’s time to put on your fluorescent pink one-piece snowsuit and your dancing boots.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away

If by some chance you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for amid the whirlwind of the Old Port winter celebrations, you can simply hop on the metro at Place des Arts station and get off at Parc Jean-Drapeau, just a few short stops away, for the Fête des Neiges de Montréal, now in it’s 33rd year! Taking place every weekend from January 16 to February 7, this popular family-friendly event is geared toward enjoying the outdoors, and boasts a wide range of activities. Take the Himalaya zip-line from the Biosphere down — about an 850-foot drop. Or, enjoy the Parc’s refrigerated skating path, equipped with skate rental areas. And after dark, enjoy a gorgeously lit-up winter view of the city center from afar.