Your essential guide to Montréal en Lumière 2026

Among worldwide events for cold-weather culture worth experiencing in a lifetime, Montréal en Lumière—and the all-night entertainment of Nuit Blanche it bookends—reign supreme. Now in its 27th edition, this festival has become one of the largest of its kind in the world, cementing both the city’s status as a global cultural hub and its reputation for legendary hospitality.

Best of all, it reinvents itself every year: This Montréal en Lumière 2026 guide features more to do, eat, see, and drink than before as the event continues a proud tradition of winter festivals in Montreal dating back to the first winter carnival in 1883.

It only takes a moment spent experiencing how it makes downtown Montreal come alive with food and drink, art and culture, and outdoor hibernal fun to see just how good of a time can be had in this city—no matter the season.

This year, Montréal en Lumière takes place from February 27 to March 9, in the city’s cultural district Quartier des Spectacles, and gastronomic programming starts a bit earlier on February 20. Its accompanying all-night citywide arts and culture event Nuit Blanche happens one night only on February 28.

Here’s everything a festival-goer needs to know, inside and out.

Let’s eat: Dining options at Montréal en Lumière

Montréal en Lumière kicks off ‘early’ on February 20 with gastronomic programming that showcases tasting menus and elegant sessions in local restaurants and often featuring an international roster of chefs.

This year's theme, "A Taste of History: 65 Years of Montreal's Gastronomy," ties into the McCord Stewart Museum's current exhibition tracing the city's restaurant evolution from the 1960s to now. Expect menus that nod to the past with lost classics and foundational dishes that shaped how Montreal eats while still pushing the craft of food and drink forward.

The festival's citywide dining program—Programmation gourmande Banque Nationale and Air France Finest Tables—features over 80 restaurants with exclusive menus, four-hand collaborations, and wine-pairing evenings. Highlights include Daniel Boulud and Olivier Chaignon's seven-course kickoff with one of the Soirée Signatures de Haut Vol presented by Air France at Maison Boulud ($350), Au Pied de Cochon's first-ever festival appearance with Zac Gannat and Bar Nouveau, and accessible entry points like Blanc Bec's $35 sake-and-cheese aperitif at the ITHQ.

For the full restaurant-by-restaurant breakdown, see our curated dining guide for Montréal en Lumière 2026:

As for eating on the festival grounds when vendors and restaurants open to the public downtown on February 27? Quick note: Peak crowds tend to be around 6 to 8 p.m.; to avoid long lines, aim for earlier or later than those times.

Village Gourmand

Central to the festival’s food offerings, this heated gathering space brings together local and international talent, serving up exclusive festival dishes. Presented by Miele in collaboration with Radio-Canada, the Village Gourmand has been repurposed for 2026 with an expanded tent that now houses Bistro SAQ and a dedicated workshop and conference space. A new modular architectural structure inspired by Habitat 67—funded by the Quebec and Canadian governments along with Tourisme Montréal—gives the space a fresh visual identity.

The programming leans educational and participatory this year. Frèloca, a new nightly competition, pits students from Quebec's hotel schools against each other in culinary duels, with a winner crowned at festival's end. Daytime workshops feature Bernard Lavallée (the Urban Nutritionist) on the Montreal Melon, Wendat chef Anora Collier on Indigenous cuisine, Loounie (Caroline Huard) on plant-based cooking, and Les Chefs! winner Yoann Van Den Berg and longtime judge Pasquale Vari. The podcast "On est dans le jus" records two live episodes with surprise guests.

For quick bites, three pop-up counters serve charcuterie, Danny St-Pierre's pizza, and his new loaded frites.

Bistro SAQ – Wine & Cocktails

For festivalgoers looking to sip on Québec wines or low-ABV craft cocktails, Bistro SAQ is a must-visit for thoughtfully curated and festival-ready beverages. The 5 à 7 du Village runs nightly starting March 4.

Ice Cider Day

Quebec's signature cold-climate spirit gets its own celebration with a master class with a sommelier Michelle Bouffard, mixology and culinary workshops, opportunities to meet producers, and the Duel des Mixologues presented by SAQ on March 6.

Fondue at Chez Canton

Few things are better than fondue in the middle of winter. Chez Canton, a cozy pop-up on the second floor of Maison du Festival serving up broth fondue, making it the perfect place to warm up after a night of skating and exploring. This year, they're offering a budget-friendly menu ideal for families. Reservations via Libro, and walk-ins are welcome as well.

Drinks & Après-Skate @ Coors Light Bar

If you just want a casual drink, the Coors Light Bar has beer and winter cocktails to enjoy in a relaxed setting—a great stop between festival activities or post-skate at the Loop.

