This fun festival, to be held in its fully redesigned site at the heart of the vibrant Place des Festivals. From February 27 to March 9, gastronomy, music and skating take centre stage in an entirely free outdoor program, which includes special activities for the school break. The best of winter awaits you outside: let’s get together and turn up the heat downtown!

“Eating, dancing, staying active: Montréal en lumière is everything we love most! Download the festival app to make sure you don’t miss a thing: exciting shows, discoveries, delicious food and magical moments playing outside or skating on the Loto-Québec Skating Loop. I can’t wait to share my workshop with you on cooking with the air fryer in the brand-new Village gourmand!” – Alexandra Diaz, spokesperson for the 25th edition

Delicious Food

This year, the Montréal en Lumière outdoor site is more of a foodie paradise than ever, thanks to the all-new Village gourmand. At the friendly, heated venue where gastronomy is open to all, you can attend several culinary demonstrations (some with free tastings) given by renowned local and international chefs, including some with Michelin stars! The space will be inaugurated by none other than Chuck Hughes, followed by Danny St Pierre, Chef Oli (Olivier Louissaint), Lysanne O’Bomsawin, Amaury Bouhours (rising star at Paris’s Le Meurice restaurant) and French pastry chef Johanna LePape, to name but a few.

Well-known personalities such as Alexandra Diaz, Roses de Montréal goalkeeper, Gabrielle Lambert and Montréal Canadiens nutritionist Renée Racine, will also be featured on all manner of food-related topics. Don’t miss Loounie (Caroline Huard) who will be giving a workshop on the most common mistakes in vegan cooking and share her tips and tricks for avoiding the pitfalls and creating truly delicious dishes. In addition, renowned chef Pasquale Vari, a consultant and permanent judge on the Les Chefs! cooking show for the past 15 years, will take his turn to present a colourful workshop. Neapolitan pizza lovers will also have the chance to learn traditional techniques from chef Mirko D’Agata and leave with a signed Pizzéria NO.900 gift bag. See the full Village gourmand program.

To keep hunger at bay, Menu Extra will be on hand with an offering of local and accessible gastronomy, accompanied by outstanding wines, all orchestrated by talented chef Francis Blais, the winner of Top Chef Canada 2020.

That’s not all! The outdoor site offers a full range of food options. Taste local products in our huts serving local cheeses and alcohols, check out the pop-up restaurant Chez Canton to enjoy a good fondue or a comforting soup, or make your way to the bistro SAQ where fun and food go hand in hand with a vast selection of wines and low-alcohol spirits. Foodies can also enjoy a delicious local cider served hot or cold at Dublin’s Pub or relax over a beer or soft drink at the chilled-out Coors Light Bar.

THE 2025 GASTRONOMY PROGRAM IN FIGURES
15 Michelin Stars, including 2 Green Stars
60+ participating restaurants
70% female chefs
90+ guests from 8 different countries—a festival record!
1 interactive map of Air France Finest Tables

Great Shows

In the intimate setting of the Gesù theatre, Pierre Lapointe will present his latest opus, Dix chansons démodées pour ceux qui ont le cœur abîmé, and Jonathan Roy will launch his new album Symphony of doubts. The recent leader of rap québ music, Souldia is making a stop at MTELUS, while Montréal pop-electro duo Milk & Bone will make a long-awaited comeback, Leif Vollebekk’s folk music draw you into its spell, and Rita Baga will revisit the greatest hits of the 80s and perform songs from her first original album, due for release in winter 2025. Plus, there will be appearances by artists Nik Bärtsch, Inhaler, MARO & NASAYA and Federico Albanese. This eclectic programming will light up a whole constellation of Quartier des Spectacles venues. Full list of indoor shows

Winter Fun

Enjoy your favourite attractions and gathering places, including the Loto-Québec Skating Loop and its Chalet de patin Tim Hortons. Innovative and exclusive to Montréal en Lumière, this impressive aerial skating rink will continue to offer breathtaking views of the cityscape. Skates at the ready!

To soak in the lights, drop by the Foyer Loto-Québec to try out its unique interactive game or The National Bank FUNarium, a luminescent maze with infinite mirrors as well as a disco ball! Continue your light-up journey through the installation NŏKS are coming to town, a unique world created by Montréal-based company Lucion. Finally, discover LUMINO, a collection of participative, thought-provoking and luminous installations and video projections, found both indoors and out around downtown and the Quartier des Spectacles.

Feel like a game? Step inside The Énergir Cube and test your knowledge with our interactive quiz, or take part in a Timbit hunt across the site and trigger The Timbit Symphony, a fun immersive experience.

For information more information, visit: www.montrealenlumiere.com