Feeling inspired by the Holiday season? On a quest to find the perfect outing, fun activity or gift for your loved ones? This week, Gen’s Delights proposes a few festive activities and related thematic shopping destination experiences that are near or even a day trip or two away from Montreal!
Pressed for time? Searching for locally made gifts? Here is what’s Happening in Montreal:
BREF – It’s Nordic! Pop-up design store
If you are looking for a unique gift with Nordic flair, look no further: From November 23rd to the 29th of December, discover exclusive, locally made gourmet products, decorations, beauty and fashion accessories all specially curated by co-owners Maude and Cynthia, around a magnificent Nordic theme at their boutique gallery: Bref.
Expect to find cleansing Sapidity Birch Water, paraben free body butter by Énamour , Minimalistic Korean inspired office clothes by Qéiko, practical kitchen objects and even colorful truffle chocolates confections by Lecavalier Petrone among many other unique design items for sale.
Come in to discover, browse and even discuss with these two dynamic and creative women around a warm cup of tea and learn more about their ephemeral boutique concept.
BREF: 261 Bernard Ouest
Nutcracker Market:
This Thursday, Les Grands Ballets’ Nutcracker Market will be back again this year for its 8th annual edition, at Montréal’s Palais des Congrès.
The central walkway of the congress center will be lined with over a hundred vendors ranging from fine art and gourmet artisans, service and activities coordinators and other festive exhibitors.
The market is open to all visitors from Thursday, November 30th to Sunday, December 10th, 2017.
Visitors with kids will be happy to see on site some of the memorable cast characters from the beloved Nutcracker tale as well as to sample the numerous gourmet foods and products on sale.
You will also find the perfect gift for loved ones while supporting a good cause: 10% of exhibitors’ proceeds and all revenue earned by Les Grands Ballets during the event will go directly to the Nutcracker Fund for Children.
For more information on opening hours of the Nutcracker market please visit: HERE
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train:
This free, annual Christmas event welcomes you and your family to marvel at a fully lighted 300 meters long train composed of fifteen train cars decorated with Christmas lights.
One of the cars has been converted into a mobile stage upon which a musical rock show of about 30 minutes is presented to the festive crowd who celebrate while sipping free, distributed hot chocolate! Numerous food trucks will be on site for those who wish to purchase snacks and refreshments.
The event welcomes all guests to bring non-perishable, healthy food items that will be redistributed to food banks.
The train will stop in Beaconsfield and Montreal West on November 26th and several other places in Canada and in the States … Please see link below for more details:
http://www.cpr.ca/holiday-train/canada
| Montreal West | AMT station-Montreal-Ouest, Chemin Broughton | 6:35 PM | 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM | Colin James, Jonathan Roy and Emma-Lee |
| Beaconsfield | Beaconsfield AMT commuter station | 8:00 PM | 8:15 PM – 8:45 PM |
Passion: Hockey
For millions of fans, Hockey is more than just a game: it’s a true passion!
From November 24th, 2017 to March 11th, 2018 Montreal’s archaeology museum, Pointe-à-Callière will present Passion: hockey an exhibition that celebrates the NHL’s centennial as well as the 125th anniversary of the Stanley Cup and the Montréal Canadiens.
The beloved winter sport holds a special place in fans’ hearts – and in the history of Montreal and Canada as a whole. Visitors can visit the different exhibits, see rare collectibles and original jerseys and equipment, try their hand at an interactive workshop and learn how hockey has evolved and shaped society since the 19th century.
At the end of your visit, be sure to visit the Museum Shop that holds a variety of budget friendly hockey themed souvenirs, sure to please the young, old and even the most avid fans of the sport!
For more information please visit the museum’s main site: HERE
Outside of Montreal:
Need to get out of the city to find inspiration?
KING of ROCK ‘N ROLL: Elvis Impersonator Show and contest!
For all music lovers, you are invited this Sunday to experience an unprecedented musical competition and tribute to the Rock ‘N Roll King: – ELVIS PRESLEY!
Marielle Binette, owner of the Resto Bar “The King Of Rock N Roll” situated in the heart of Saint-Eustache, invites you to experience a spectacular fundraising dinner / exhibitor show that reunites participants and vendors from all over Ontario, Quebec and the United States to form the biggest Elvis impersonator competition in Quebec!
The event also commemorate the 40th death anniversary of the heartthrob legend, whose music and dance moves set millions of fans hearts aflame!
