Welcome to 2025, Montreal. It's gonna be a big one, we can feel it.

Then again, every year's a big year full of promising changes, but after we did our annual review of all the headlines throughout 2024, we saw a lot of promised developments for the city: Big laws were passed, big developments are on the way, monuments will be built (we hope, anyway), the ground will be broken on huge projects like new neighbourhoods and airports... it's a lot.

But that's not the only reason we spend a ridiculous amount of time gathering up all the headlines of the past year—we do it because the only way to know where you're going is to know where you've been.

We hope you'll take stock with us, and that you can look forward to times that will bring you prosperity, joy, and good times that bring you closer together with your fellow Montrealers.

As for all of us at The Main, we want to thank you again for coming along on this journey with us. Here's to another 12 months of in-depth storytelling and making the most out of every second in this town. ❤️

Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Thursday

🎬 Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Xavier Dolan’s Mommy with the last special screening at Cinéma Moderne.

🎞️ The PHI Centre highlights the new album Wild God, featuring exclusive audio of Nick Cave’s Q&A moments and behind-the-scenes insights with the Bad Seeds.

🎨 The CANULAR exhibition at Usine 106U showcases the eclectic works of 39 visual artists, featuring hallucinogenic paintings, kinetic sculptures, and more.

Friday

🎙️ Catch Comedy Central’s Pat Burtscher live at The Comedy Nest, featuring opening acts and guest performances each night in this must-see 90-minute comedy event.

🐞 It's the last weekend to see the insect-inspired acrobatics and love story of Cirque du Soleil’s OVO, running at Centre Bell until January 5.

🤠 Join Bottes & Whiskey Mont-Royal at 8 PM for a free line dancing class—perfect for kicking off your 2025 resolutions or simply trying something new and fun.

🏒 Catch the Rocket de Laval in action at Place Bell when they play the Abbotsford Canucks.

Saturday

🎤 Ring in the New Year at the Po-ho-ho-etry Slam with Throw Poetry Collective and Be Wyrd, featuring two rounds of poetry and a dance party.

🖼️ ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ Uummaqutik: Essence of Life at the MMFA showcases Inuit art through prints, sculptures, and installations curated with Inuk artist asinnajaq.

Sunday

💃 Join the Barrelhouse Club at Pub West Shefford for a free beginner dance class at 7 PM, followed by social dancing starting at 8 PM.

🎷 Catch an evening of fresh jazz at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill, featuring Sophianne Girard and her quartet performing reworked original pieces.

Start 2025 with free & healthy groceries 🛒

As a reader of The Main, you’re eligible for a free $40+ grocery basket! All you need to cover is a $6 delivery fee.

How? We’ve partnered with Lufa Farms to bring fresh, sustainable groceries directly to your door. Bonus: Your first basket will have everything you need to make an awesome BLT.

Don’t miss out—baskets are available while supplies last.

Stay tuned for the full scoop on the Mon Lapin team's new spot, Rotisserie La Lune. | Photograph: Scott Usheroff / @cravingcurator

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL: THE RECAP EDITION 👀

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

...With New Year's Day falling on the day before our weekly Bulletin, a lot of restaurants are taking a well-deserved break. That said, we've got a handful of events to check out, as well as some 2024 retrospectives from local writers, photographers, creatives, and influencers as well.

Celebrate artist Sophie Latouche’s birthday this Friday at Polari: Festivities kick off at 8 PM with DJ Émile spinning the tunes.

Tavern on the Square invites you to start the New Year with them, open for dinner service on January 2, 3, and 4.

Poincaré Chinatown kicks off the new year by hosting the Lagers des Lagers on January 4th, where Montréal’s top breweries compete for lager supremacy.

Which restaurants caught locals' attention in 2024? We asked a bunch of writers, influencers, photographers, critics, and more. Read more.

From perfect martinis to hidden speakeasies and whisky cocktails that "are pure poetry", these bars defined locals' nights in 2024. Read more.

We had a lot of exciting openings and heartbreaking closures this year in the restaurant and bar scene—celebrate these new arrivals and reminisce about those now gone. Read more.

Big questions: What will Montreal's hospitality scene look like in 2025? Who's likely going to be listed on the upcoming Michelin Guide? Read more.

Support local businesses in the new year 👇

Photograph: Alison Slattery / @twofoodphotographers

Montreal’s top-rated restaurants excel at creating nights to remember. Why not support them while enjoying what they do best with digital gift cards from TREATER?

Select a restaurant, choose an amount you want to offer, and enjoy the experience.

Best of all? TREATER gift cards do not expire and can be redeemed at any of their 75+ partner restaurants.

Explore your options

Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

A new year brings a refresh to our list of the best new restaurants in Montreal; spoiler alert, there's more to discover than you think. Read more.

2024 was a roller coaster: Major headlines tackled everything from housing affordability and climate resilience to linguistic battles and cultural preservation. Read more.

We've got a resolution for you: Get educated about the latest in the Montreal design and fashion scenes. The bonus is that we collected a bunch to start with. Read more.

Take stock of the fallen with this thorough list of bars and restaurants that closed during the past year. Read more.

A new year of optimism: Le Devoir asked readers to chime in about the stuff they love about Montreal, and it's all good feels. Read more.

Or nauseous optimism: Toula Drimonis writes on how the new year's rising tide of collective angst can only be met with uneasy hope. Read more.

We dodged a green Christmas, but only for so long; unseasonably warm weather is screwing with our identity in colder months. Read more.

Felt that shake last week? Montreal's one of Quebec's highest earthquake risk zones, and details about that latest shake-up have come out. Read more.

We wouldn't normally talk up recycling, but damn, the expansion of stuff you can toss in the bin is getting a big expansion this new year. Read more.

Quebec needs people to run for local offices because everyone quits after they start... Wait, that doesn't sound good. Read more.

Saint-Laurent Boulevard gets international attention as where you need to go for all your secondhand shopping needs. Read more.

Want to sponsor this newsletter, or know someone who would?

Reach thousands of Montrealers and support our content at the same time: Contact us for more info.

And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

If ever you catch something we should know, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram.

👋 Masthead: Philip Tabah, Founder & Head of Creative / Jean-Philippe Lauzon, Co-Founder & Head of Tech / Daniel Bromberg, Co-Founder & Head of Operations / JP Karwacki, Managing Editor / Amber Spector, Social Media Manager