WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14

7pm. Bicycle Winterizing Workshop @ The Flat Bike Collective, 3480 McTavish, Room B02. Why pack away your two wheels just because the snow is coming (or so they say)? Check out this great workshop for tips on winter bike riding – how to dress, how to ride, and how to keep your bike in peak condition. PWYC ($5 donations suggested). Space is limited, RSVP at internal.lpvr@gmail.com. Until 9pm.

THUSDAY DECEMBER 15

10pm. MOTORTOWN: Christmas Edition @ Blizzarts, 3956A St-Laurent. Grab your hottest Christmas sweater and/or hat, and head over for a Mo-Town-jive inspired dance party! DJ Guilty and A-Rock will keep the party going. Free before 11.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 17 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 18

CEASE Holiday Flea Market @ Fresh Paint Gallery, 180 St-Catherine East. Why spend your weekend rushing around crowded shopping centres? Montreal art collective CEASE host their annual holiday flea market, featuring vendors of photos, illustrations, knits, t-shirts, jewellery and more. Gift-wrappers will also be on hand (because they know you’re lazy). Cash only! 10am to 6pm each day.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 17

8pm. Grumpy’s Annual Holiday Piss-Up @ Grumpy’s Bar, 1242 Bishop. Possibly the best Christmas party in Montreal, the annual Grumpy’s Holiday Piss-Up gives us the chance to fraternize with our favourite Grumpy’s bartenders and assorted characters. Food will be served (though it goes quickly!) and drinks will be $3 for three hours, from 9pm until midnight. A wonderful parade of musical regulars will also take to the stage in the spirit of the season! Free entry.

8pm. Karkwa @ Métropolis, 59 St-Catherine East. Montreal indie rock boys Karkwa will light up the Métropolis stage with their latest album ‘Le chemins de verres’, which won the 2010 Polaris Music Prize! Tickets are between $27 and $30 and can be purchased here.

10pm. Guilty Pleasure/Festivus Spectacular @ The Blue Dog Motel, 3958 St-Laurent. This is the last Saturday you have to party before Christmas and New Year’s Eve events kick-in! Don’t waste a minute – celebrate with the $8 tall-can of PBR + shot of whiskey special at Blue Dog! This festive night will feature the best of the 80s and 90s with DJ James Krown.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18

10pm. Funniest Friends @ Theatre St-Catherine, 264 St-Catherine East. Chill out from holiday shopping and the (who are we kidding) massively slack, approaching pre-Christmas work-week with comedy, of course! Join Christophe Davidsonand his funniest friendsDeAnne Smith, Rodney Ramsay, Christopher Betts, Kirsten Rasmussen, Nick Brazao and Massimo. PWYC (suggested donation of $5). Until 1am.