From 11am to 7 pm, expect a full day of lively activities, including make-up workshops, stage performances, costume contests, exclusive collectible item vendors and a lively dinner show with musical and dance entertainment from over 20 performers and guest stars including Sylvain Roussy Luc Bouffars and Michel Brousseau!
Semi-finale: 2 pm / Finale: 7pm
Chevaliers de Colomb
109 Saint-Nicolas
St-Eustache
For more information on this unique musical tribute event please call Marielle at 438-931-0000
or visit the event’s Facebook page: HERE
Stay overnight at Parc Omega
Considered by many as one of the most beautiful and unique nature theme parks in the Province, at Parc Omega you can observe a number of species of wild animals living free in their natural habitat year-round. The park is always reinventing itself with the addition of fascinating facilities, overnight housing and various activities for all ages.
Situated only an hour and thirty minutes away from Montreal in Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours, Quebec (just 5 minutes north of Montebello). The park boasts an impressive 15-km of trail roads that meanders through a territory of 2200 acres of varying landscapes that form a natural habitat for its inhabitants: free roaming deer, wolves, black bears, wild boars, elk and many more!
Tune your car radio to 90.1 FM and embark on a unique photo safari in the comfort of your own car. Bus tours with an experienced and passionate guide (such as Parc Omega’s technical Director & spokesperson Serge Lussier) are also available upon request with reservations.
All activities are accessible with a single pass admission. The park also offers three walking trails, playgrounds, First Nations totem pole exhibit, picnic tables and an interactive wolf and birds of prey animal show that will enrich your experience at the Park.
At the Discovery center, families with young children can enjoy the play area, panoramic view restaurant and shop for all animal themed household decorative items, jewelry, companion plush toys as well as purchase the all – important bags of fresh carrots to feed the hungry animals on site!
One of the latest addition to the park is a gorgeous log cabin called the “lumberjack camp” that houses a mini snack bar, a souvenir shop as well as a stunning suspended birch canoe that pays tribute to the legend of ‘La Chasse-Galerie’ also known as “The Bewitched Canoe” or “The Flying Canoe“: a popular French-Canadian tale of lumberjacks who make a pact with the Devil.
For a truly immersive experience, consider spending a night in one of their on-site accommodations: Prospector cabins, log houses, tipi, Wi- tents and even a house on stilts!
For more information on the Park, hours and accommodations please visit:
Parc Omega http://www.parcomega.ca/en/
La Fabuleuse: A spectacular Broadway in the heart of Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean.
For those who adore mesmerizing musical shows, I highly recommend visiting the historical city of Saguenay, four hours away from Montreal, and book tickets to see The Fabulous History of a Kingdom: A major theatrical production depicting regional history in all its glory!
Performed on the largest stage in Quebec, the show is currently celebrating its 31st anniversary with a full cast of over 150 volunteer performers representing over 1600 roles of the people who contributed to the historical development of Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean.
You will discover the lives of the First Nations tribes living on the banks of the Great River and their first encounters with explorers Jacques Cartier and Champlain. Get whisked into the fiery battle of the Plains of Abraham. See the reenactment of rural life in Quebec with its settlers, loggers and nobles as well. Let yourself be swept away by the whirlwind of the changing seasons with Christmas Eve scenes, warm bon fires and regional celebrations.
Your senses will be transported with the help of breathtaking visuals and sound enhanced by multimedia filled scenic deployments including live horses, animals, fire, a cascading water deluge, cannon shots and multiple actors performing skilled traditional songs and epic dance moves!
Although most of the representations are in French, a few select showings are in English
For more information on this wonderful musical and show times please visit: HERE
La Fabuleuse : Théâtre du Palais Municipal, 1831, 6ième Avenue., Saguenay, G7B 1S1
For a bit of Holiday Shopping:
From expansive forests to the impressionable fjords, The Saguenay region is visually breathtaking. Before leaving, you may want to bring home a souvenir that will reflect the beauty and culture of the region.
Many artist-based locations are available to purchase unique works of art. I recommend taking the Route des Métiers d’Art (route of the artisans), or visit one of the regions many venues, or art centers that highlights contemporary artists.
One such artisan is Jewelry maker Frederic Bergeron who produces original, precious metal designs in which amazonite, a regional, rare mineral blue stone, is highlighted:
Another local artist that has left her mark in the Saguenay arts scene with her stunning decorative glass sculpture creations and blown glass jewelry is Chicoutimi based artist Caroline Theriault and her inVitro glass studio.
If leather work is more your thing, please be sure to check out the intricate belts, bags and sculptural designs from artisan Roger Savard from Bout de Peau.
