DEC 22, 23 & DEC 26-30

7:30pm Cirque du Soleil DRALION @ Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal. Cirque du Soleil’s touring production, Dralion, returns to Montreal for the third time in its 12 year run. The show’s “East-meets-West” theme combines elements of traditional Chinese circus with Western contemporary circus. This “mega-spectacle” features trampoline acts, contortionists, Chinese yo-yo performances and more. Tickets starting at $62.

THURSDAY DEC 22

7pm & 10pm KIDNAPPER KHRISTMAS SHOWKASE @ The Sparrow Upstairs, 5322 St Laurent. Now, more than ever, it is important to remember the true meaning of Khristmas. On December 22nd, in the hallowed halls of Sparrow Upstairs, Montreal’s most storied sketch comedy troupe, Kidnapper Films, reunites after a four year hiatus to celebrate what the media has dubbed “Christianity’s answer to Hanukkah and Ramadan.” It’s called the Yuletide, ever heard of it? With very Special Guests Kathy and Amy (or Amy and Kathy), along with some special surprises, and brand-spanking new videos and sketches for you to feast upon.

Shows at 7pm and 10pm with a full blown Khristmas party at Sparrow Downstairs (5322 St. Laurent) beginning at 11:30. $10 at the door, available at Sparrow. All proceeds go to Dans La Rue.

10pm Eat to the Beat @ Nouveau Palais, 281 Bernard Ouest. Cadence Weapon’s weekly Thursday night residence at Mile End diner Nouveau Palais. Spinning platters of funk, R&B, soul, rap, and futuristic club served alongside Nouveau Palais’s banging midnight menu and $5 gin and juice. No cover. Till 3am.

FRIDAY DEC 23

10pm A Very Disco Noel @ Velvet, 426 Saint-Gabriel. A Disco Christmas with Velvet Friday residents Confessions: Wilcox & Promise (Pon Le Disco/Mtl) and Victor Bongiovani (BootyBakery/TouchUnlimited/Fr). Hosted by DL Jones & Jordan Mae Antoinette. Free before midnight, 10$ after.

SUNDAY DEC 25

Jewish Chinese Christmas @ Various Chinatown Locations. For those of us who associate this day with Schezwan, not St Nick, the debate continues for the best place to enjoy a Chinese feast on Dec 25. Unfortunately, ex-Montrealer Noah Bernamoff’s “traditional Jewish Christmas a.k.a a Chinese feast” at Mile End, his Montreal-style deli in Brooklyn, is probably too far a trek for most. Play it safe, and head to Chinatown.