The Festival Experience: What to See & Do

Loto-Québec Skating Loop

One of the festival’s most unique attractions, the elevated Skating Loop lets you glide through the city skyline for free. It’s best to go during early afternoons or after 9 p.m. when the rink is less crowded. The Tim Hortons Skate Chalet offers rentals and a spot to lace up.

Capture all kinds of elevated views from the Skating Loop, the Place des Festivals light installations, inside the Funarium mirror maze, and the Ferris wheel.

Family-Friendly & School Break Activities (March 5–9, 2025)

Photograph: Frédérique Ménard-Aubin & Productions Novak

La Grande Roue Intuit TurboImpôt: Back by popular demand, the Ferris wheel returns with a new sponsor, offering elevated views of Place des Festivals and the Quartier des Spectacles.

Family-Friendly & Spring Break Activities: The Semaine de Relâche, presented by Baffin, runs from March 2 to 7 (Monday to Saturday) with a revamped schedule of free activities for all ages.

At the Village Gourmand: Catch Frèloca Junior with the Tablée des Chefs brigade, plus daytime cooking workshops by C'est moi le chef!

On the outdoor site: There’s always something to catch with roaming performers, giant illuminated puppets, oversized games, and multidisciplinary workshops. The Petit Train Télé-Québec also returns, along with Télé-Québec mascots, ice sculpture demonstrations, and circus workshops.

For aspiring musicians: You’ll want to attend the IGLOO LOOP DJ initiation workshops in the on-site igloo, plus La Relâche en chanson —a songwriting workshop for teens led by Antoine Corriveau and Virginie B in collaboration with the École nationale de la chanson that’s held on the second floor of Maison du Festival. Free registration online; spots are limited.

Ticketed family shows: Big top-level events include Disney on Ice: Jump In! at the Bell Centre (March 5 to 8), the immersive narrative L'homme qui plantait des arbres at Studio des 7 Doigts, and Pinocchio at Place des Arts' Cinquième Salle (March).

Light Installations, Music & Art

LUMINO, the Quartier des Spectacles' light art initiative, features two standout installations this year: "Le coffre à jouets dégivrés" by Ottomata and Doki on the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink, and "ChronoHarp" by Amigo & Amigo on the Promenade des Artistes—a sound-and-light harp that responds to touch.

Concerts & Shows: 2026 Lineup Highlights

Live music is a core part of Montréal en Lumière, and this year’s lineup is stacked with talent. There are free street performances, pop-up shows, and DJs at Place des Festivals throughout the festival.

At the Rogers DJ Station, international and local acts keep the energy going every night. Headliners include Harlem's Austin Millz (during Nuit Blanche), Berlin's melodic house producer Chris Luno, London's Taylah Elaine, digital-medieval techno phenomenon Perceval, and Qualité Motel—the party machine from the members of Valaire. Monsieur PY (Pierre-Yves Lord) hosts a day party, with additional sets from Le LOOP Famille, Ghetto Birds, Ronin, T.I.T.S., and Vibe Benders.

For ticketed indoor shows, the lineup spans hip-hop, rock, chanson, and electronic: Loud with Rymz and The Barr Brothers with Land of Talk at MTELUS; Robert Robert and K.Maro at Club Soda; Louis-Jean Cormier closing the festival at MTELUS; Lou-Adriane Cassidy (sold out); Feu! Chatterton; Sloan and kinji00 at Le Studio TD; Samm Henshaw at Le Ministère; and (LA)HORDE / Ballet national de Marseille at Théâtre Maisonneuve.

Nuit Blanche: Art, Music & Culture All Night Long

The legendary Nuit Blanche returns for one night only on February 28, 2026, offering a dusk-to-dawn cultural journey.

More than 100+ free events will be spread across the city, featuring art exhibits, live music, pop-up performances, and experimental installations as well as Brunchs en Lumière on March 1:

To note:

Transit: The metro runs all night to accommodate festivalgoers.
Food availability: Many restaurants and food stalls extend their hours, but some close earlier—see hours in our ‘Festival Essentials’ section below.
Line-ups & Tickets: Book early for all of the ticketed events you’re interested in, and arrive early at free events to avoid waiting out in the cold.

With world-class food, entertainment, and winter fun, Montréal en Lumière 2026 is shaping up to be another—if not more—spectacular edition of frost and lights.

Whether you're skating under the lights, indulging in once-in-a-lifetime dinners, or dancing through Nuit Blanche, the festival guarantees a one-of-a-kind winter experience.

Stay up-to-date with Montréal en Lumière’s official site, and download the festival’s app via the App Store or Google Play to help keep you oriented and booked.