As a personal advocate of going on dates to the Old Port, this holiday season gives you and your lover yet another reason to pay a visit to the quays: the Old Montreal Holiday Extravaganza will be glittering and fa-la-la-ing all December long, until the New Year ball drops. Head over to the infamous Quays of the Old Port outdoor skating rink (open as of December 4), which runs 1.5 km at full ice-ring length, offering beautiful views of Old Port, the St. Lawrence and the lights of downtown Montreal – weather always permitting, of course. Or, head over to ‘Bota Bota’ – this former five-bridge ferryboat has been moored at the Quays and transformed into a veritable floating spa, offering yoga and meditation rooms, saunas and numerous lovely spa and massage treatments, including a foot rub for first-time skaters.

If all else fails, bundle up, grab a thermos of hot chocolate and a festival map, and wander the cobblestone. Several fully-decorated (and quite large) Christmas trees have been sprinkled around Old Montreal, in addition to many beautifully arranged nativity scenes. A genuine Christmas-in-Quebec experience – no scrooges allowed!

Full activity guide here.

~ Tyler Yank